Do I need new UCAs when LIFTING (not leveling) my truck?

[Moose328]

I decided I'm going to go with a 4" lift from Zone (since they're owned by BDS), with Bilstein 5100's instead of the strut spacer, and 3" coil springs (I have about a 2.75" rake, but I'll measure again). I'm having a hard time finding the answer elsewhere on the forum, so I figured I'd ask:

If I am lifting my truck (not leveling), do I need adjusted UCAs (the ones that Zone sells) when installing the 4" lift? Or can I just use Mevotech OEM replacements? I'm really concerned about the angles of the ball joints when lifting it.

If I *do* in fact need the adjusted upper control arms from Zone, would they make my truck sit nose high?

 

[crazykid1994]

How high are you setting the bilsteins? If higher than the 1.4 I would say yes with the lift. It’s probably not needed till 2.8 because it’s supposed to keep factory geometry but I think 2.1 with off-roading is a good idea. The control arms do not adjust height themselves. All they do is reorient the ball joint and add some strength. Some people like the mevotech as it’s supposed to be a stronger factory replacement piece and seems to work on leveled trucks so I would imagine it would work here too as a cheaper alternative. Also. The 4” strut spacer is needed to get your 4”. Without it all you will do is lift the truck the 2” or whatever you set the bilsteins to. It pushes the strut down with the diff drop to get your 4” and keep factory geometry


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[crazykid1994]

Double post.

 

[JB1]

The ballpoint angles will be stock with a 4” lift because the taller steering knuckle corrects that. When you add the Bilsteins that will change the upper ball joint angle slightly. Most guys with the 4” set the Bils to approx 1.4” lift, any more and you may be nose high. The UCA’s won’t make you sit nose high or effect height either way. You don’t need to change the UCA’s at all. The Zone UCA’s are nice but the increased ballpoint angle caused by the Bilsteins added lift isn’t enough to force you to buy the Zone arms. A lot of members at least change to the mevotechs while their truck is all apart but if your on a budget the stock arms are fine too.

What year is your truck and how many miles?

 

[Moose328]

The ballpoint angles will be stock with a 4” lift because the taller steering knuckle corrects that. When you add the Bilsteins that will change the upper ball joint angle slightly. Most guys with the 4” set the Bils to approx 1.4” lift, any more and you may be nose high. The UCA’s won’t make you sit nose high or effect height either way. You don’t need to change the UCA’s at all. The Zone UCA’s are nice but the increased ballpoint angle caused by the Bilsteins added lift isn’t enough to force you to buy the Zone arms. A lot of members at least change to the mevotechs while their truck is all apart but if your on a budget the stock arms are fine too.

What year is your truck and how many miles?

My truck is 2017, less than 3k miles on it. I do plan on doing some off roading if it helps to know

 

[JB1]

I also added the Zone arms with my lift, my truck had 1200 miles on it. If you have the money in your budget they are nice to have. They aren’t required, but you can add them if you want for added strength.

Here’s mine

 

[LVnight1500]

I just had my bilsteins moved up from 2.1 to 2.8, installed mevo uca's, icon 1.5" springs, and bils in the rear. I know I didn't have to replace the uca's, but I figured for less that $100, why not replace them.

 

[JB1]

^^this
It’s not required but if you want to upgrade to the mevotechs or others for peace of mind then go for it.

 

[LVnight1500]

JB1, did the stainless steel brake lines come with your lift?

 

[JB1]

Yes they are included with the BDS 6” kit

 

[Moose328]

Would I still need 1/4” wheel spacers, or kicker braces? Rough country has the option to purchase those but Zone’s doesn’t.

 

[muddy12]

Kickers are not absolutely needed, but would be a good idea if you plan on doing any serious off roading.

The 1/4” spacers will depend on your tire and wheel choice.
With a 6”RCX lift and 35x12.5’s on the stock 20” chrome clad wheels, I needed the spacers just to keep the tires from rubbing on the knuckles.

Here’s a pic for reference. This is WITH the 1/4” spacer.


If you run a narrower tire, or different wheels with less back space, then the spacers may not be needed.

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[JB1]

Would I still need 1/4” wheel spacers, or kicker braces? Rough country has the option to purchase those but Zone’s doesn’t.

You don’t need kicker braces, only RC uses them.

 

[Moose328]

After doing the math, it looks like 4" RCX lift with wheel spacers, kicker braces, lifted struts, Zone UCAs, and 2.2 rear shocks costs about $110 less than the Zone 4" kit with 3" rear coil springs, 1/4" wheel spacers, Billstein 5100s, and Zone UCAs. (I get a military discount if I call RCX, and I get an equal military discount on LiftKits4Less)

Can you run Zone's UCAs with a RCX lift kit? Zone's website says you can run them on a truck with 4-6" of lift, but I didn't know if that meant it's only compatible with Zone lift kits or if they can be run on kits with 4" of lift made by other companies.

Sorry for all the back and forth.

 

[JB1]

The Zone UCA's can be used with any lift, but RC makes UCA's as well.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Still running stock UCA’s and just passed 67k miles a few weeks ago.............had Bils installed @2.1 at the 24k mark, added 4” lift and lowered Bils to .7 @ 39k mark........

43k miles lifted and/or leveled

 

[Benningtonr]

Still running stock UCA’s and just passed 67k miles a few weeks ago.............had Bils installed @2.1 at the 24k mark, added 4” lift and lowered Bils to .7 @ 39k mark........

43k miles lifted and/or leveled

That is the track i am taking, Bil's will be here tomorrow, when you installed your struts, did you need anything else? And my stock UCA's will be okay, it does not go off-road, i just want it leveled. Thank You

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

That is the track i am taking, Bil's will be here tomorrow, when you installed your struts, did you need anything else? And my stock UCA's will be okay, it does not go off-road, i just want it leveled. Thank You

I had my struts installed at the tire shop when I got tires installed, too good of a deal to pass up and install my self. 10 years ago before 3 kids I would have had that joker on jack stands in the garage!