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Replacement UCA's vs Stamped Steel

reardiff
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Leevon Enthusiast

Leevon

Posted
Posted

reardiff, I have personally seen two leveled trucks with stamped steel control arms where the ball joints failed.  If you look closely at them, the angle is terrible, combined with a really weak seat for the joint.  Both had oversized tires and some mileage on them.  But if you're worried about it...yes it CAN happen.  Get the arms, they are much beefier and angles are way better.  Rough Country makes a set for $250 also. 

kylant Enthusiast

kylant

Posted
Posted

my readlylift arms are coming off. I received the cognitos friday. 

I will sell the readlylift ones for cheap. PM me

 

Denali_Joe Enthusiast

Denali_Joe

Posted
Posted

I had rough country 1/2" spacers on the front and the factory tires rubbed very lightly, I only notice when I pulled the tires to install eibach in the front, I got a 16.  I bought the truck used with them in already.  I have stock AT wheels and recently installed 275 60 20 Wildpeaks and they definitely rub more at full lock.  Looking to do control arms in the future to mitigate, gonna monitor the ball joints on the uppers to see if they get sloppy.

crushNchowda Senior Enthusiast

crushNchowda

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 12/19/2018 at 1:30 PM, reardiff said:

This is actually what I was planning, 1.5 level and  a set of 275/60/20 KO2's and calling it a day. Nothing to extensive.  I certainly don't want to cheap out and do something half a$$ed but also don't really want to shell out extra money if there's really no need.

 

Appreciate the comments, so it sounds like unless you go with a larger level (over 2 inches) and/or a larger/wider tire the stock UCA's should work.  

 

 

not sure if you already pulled the trigger, but my recommendation would be jumping up to the 34" 275/65R20 KO2's - with these BFG's (and most 33"+ tires) you are going to an 8 to 12 ply LT tire D or E load rated that will be MUCH heavier than stock, so w/ the added unsprung weight (and increased height/angles) you get greater wear/tear on the suspension bits/ball joints/bearings/bushings + you will notice a drop in acceleration, MPG, & braking performance. ON the other hand you gain a better/cushier ride, more ground clearance, better grip on/off road - SO all that being said, since you're already going to be compromising on that front, may as well get the 1"+ (for some reason KO2's are a "short" 275/60R20 tire measuring only 32.9" BUT the 275/65 version of that tire is a true 34" height), the better look, AND they are within 2.5 lbs of each other in terms of weight so you don't really get any additional penalty in the MPG/acceleration/braking depts.

 

Stock 275/55R20's 39-41lbs

BFG KO2's in 275/60R20 = 54.5lbs

BFG KO2 in 275/65R20 = 57.3lbs + extra 1.2" diameter over the 275/60

 

You're welcome ;-)

 

 

Edited by crushNchowda
  • 1 year later...
CbrownGT Enthusiast

CbrownGT

Posted
Posted
On 12/19/2018 at 4:45 PM, damnthetorpedoes said:

I have a Rough Country 2" with stamped UCA's. Never rubbed with stock tires and doesn't rub with 275 60 20 KO2's. On stock 20" wheels. 

Interesting. I keep reading that many people rub with that size tire on stock 20’s when they level it at all with the stamped arms. I’m going with this tire size this week on my ‘18 with no level (yet).  Still no rubbing? I’d love to go bilsteins at 1-1.8 inches but I’m afraid of rubbing the UCA’s. I’m hoping they’re gonna clear ok with no level but of course I’d love to raise it up some as well after 

damnthetorpedoes Enthusiast

damnthetorpedoes

Posted
Posted
On 12/7/2020 at 8:29 PM, CbrownGT said:

Interesting. I keep reading that many people rub with that size tire on stock 20’s when they level it at all with the stamped arms. I’m going with this tire size this week on my ‘18 with no level (yet).  Still no rubbing? I’d love to go bilsteins at 1-1.8 inches but I’m afraid of rubbing the UCA’s. I’m hoping they’re gonna clear ok with no level but of course I’d love to raise it up some as well after 

I’m now running Bilstein 5100’s on the top notch. Still no rubbing. 

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