Rough Country 3.5" UCA with Rancho Quicklifts

nadrojcote · April 27, 2015

Does anyone think it would be a bad idea to run rough country 3.5" lift upper control arms only with my rancho quicklifts? I got about 2.25-2.5" of lift out of these shocks and because they are longer than the stock shock I find that I am topping out when I go over bumps. I can feel the upper control arms binding on the ball joint.

I called rough country and the guy was kind of a dick, he told me that these aren't designed for my shocks and that I should call rancho for some upper control arms, which they don't make.

I have seen others run upper control arms that are designed for higher lifts and they seem to work and be able to align properly.

The part numbers I'm looking at are 9400-4339 and 9400-4358 for factory aluminum suspension.

lockey14s · April 27, 2015

are you sure its the upper ball joint thats binding? a lot of people run 2.5 lift in front without changing the UCA and its no problem. I know it does come close to the bump stop, maybe thats what you are feeling?

I dont think they will sell you just the control arms. check out cognito.

nadrojcote · April 27, 2015

are you sure its the upper ball joint thats binding? a lot of people run 2.5 lift in front without changing the UCA and its no problem. I know it does come close to the bump stop, maybe thats what you are feeling?

I dont think they will sell you just the control arms. check out cognito.

Im not hitting the bump stops, everyone who is running a spacer lift will have the same problem they just aren't as picky as me and probably don't notice it. When installing a spacer you have to pry the upper control arm down or else disconnect the upper ball joint, this is because there isnt enough down travel (caused by the ball joint hitting its limits) to support the strut extension. To test this theory go over speed bumps and listen for a thud when the suspension tops out.

Cognito does not offer a control arm for my application with factory aluminum control arms.

Rough country will sell just the control arm for $250 designed for factory aluminum suspension.

I'm currently thinking about it like this. The stock control arms are designed for 0 lift and the rough country control arms are designed for 3.5" of lift. I currently sit about 2.5" higher than stock meaning that the rough country arms are closer to being correct than the stock arms.

If no one else has much input on this I may try them out provided they dont require any cutting and are just a bolt on application.

Ready lift has replied to me that their 4403 control arms are made for my truck, but I do not want uniballs because I live in Canada and believe it would be a headache.

hogwash · April 27, 2015

What you are thinking is right. Some users have had issues with the RC arms not fitting well (or at all).

But I say go for it. FWIW icon makes caps for their uniball UCAs. Not perfect but will help some.

nadrojcote · April 27, 2015

What you are thinking is right. Some users have had issues with the RC arms not fitting well (or at all).

But I say go for it. FWIW icon makes caps for their uniball UCAs. Not perfect but will help some.

I just got off the phone with them and they said there should be no issue with fitment and should not require any cutting. Most likely being that there are three different ucs's they make 2007-2013, 2014-2015 steel, and 2014-2015 aluminum I would guess some people got the wrong arms.

I see that icon makes caps, and the ready lifts come with caps. I just cant see it working well in sand and salted roads in freezing weather. The bottom of the uniball is still un protected and thats where most of the crud is going to come up from. Also urks me that icon charges so much for the covers when they should be included.

I must say rough countries employees don't know jack sh*t. Talked to two different guys today, the first one was a dick who just told me they wouldn't work and the next guy was nice, but he told me that their arms have the same ball joint angles as stock(which is clearly not true just from looking at the pictures). Then he told me that I should not be topping out on my ball joint limits before hitting my bump stop, which is also not true.

Look at these pictures and tell me the ball joint angles are the same.

Anyway's I've ordered them as they are the only control arm designed for stock aluminum suspension that contain a ball joint instead of a uniball. They have a return policy so if they don't work I will be returning them. I'll be sure to update my findings.

lockey14s · April 28, 2015

I had no problem installing my control arms, they slid right in. They are well built and are definitely not the same angle as stock. The guy has no clue what he's talking about. The only issue with mine was the rubber boot wasn't pressed into the ball joint, had a hell of a time pushing it on.

That's good that you can get them and it will be much better than stretching the stock ones

FormerFordGuy · April 28, 2015

I had no problem installing my control arms, they slid right in. They are well built and are definitely not the same angle as stock. The guy has no clue what he's talking about. The only issue with mine was the rubber boot wasn't pressed into the ball joint, had a hell of a time pushing it on.

That's good that you can get them and it will be much better than stretching the stock ones

That's great to hear. Got any pics?

nadrojcote · April 28, 2015

I had no problem installing my control arms, they slid right in. They are well built and are definitely not the same angle as stock. The guy has no clue what he's talking about. The only issue with mine was the rubber boot wasn't pressed into the ball joint, had a hell of a time pushing it on.

That's good that you can get them and it will be much better than stretching the stock ones

I have a feeling that they're trained to tell customers that their ball joints are angled the same as stock control arms on a stock height vehicle when used with their 3.5" lift. I tried to verify this with him, but he assured me that the ball joints were angled the same as the stock arms. I just held my tongue.

lockey14s · April 28, 2015

I dont have any pics of the install, only of the truck when it was finished. I will try to get a good pic of it installed soon.

I think you are right projectsummit, the ball joint angle will be flat when installed with the 3.5 kit, and thats all he can say. I cant believe they make that kit with the option not to have the uppers replaced. if you think your ball joints are binding at 2.5 imagine 3.5!!

nadrojcote · April 28, 2015

I don't think they sell the 3.5" kit without control arms do they? Without them you would have no down travel at all.

lockey14s · April 29, 2015

yes they actually do and its a lot cheaper. they have you cut out the bump stop to make the control arm extend even further. i feel bad for those poor ball joints lol

Michael94 · April 30, 2015

do these RC control arms provide more clearance over the droop stops. i have the 7 inch rough country lift and any quick drop to the suspension causes the control arms to bring up solid on the drops. my shop was going to trim the droop stops or would it be a better option going with theses control arms?

nadrojcote · April 30, 2015

Yes these arms are welded higher up on the bushing bracket so that they don't hit the droop stops at full droop.

You have two options, either keep the stock UCA's you have(which appear to be steel) and cut the droop stops out with a grinder or else get after market UCA's that allow more down travel and have better ball joint angles which should increase ride quality.

2014MallCrawler · April 30, 2015

Does anyone think it would be a bad idea to run rough country 3.5" lift upper control arms only with my rancho quicklifts? I got about 2.25-2.5" of lift out of these shocks and because they are longer than the stock shock I find that I am topping out when I go over bumps. I can feel the upper control arms binding on the ball joint.

I called rough country and the guy was kind of a dick, he told me that these aren't designed for my shocks and that I should call rancho for some upper control arms, which they don't make.

I have seen others run upper control arms that are designed for higher lifts and they seem to work and be able to align properly.

The part numbers I'm looking at are 9400-4339 and 9400-4358 for factory aluminum suspension

Not surprised at how they treated you. I've had two inferior lift kits from them and they get huffy when you try to get a resolution. Fabtech only for me now.

lockey14s · April 30, 2015

do these RC control arms provide more clearance over the droop stops. i have the 7 inch rough country lift and any quick drop to the suspension causes the control arms to bring up solid on the drops. my shop was going to trim the droop stops or would it be a better option going with theses control arms?

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so even with a complete 7" lift the control arms sit that close? they must take the 5" kit and extend the strut spacer to 7" and call it a day. Id say go with the control arms, that way you are correcting your ball joint angle and saving some wear and tear.

also, are you missing your camber pin? mine worked its way out when i was tightening the control arms. had to tack weld it back in because it wouldnt stay. Just wondering if your camber is off and maybe causing the control arm to be lower than it should be?