A question about Zone UCA

[Bigpaul13]

Hey guys,

I just leveled my 2017 ram 1500 with bilstein 6112s and also put in the zone ucas. I planned on getting the truck aligned Wednesday. I noticed the front tires are sticking out further as if I ran them with a half inch spacer. I know things will change with the alignment but I feel like they're going to be sticking out more than they were before.

While searching here for some answers I saw someone mention they are longer along with having the corrected geometry for a lift. I couldn't find anything else about this so my question is do the Zone UCA change how far the wheels stick out of the truck? If they do I will swap them before I pay for the alignment.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Hey guys,

I just leveled my 2017 ram 1500 with bilstein 6112s and also put in the zone ucas. I planned on getting the truck aligned Wednesday. I noticed the front tires are sticking out further as if I ran them with a half inch spacer. I know things will change with the alignment but I feel like they're going to be sticking out more than they were before.

While searching here for some answers I saw someone mention they are longer along with having the corrected geometry for a lift. I couldn't find anything else about this so my question is do the Zone UCA change how far the wheels stick out of the truck? If they do I will swap them before I pay for the alignment.

Appreciate any feedback.

Pictures are #1
Height setting with Bilstein is #2
That way we can provide accurate answers. Quick answer to your question is no the UCA is not increasing your track width. However geometry never changes you need to don’t need UCA’s there are good angles and bad ones.

 

[Bigpaul13]

Pictures are #1
Height setting with Bilstein is #2
That way we can provide accurate answers. Quick answer to your question is no the UCA is not increasing your track width. However geometry never changes you need to don’t need UCA’s there are good angles and bad ones.

Thanks for confirming they wouldn't change the track width. I figured with the amount of people using them on a level that it would've been mentioned, I just saw that post mention they were longer and I thought I missed something.

Turns out the something I missed was the UCA was just barely hitting the strut pocket. I just missed it yesterday. Went back with a clear mind and saw it right away. A little grinding and she sat much better. This morning everything settled to the height I was expecting and the track width is back to normal. I found a few people mention they had the same clearance issue when I did some searching last night.

Going to get an alignment done and will post back if there are any issues but I'm sure it's all good now. Thanks again.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Thanks for confirming they wouldn't change the track width. I figured with the amount of people using them on a level that it would've been mentioned, I just saw that post mention they were longer and I thought I missed something.

Turns out the something I missed was the UCA was just barely hitting the strut pocket. I just missed it yesterday. Went back with a clear mind and saw it right away. A little grinding and she sat much better. This morning everything settled to the height I was expecting and the track width is back to normal. I found a few people mention they had the same clearance issue when I did some searching last night.

Going to get an alignment done and will post back if there are any issues but I'm sure it's all good now. Thanks again.

I’d make sure they are on the correct side. Metal doesn’t stretch

 

[Bigpaul13]

I’d make sure they are on the correct side. Metal doesn’t stretch

Followed the directions and even called zone to confirm with the part numbers on the arms to make sure we had them right. I saw it mentioned in comments on YouTube videos that other people had rubbing. I only had to take a few mm off of the lip of the strut pocket. Next time I have it in the air I will snap a pic of the amount removed as I need to hit it with some paint.

I will also mention that this was a air ride truck, I'm not sure if there are any differences in the frames versus the regular suspension trucks. I had put stock struts in for a few weeks without issue and just did the level and ucas. I know the rear bump stop area of the frame is different on my truck vs a regular one so maybe there are slight differences up front that are just showing up with how thick the zone uca is?

Getting aligned on Friday so will know for sure then but she felt good on a short test ride today. Appreciate the help, I know you do this professionally so I appreciate the free advice.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Followed the directions and even called zone to confirm with the part numbers on the arms to make sure we had them right. I saw it mentioned in comments on YouTube videos that other people had rubbing. I only had to take a few mm off of the lip of the strut pocket. Next time I have it in the air I will snap a pic of the amount removed as I need to hit it with some paint.

I will also mention that this was a air ride truck, I'm not sure if there are any differences in the frames versus the regular suspension trucks. I had put stock struts in for a few weeks without issue and just did the level and ucas. I know the rear bump stop area of the frame is different on my truck vs a regular one so maybe there are slight differences up front that are just showing up with how thick the zone uca is?

Getting aligned on Friday so will know for sure then but she felt good on a short test ride today. Appreciate the help, I know you do this professionally so I appreciate the free advice.

Most trucks the arms get very close on the front edge of the strut perch. The frames are exactly the same from air/non air trucks. We delete the air ride as much as possible in PA because winter and plastic don’t play nice. Post your alignment specs I can see if anything is wonky

 

[Bigpaul13]

Most trucks the arms get very close on the front edge of the strut perch. The frames are exactly the same from air/non air trucks. We delete the air ride as much as possible in PA because winter and plastic don’t play nice. Post your alignment specs I can see if anything is wonky

Yea I can imagine, I'm glad I got 8 trouble free years out of it. Truck was aligned at an actual alignment shop and she's driving so good now. I didn't get a spec sheet but alignments is all they do and they said everything looked good.

Between the new struts and a new rear sway bar this is a whole different truck and I'm very happy with how she drives and looks. Definitely got the bug again and already looking into more things to upgrade lol. I need to do a few maintenance items so I will take pics of the ucas when she's on the lift.

I saw all of the air ride conversion kits come with a universal rear bump stop which have you cutting off the factory rear stop. I got under a regular truck and definitely see a big difference between the rear bump stop lengths. When you guys do a conversion, do you put a universal one in there?

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Yea I can imagine, I'm glad I got 8 trouble free years out of it. Truck was aligned at an actual alignment shop and she's driving so good now. I didn't get a spec sheet but alignments is all they do and they said everything looked good.

Between the new struts and a new rear sway bar this is a whole different truck and I'm very happy with how she drives and looks. Definitely got the bug again and already looking into more things to upgrade lol. I need to do a few maintenance items so I will take pics of the ucas when she's on the lift.

I saw all of the air ride conversion kits come with a universal rear bump stop which have you cutting off the factory rear stop. I got under a regular truck and definitely see a big difference between the rear bump stop lengths. When you guys do a conversion, do you put a universal one in there?

I never do conversations on stock height trucks. We always go with a 4-6” lift to really set our Rams up for phenomenal handling and ride quality. So the bump stops remain the same we just space them from the rear differently

 

[Bigpaul13]

I never do conversations on stock height trucks. We always go with a 4-6” lift to really set our Rams up for phenomenal handling and ride quality. So the bump stops remain the same we just space them from the rear differently

Aha gotcha. We'll if my bug ever gets to the point where I need a lift, I will be giving you a shout. Looks like you're only 3 hours away and I always need an excuse to visit a state with a little more freedom. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[Adamcr68]

Aha gotcha. We'll if my bug ever gets to the point where I need a lift, I will be giving you a shout. Looks like you're only 3 hours away and I always need an excuse to visit a state with a little more freedom. Thanks again for your advice.

I’m in N. VA & that’s a little more than my trip to Quick-Shifter’s shop, but would drive twice as far happily to have him work on my truck, a knowledgeable mechanic with a “old school” work ethnic & a shop with all the modern tools is invaluable IMO.
It doesn’t hurt that he “obsessed” with work being done right, should be ok or close enough is things you’ll never hear in his shop!