Reversing UCA's (Pics)

[OregTrailBlazin]

Awesome, I have been thinking of this also... I haven't read the thread on the OT, but did you only flip them upside down, or did you switch from right and left also?

It does look like you got some camber back, which is great for alignment. And a little more positive caster shouldn't hurt a thing. I would love ot see the spec sheet after alignment!!

[Regulator1175]

Awesome, I have been thinking of this also... I haven't read the thread on the OT, but did you only flip them upside down, or did you switch from right and left also?

It does look like you got some camber back, which is great for alignment. And a little more positive caster shouldn't hurt a thing. I would love ot see the spec sheet after alignment!!

You need to flip them over, and switch the passenger and drivers sides in order for the upper ball joint to lign up correctly.

[teamred250ex]

can't wait to hear about the alignment specs!!

[Zero]

Thats awesome to know this mod works. Personally, I'd rather save some extra cash and have a sweet set of tubular control arms made. Then I could chance the bottom mount for the shock to something more interchangeable with the Tacoma ect...

[high-voltage]

Does anybody know what a custom set of arms would cost?

[Trail X]

Does anybody know what a custom set of arms would cost?

So many variables.
-keeping stock ball joint. vs. changing the ball joint design
-who is doing the design work, you, or them?
-what sort of bushings do you want to use?
-coatings... paint vs. powder, etc.
-is it going to be a 1 off, or production?

If it's production, look at the DJM (i think) lowered control arms.

If it's a 1 off, maybe 400 for a pair if painted and using the stock BJ. SWAG.

[MrSmithsTB]

For the DJM, you're looking at $200. They are 1" longer than stock. As you can see from his pics, they could create an issue with camber. However, they would allow for lengthening of the strut assembly, and more lift would suck the wheels back in.

[SteveTB03]

Well I believe I'm the second one to do the UCA swap me and fishsticks did mine yesterday when we were finished offroading.

[fishsticks]

A couple shots with the suspension compressed.






UCA is making contact with fender metal, but the ball joint seems ok.

[MrSmithsTB]

UCA is making contact with fender metal, but the ball joint seems ok.

So, they essentially work fine. It looks like any of the minimal issues would be fixed with a custom built set.

[fishsticks]

UCA is making contact with fender metal, but the ball joint seems ok.

So, they essentially work fine. It looks like any of the minimal issues would be fixed with a custom built set.

That pretty much sums it up. I figured a picture is worth a thousand words.

[teamred250ex]

has anyone realigned the front and seen if its in specs?

[fishsticks]

I haven't yet. I'm ordering some additional shims and installing them before I realign.

[MrSmithsTB]

I haven't yet. I'm ordering some additional shims and installing them before I realign.

Good call. I'm willing to bet that will bring it close to dead on. I'm thinking about trying this but instead of using a second shim, getting the ready lift front setup and losing the shim I have now.

[johnburgelin]

Well I believe I'm the second one to do the UCA swap me and fishsticks did mine yesterday when we were finished offroading.

Well I flipped mine Wednesday morning, but as anyone who's seen me on here, I procrastinate in posting pictures :\
I'll be happy to take third place if that's all I can get, lol


I also sprayed my UCA's with rustoleum rust converter, ziptied the lines to the flipped UCA's, and attempted a self alignment by myself. It's definitely possible to get these in spec as far as camber and alignment go. In fact at a point I had mine laid way out (on accident) but there's definitely more than enough play in the LCA's to make up the for the camber in the wheel. It just took a couple whacks after loosening up the bolts and a couple turns on the steering arms to bring everything in line. After I shove another spacer in there and get my new tires I'll have a professional do it for me.

[Trail X]

EXPERIMENT TIME!

The easiest one to do....and probably the one most people want to know the results of.


DATA:

Rough Country front lift spacer measurement: 1-13/16th inch
+
Smaxx Shim measurement: 8/16th (1/2) inch
=
Total of spacers between spring isolator and frame mount: 2-5/16th inch
-
Stock upper strut mount measurement: 6/16th (3/8) inch
=
Total lengthening of strut assembly: 1-15/16th inch


TEST:

Conditions: Front of truck jacked up. Wheels mounted but off ground. Top of strut tower unbolted from frame. Downward force (me) applied to wheel, moving wheel/suspension downwards until UBJ reaches limit of travel.

RESULT:




I couldn't get a picture while holding the tape measure and the wheel, but there is an additional 7/8" from the top of my shim to the frame mount on all sides.

I don't know if the BDS kits measures out the same... But it seems that if everything else pans out, I could add another 1/2" to 5/8" in there and still be in the green zone ball joint wise.


Thoughts?


Edit: Just reread my own post and realized that my total spacer + shim length is not added directly to the strut assembly length, since part of it simply compresses the spring more. Ugh.

So... to summarize and clarify... flipping the UCA gives you 7/8" + the 1/2" Smaxx spacer - giving a total of 1-3/8" of space from your RC spacer to the frame mount?

[MrSmithsTB]

Has anyone experienced a successful alignment yet?

[OregTrailBlazin]

Has anyone experienced a successful alignment yet?

Hoping someone keeps thier spec sheet when they get it done..

[Gordinho80]

I'm due for replacement ball joints. I have replacement half shafts sitting in the garage already. I was going to swap them UCAs when I did the other 2 things... I have lifetime alignment at Firestone... so I would be going there after. Just not sure when that will be....

[HARDTRAILZ]

i dropped mine off to be aligned and got it back worse. Was none to happy but got my cash back. Thats why I am gonna try and see if i cant get it decent myself.