UCA upgrades for Bilstein 6112 with 2.8” lift?

[HangmanNY]

Fellas,

I’ve been reading some of the older posts here about the Zone upper control arms. Ball joint separation and other issues (on some posts).

I have a 2015 ram 1500 4wd

I’m planning on changing the factory front struts to the Bilstein 6112 with the 2.8” lift.

From what I’ve read that requires an improved upper control arm. Aside from the “Zone” brand are their any other quality made UCA’s? I want to do this once and not have any issues later.

Thanks for any helpful advice.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Core4x4

 

[Adamcr68]

Fellas,

I’ve been reading some of the older posts here about the Zone upper control arms. Ball joint separation and other issues (on some posts).

I have a 2015 ram 1500 4wd

I’m planning on changing the factory front struts to the Bilstein 6112 with the 2.8” lift.

From what I’ve read that requires an improved upper control arm. Aside from the “Zone” brand are their any other quality made UCA’s? I want to do this once and not have any issues later.

Thanks for any helpful advice.

I just responded to your post in general 5th gen, just last week went to Quick-Shifters shop for ball joints & some 100k maintance.
I have Carli uca’s which have sealed ball joints, happy with them but if I were to change them would get some that greaseable. I have seen some people say stocks are fine, they have no problems, but I think worth upgrading if you are lifting/leveling your truck.
I have a 2015 also, not a Bighorn, mine is an Express so not sure if the stock suspenion is the same.
I would love to see what you end up doing, with lots of pic’s, of course.
Good Luck!

 

[DILLIGAF]

Stock are only fine when you have a spindle lift. as you can see my TTX UCA are almost level.

If he pushes his 6112 to 2.8 they wont be.

Ive been waiting for almost 4 years for my TTX to fail so I can upgrade to CORE 4X4 UCAs... And its not like I havent tried to break them...lol..

 

[mrack]

JBA are superior to Zone in my opinion, I’m currently running both on two different 1500s. JBA are fully greasable with a bolt in ball joint, they also have the hole for the abs wire clip unlike the zone arms. Zone are solid, nothing wrong with them I just think the JBAs are better built. Great small business to support as well.

 

[HangmanNY]

Stock are only fine when you have a spindle lift. as you can see my TTX UCA are almost level.

If he pushes his 6112 to 2.8 they wont be.

Ive been waiting for almost 4 years for my TTX to fail so I can upgrade to CORE 4X4 UCAs... And its not like I havent tried to break them...lol..

View attachment 552024

I’ve been looking at other Mevotech front end parts such as sway bar links (with grease fittings). And possibly putting new wheel hubs on. They look well made. What is your opinion of their products?

Thanks!

 

[DILLIGAF]

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

 

[HangmanNY]

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

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The new mevotech hubs with the blue seal at the top are their best. Apparently no moisture can get inside. Those are the wheel hubs I was thinking of buying

 

[HangmanNY]

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

View attachment 552025

View attachment 552026

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

View attachment 552025

View attachment 552026

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

View attachment 552025

View attachment 552026

So once again, you are happy with the TTX components? The power stop Z36 Front and brake kit arrived. And I also have a pair of Moog sway bar bushings

At this point, I should probably replace the lower control arm as well as the sway bar links and wheel hubs. I don’t wanna start having to take this thing apart later to change something else. I’d rather cry once and get it all changed.

I’ve been in contact with Nick@gotexhaust here. He was recommending the Eibach pro kit. I’m probably going to go with the core 4 x 4 upper control arm.

Once again, are you happy with the TTX components?

 

[mrack]

Be careful taking advice from someone who’s trying to sell you something.

 

[HangmanNY]

Be careful taking advice from someone who’s trying to sell you something.

Dilligaf has been giving advice as well as some others here. Nick@gotexhaust is a member here and a supplier of parts. From what others have said his prices are good.

 

[Adamcr68]

Dilligaf has been giving advice as well as some others here. Nick@gotexhaust is a member here and a supplier of parts. From what others have said his prices are good.

I always check with Nick before going anywhere else, awesome customer service!
I needed new cat’s early this year to pass emissions, Nick found them in one of their west coast warehouses, I’m in VA & he expeditated the order to make sure I got them in time to have installed & pass state inspection/emissions.
My condo association will tow your vehicle as soon as they see expired stickers/ tags so he definitely has earned my loyalty.
Just to add, Nick always ask’s how you plan to use your truck & gives several price options to fit your budget.

 

[HangmanNY]

I’ve ordered a complete set of Eibach pro struts, shocks and springs. Also core 4x4 upper control arms.

Nick also recommended the “suspension max” sway bar links.

Let me ask another question? if I decide to lift this truck up about 2 1/2 inches or so, does that affect the length of the brake hoses in any way? Trying to plan what else I need to buy.

I’m also planning on changing the wheel hubs. Mevotech TTX.

Thanks!

 

[DILLIGAF]

Just throw that front sway bar in the trash

 

[HangmanNY]

Just throw that front sway bar in the trash

You are talking about the end links, correct? And not the sway bar itself?

 

[olyelr]

You are talking about the end links, correct? And not the sway bar itself?

No. He dosnt use a sway bar.

 

[mrack]

Which rides pretty sloppy unless you have stiffer springs/shocks.

 

[HangmanNY]

All my front end parts are TTX, I swapped everything out when I did the Gen 3 front diff swap. My OEM components were 7y at this point and bushings were shot.

Only thing that failed so far was one of the TTX wheel bearing. Was stating to get a faint howling noise. But there was zero play in it. my 37s and the way I drive is hard on those regardless of brand so I ordered up another one. The new TTX wheel bearing was different so I guess they have been updated. Will see how long this one last as I only replaced 1 side.

Not bad considering what I put that truck thru.

View attachment 552025

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I looked at this photo again. Which axles did you buy in that photo? Which control arms are in that photo?

In ordered a pair of the Mevotech TTX wheel hubs for the front. Original driver front hub has been making some noise. No play in it that I can find.

Thanks.

 

[CO-Ram]

Hey Hangman,


Just wanted to share my current setup—I'm running Bilstein 6112s at notch #7 (2.4" lift) paired with MevoTech TTX UCAs, front and rear TTX sway bar links, and front TTX outer tie rod ends on my 2016 Ram 1500 Laramie. So far, everything's solid—no issues to report except the front sway bar link bushings are already starting to crack after just 30 days, which is disappointing.


In the rear, I’m running Icon coils with Bilstein 5160s and a Hellwig sway bar. The truck drives great. Not quite as smooth as stock, but still very manageable, even with Toyo 35x11.5R20 ATIII tires.


Alignment’s good and no issues with any of the TTX components. I also wheel it pretty regularly in Ouray, CO, and honestly, it keeps up with my buddy’s Tacoma just fine.

 

[DILLIGAF]

You need SuspensionMAXX end links

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