Tuff Country UCA

[kd2dwj]

Been shopping around for new UCA's, and was preparing to spend like $800 on a set, but just found the tuff country ones for $350ish

 

Any recommendations? Should I stay away from these?

 

also looking for recommendations for tie rod sleeves, had them on my 2012 and now with my '15 I want to make sure the front is beefed up as much as I can

[HondaHawkGT]

Can't say much about the TC control arms... haven't seen any on a 2014+. I installed the Cognito UCA's. Fully welded and solid build quality - they feel like they're a solid chunk of steel. I went with the bolt-on ball joints over the uniball joints. $512 plus free shipping from AP. Great guys. Even got a hand written thank you note a few weeks later.

 

http://www.alligatorperformance.com/cognito-ucak100047-upper-control-arms-ball-joint-style-kit-fits-07-cadillac-1500-escalade-ext-07-gm-1500-trucks-07-gmc-chevy-1500-avalanche-tahoe-suburban-yukon

 

[Aldila]

Can't say much about the TC control arms... haven't seen any on a 2014+. I installed the Cognito UCA's. Fully welded and solid build quality - they feel like they're a solid chunk of steel. I went with the bolt-on ball joints over the uniball joints. $512 plus free shipping from AP. Great guys. Even got a hand written thank you note a few weeks later.

 

http://www.alligatorperformance.com/cognito-ucak100047-upper-control-arms-ball-joint-style-kit-fits-07-cadillac-1500-escalade-ext-07-gm-1500-trucks-07-gmc-chevy-1500-avalanche-tahoe-suburban-yukon

 

20150629_173907_20150703130801231.jpg

Those look super nice. That will be my choice when the time is needed.

[arkenzo]

What's the main purpose of upgrading control arms? What do these upgraded control arms provide over the stock ones? More travel?

[_OnTheRocks]

What's the main purpose of upgrading control arms? What do these upgraded control arms provide over the stock ones? More travel?

 

Its mainly for those who run leveling kits/longer shocks or coilovers. The ball joints are brought back to a safe level rather than over extending the stock contol arms.

 

btw: Whats up neighbor. I work in the Walnut / City of Industry area. haha

[arkenzo]

 

Its mainly for those who run leveling kits/longer shocks or coilovers. The ball joints are brought back to a safe level rather than over extending the stock contol arms.

 

btw: Whats up neighbor. I work in the Walnut / City of Industry area. haha

awesome. i'm a heavy commuter, work in the long beach area

 

thnx 4 the info..i'm running the 2.5" level/lift kit from rough country on my 2014, so maybe i'll benefit from UCA's

[HondaHawkGT]

A lift/level changes the ball joint angle of the UCA enough that it can lead to accelerated BJ wear. With a 2.5" level, driving off-road or even on rough pavement will cause the stock UCA's to hit the droop stops, bind the ball joints, and overall make the ride shitty. Some guys won't be bothered by it if they're lucky enough to have decent highways and never take their truck off pavement.

 

A decent aftermarket UCA will correct the angles to compensate for the geometry change:

 

2.5" Level with stock UCA

 

2" Level with Cognito UCA

 

Not a perfect comparison but it gives you and idea.

 

Another benefit of an aftermarket UCA is that a decent one will have grease fittings. Mine have poly bushings with grease zerks plus a grease-able bolt-on ball joints.

 

Big difference:

[arkenzo]

Hard to install?

[HondaHawkGT]

Pretty easy if you've ever turned a wrench. You'd want a torque wrench and a good set of metric wrenches and sockets. Mark roughly where the stock UCA alignment cams were set to make it easier to get your camber close with the new UCA's. I think the hardest part was getting the upper ball joint torqued. I ended up needing a crows foot socket to get in there. The GM knuckles are annoyingly compact and you can't get a regular socket in there without pulling the CV axle. The instructions are well written and easy to follow.