2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Topics relating to Lift Kits, Suspension, Steering...

Moderator: volvite

stugry
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 am

2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby stugry » Thu Sep 15, 2022 9:50 pm

The entire front suspension needs replaced due to serious rust and squeaking issues. I'll be going with a modest 2" 5100 lift. Since I need to replace the upper and lower control arms anyway im wondering if it's worth getting upgraded/ performance UCAs and LCAs. The price difference is substantial so I'd rather not get upgraded control arms if they aren't needed. This vehicle is used for light farm work and is also a dailey driver. I.havent dug too far into the options for the rear buy I'd appreciate any advice on those control arms too. Im currently looking at the alldog UCAs($440 pair), mevotech CMS301141($440 pair), or something along the lines of the mevotech CMS30122 ($150 pair). The first two are adjustable but with only 2" do I need that or could any alignment issues be solved with adjustable bolts etc.?


User avatar
AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Thu Sep 15, 2022 11:51 pm

stugry wrote:
Thu Sep 15, 2022 9:50 pm
The entire front suspension needs replaced due to serious rust and squeaking issues. I'll be going with a modest 2" 5100 lift. Since I need to replace the upper and lower control arms anyway im wondering if it's worth getting upgraded/ performance UCAs and LCAs. The price difference is substantial so I'd rather not get upgraded control arms if they aren't needed. This vehicle is used for light farm work and is also a dailey driver. I.havent dug too far into the options for the rear buy I'd appreciate any advice on those control arms too. Im currently looking at the alldog UCAs($440 pair), mevotech CMS301141($440 pair), or something along the lines of the mevotech CMS30122 ($150 pair). The first two are adjustable but with only 2" do I need that or could any alignment issues be solved with adjustable bolts etc.?
Go with their Koni kit. It’s what I did. It’s great. Weeee bit squeaky but eights fantastic with great handling. Align in the rear shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have the adjustment bolts the front she get pretty close. The front should get pretty close. If you get upper control arms it should make it possible to get fully in spec. But the rest of that stuff I wouldn’t bother with personally.


stugry
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 am

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby stugry » Fri Sep 16, 2022 5:34 am

In the product description for that setup they recommend using their UCAs.

User avatar
AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Fri Sep 16, 2022 7:19 am

stugry wrote:
Fri Sep 16, 2022 5:34 am
In the product description for that setup they recommend using their UCAs.
I spoke with them over the phone. They are only necessary if you add the spacers. They also pointed me away from the fox and bilstein kit and to the Koni kit.

stugry
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 am

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby stugry » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:18 am

I spoke with them over the phone. They are only necessary if you add the spacers. They also pointed me away from the fox and bilstein kit and to the Koni kit.
[/quote]

Sounds like I can spare some money and just get basic OEM style new UCAs. Thanks

User avatar
AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:26 am

Your milage may vary of course but here is my alignment numbers. You can see that it wouldn't hurt to have an extra 1 to .5 degrees of Camber. but it drives well like this.
IMG_9574.jpg

silverarrow27
Posts: 414
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
Location: Banning, CA

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby silverarrow27 » Sat Sep 17, 2022 7:30 am

You haven't mentioned if you're sticking with stock tire sizes. If you move up to 33" tires, I suggest you go with aftermarket UCAs that add a little caster.

The rear seems to be different for everyone, but the end solution always tend to be adjustable bushings for the rear UCA or gussets welded on to your rear control arms wherever you may need additional adjustment outside of what your eccentric bolts will allow.

stugry
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 am

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby stugry » Sat Sep 17, 2022 8:03 am

silverarrow27 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 7:30 am
You haven't mentioned if you're sticking with stock tire sizes. If you move up to 33" tires, I suggest you go with aftermarket UCAs that add a little caster.

The rear seems to be different for everyone, but the end solution always tend to be adjustable bushings for the rear UCA or gussets welded on to your rear control arms wherever you may need additional adjustment outside of what your eccentric bolts will allow.
I've had 265/85 on the stock 18s for about a year now with stock suspension. I think that comes out to about 32.5" and I really like the look so I'll be keeping a similar size in the future. Is the additional caster something that can be handled by the adjustable control arm bolts on the OEM control arms?

User avatar
AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Sat Sep 17, 2022 10:11 am

That’s beyond the scope of my knowledge, but I think it would require offset bushings and I personally don’t like offset bushings.

silverarrow27
Posts: 414
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
Location: Banning, CA

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby silverarrow27 » Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:48 pm

stugry wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 8:03 am
silverarrow27 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 7:30 am
You haven't mentioned if you're sticking with stock tire sizes. If you move up to 33" tires, I suggest you go with aftermarket UCAs that add a little caster.

The rear seems to be different for everyone, but the end solution always tend to be adjustable bushings for the rear UCA or gussets welded on to your rear control arms wherever you may need additional adjustment outside of what your eccentric bolts will allow.
I've had 265/85 on the stock 18s for about a year now with stock suspension. I think that comes out to about 32.5" and I really like the look so I'll be keeping a similar size in the future. Is the additional caster something that can be handled by the adjustable control arm bolts on the OEM control arms?
As far as I know, aftermarket UCAs give you a static increased caster or go with an adjustable UCA like the SPC where you can play with it.

265/85/18 comes out to be 35.74". I've had 33s, 35s, and 37s...no way you're going to be running anything past a 33" on stock suspension and without cutting/trimming.

stugry
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 am

Re: 2" lift UCA question 2008 V8

Postby stugry » Sat Sep 17, 2022 2:02 pm

silverarrow27 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:48 pm
stugry wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 8:03 am
silverarrow27 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 7:30 am
You haven't mentioned if you're sticking with stock tire sizes. If you move up to 33" tires, I suggest you go with aftermarket UCAs that add a little caster.

The rear seems to be different for everyone, but the end solution always tend to be adjustable bushings for the rear UCA or gussets welded on to your rear control arms wherever you may need additional adjustment outside of what your eccentric bolts will allow.
I've had 265/85 on the stock 18s for about a year now with stock suspension. I think that comes out to about 32.5" and I really like the look so I'll be keeping a similar size in the future. Is the additional caster something that can be handled by the adjustable control arm bolts on the OEM control arms?
As far as I know, aftermarket UCAs give you a static increased caster or go with an adjustable UCA like the SPC where you can play with it.

265/85/18 comes out to be 35.74". I've had 33s, 35s, and 37s...no way you're going to be running anything past a 33" on stock suspension and without cutting/trimming.
It tore the wheel well liner up but fits just fine otherwise. It's been a farm vehicle for years so the liner was already messed up anyway.


Return to “R51 Suspension and Steering”