Looking for recommendations for Upper Control Arms for 2.5"-3" of lift...

I_smell_like_diesel

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I recently installed a set of Fox 2.0 Coilover and I'm wanting to adjust them up, from the factory setting, to about 2.5"-3". From what I've been see reoccurring on here is anything above 2", you should be considering running an aftermarket UCA. I've been looking at the Fabtech UCA kit on Rogue Offroads website, since it seems a little more affordable and it uses a sealed ball joint (this trucks daily driven in Michigan.... dirt roads, road salt, and so on). I've seen looking at the BDS and Icon UCA's as well. You folks have any recommendations and/or good/bad experiences between the 3 UCA's or others.

https://www.rogue-offroad.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FTS22293&CartID=1

Thanks in advance!
Sponsored

 

Andy

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I have 6k ish miles on my icon tubular UCA’s and they have been a solid choice.
 

IL8APEX

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Being a fellow Michigander, I balked at the Machined UCAs that some offer. After speaking with BDS I ordered theirs. BDS is a Michigan based company that does really thorough development. The upper balls on their tubular arms are sealed and replaceable which makes them more tolerant of Michigan winter conditions (read: Salt!).

The other thing that attracted me to BDS was their view of the vehicle as a system. With their 3.5" lifts they also developed a small differential spacer that eases the angles on the drive shaft. That thorough level of development gave me the trust in them I needed to order.

Installing soon (stupid rain!) and will give full feedback here in the forums.

-Tom
 
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I_smell_like_diesel

I_smell_like_diesel

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Being a fellow Michigander, I balked at the Machined UCAs that some offer. After speaking with BDS I ordered theirs. BDS is a Michigan based company that does really thorough development. The upper balls on their tubular arms are sealed and replaceable which makes them more tolerant of Michigan winter conditions (read: Salt!).

The other thing that attracted me to BDS was their view of the vehicle as a system. With their 3.5" lifts they also developed a small differential spacer that eases the angles on the drive shaft. That thorough level of development gave me the trust in them I needed to order.

Installing soon (stupid rain!) and will give full feedback here in the forums.

-Tom

Thanks for the Input Tom. I am really starting to lean toward these BDS UCA's. I really would like to drop the front diff as well. I was really hopping that someone would have come out with a stand alone kit to do so (to make my CV's a little happier). I like that they use an off the shelf Moog ball joint as well. It may not be a fancy as the other marketing terms I see thrown around though "wink wink....". I like that you could just get a Moog P/N and walk into a parts store or Summit Racing to have a ball joint next day (worst case scenario).
 
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I_smell_like_diesel

I_smell_like_diesel

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Ended up pulling the trigger on the Fabtechs. They look like they are pretty burly and they fit my budget. I'll post up about them, when I'm able to get some time to install them and get the truck out for an alighment.
 


FL.ranger

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You running stock rims with that?
 

Frenchy

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Stock 18" wheels with 1.5" spacers. Not buying wheels until I need tires, since I've already upsized to 275/65R18. Would like to downsize to 17's, maybe 16's.
I just have the Old Man EMU lift kit and went to 265/70-17's with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3. The front was raised by about 2.4 inches and my alignment was right about dead on. And in my opinion if you are going to down size I would go with the 17's. They just seem to look good on these trucks and give plenty of cushion for the offroad.

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I_smell_like_diesel

I_smell_like_diesel

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I just have the Old Man EMU lift kit and went to 265/70-17's with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3. The front was raised by about 2.4 inches and my alignment was right about dead on. And in my opinion if you are going to down size I would go with the 17's. They just seem to look good on these trucks and give plenty of cushion for the offroad.

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I agree, I little more sidewall does look good on these trucks. Yours looks sharp. I like those sport package wheels.
 

FL.ranger

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I agree on the 17s. I’m running 285/70/17

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psweeney

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If you can afford it, the adjustability, strength, and function of the SVC billet arms are second to none imo. They're running amazingly on mine and I beat them up more than most.
 
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I_smell_like_diesel

I_smell_like_diesel

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Update on the Fabtech UCA's.....

They've been working out well. The truck handles so much better at speed and through turns. Much less body roll compared to the stock UCA's and the lower control arms pushed way out (to attempt to get the camber in spec). The truck just feels planted and totally predictable now. No weird bump steer or squirm over bridge/highway thresholds. I'm running Fox 2.0's set at 2.75" of lift.
 

FL.ranger

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Just installed mine. Definitely feel the decreased body roll right outta the gate. I’ll need to drive more for further impressions.

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