Why replace UCAs?

[rob7765]

So I am a newbie to Raptors... had a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler before this.

Why are people replacing their UCSs on the Raptor? Are they stronger, longer, adjustable?

In the Jeep world, people replaced them because they were stronger and adjustable and the higher you lifted your Jeep the longer the arms needed to be. But I see people replacing their stock ones on Raptors without really lifting the vehicle (other than 2" perch adjustment).

The ones on the Raptor seem pretty good. I was just wondering.

 

[Hockster]

The stock ones are really good unless you are running hard off road most of the time... Aftermarkets are stronger and work better, give you a better feel but they dont last as long... For me if I get to the point that I am running off road more than I am on road ill make the upgrade not until

 

[treypal]

What he said. The uniballs will wear out at 20-40k miles.

 

[BIRDMAN]

the ICON upper arms are adjustable so when raising height whether with a perch mod or 3.0 shock install you can still retain the factory wheel track width while staying within camber spec. you can also use the adjustments to push the caster forward, allowing more clearance for tires toward the rear of the wheel well. whether or not they are stronger is hard to say but we'd like to think so.

 

[rob7765]

Ok, this makes the most sense.^^ I didn't realize they were adjustable.

Thanks everyone for their explanation.

 

[BlackMamba]

Ok, this makes the most sense.^^ I didn't realize they were adjustable.

Thanks everyone for their explanation.

Not all aftermarket UCAs are adjustable. Outlaw and ICON have threaded ends that allow for adjustment. Some just have fixed ends.

Another consideration. Apparently, the OEM UCAs put unnecessary stress on the ear of the spindle, which can lead to bending/twisting of the ear and alignment issues. I read this on the internet, so it must be true.

 

[Hockster]

and you dont need aftermarkets to get a factory spec alignment. I have Icons all around and was able to easily get to factory spec alignment... -.5 camber and 4.0 caster right side and 3.7 left side to help with road crown pull

 

[BIRDMAN]

and you dont need aftermarkets to get a factory spec alignment. I have Icons all around and was able to easily get to factory spec alignment... -.5 camber and 4.0 caster right side and 3.7 left side to help with road crown pull

Correct but at the expense of pulling your lower control arms in and losing wheel track width. I personally don't like the stance moving up in height creates. Furthermore, the adjustable arms allow for a more positive caster setting to help move the tire away from the firewall thus creating more clearance against rubbing with a larger diameter tire. Wheel return after a turn improves as well.

I adjusted my ICON UCA's slightly longer than stock and when combined with the height increase I had a positive camber after installation. We then pulled the lowers out all the way to meet the uppers and got the camber perfect *with* a nearly stock track width and stance at just below "top perch" height.

We adjusted to 5.8 caster...not sure how much difference that equates to in inches but guessing about 3/8-1/2"?

For me, being able to keep the tire out of the wheel well and slightly forward has the benefits of looks and functionality against rubbing on full lock with an aggressive 35" tire.

None of the above is possible with stock UCAs and at the end of the day the billet arms look bossssss
Sent from my thumbs using Tapatalk 2

 

[MTUH3]

Correct but at the expense of pulling your lower control arms in and losing wheel track width. I personally don't like the stance moving up in height creates. Furthermore, the adjustable arms allow for a more positive caster setting to help move the tire away from the firewall thus creating more clearance against rubbing with a larger diameter tire. Wheel return after a turn improves as well.

I adjusted my ICON UCA's slightly longer than stock and when combined with the height increase I had a positive camber after installation. We then pulled the lowers out all the way to meet the uppers and got the camber perfect *with* a nearly stock track width and stance at just below "top perch" height.

We adjusted to 5.8 caster...not sure how much difference that equates to in inches but guessing about 3/8-1/2"?

For me, being able to keep the tire out of the wheel well and slightly forward has the benefits of looks and functionality against rubbing on full lock with an aggressive 35" tire.

None of the above is possible with stock UCAs and at the end of the day the billet arms look bossssss
Sent from my thumbs using Tapatalk 2

I think I will need to send you some notes on this. I am waiting until I can get the truck back in the shop to put mine on

 

[bstoner59]

Cause they look cool...why else would you need them???

My stock arms on my 5.4 were slightly bent after 50,000 miles so that was a good justification for new UCA's