Do I Really Need UCAs w/ 2.25 Level?

[Kiznolby]

Looked for a thread that addressed this specifically and saw one a couple weeks ago but now can't find it.  Please forgive me or direct me if this is out there...

 

Have a 2.25 ReadyLift level on my 17 2WD.  When I got it installed, nobody said anything about needing new UCAs.  Now ReadyLift sells the kit with them and recommend that mod with the level.  My question is: do I really need to go back and do the UCAs?  I guess what I'm saying is that I made peace with this level having some effect on the longevity of my suspension components when I got it.  But, I didn't at all think I might be dealing with something that could be a safety issue.  I'll sped the extra $500 if I have to, just want to make sure I'm not doing it unnecessarily.  Thanks. 

[TXGREEK]

Looked for a thread that addressed this specifically and saw one a couple weeks ago but now can't find it.  Please forgive me or direct me if this is out there...
 
Have a 2.25 ReadyLift level on my 17 2WD.  When I got it installed, nobody said anything about needing new UCAs.  Now ReadyLift sells the kit with them and recommend that mod with the level.  My question is: do I really need to go back and do the UCAs?  I guess what I'm saying is that I made peace with this level having some effect on the longevity of my suspension components when I got it.  But, I didn't at all think I might be dealing with something that could be a safety issue.  I'll sped the extra $500 if I have to, just want to make sure I'm not doing it unnecessarily.  Thanks. 

I ran the 2.25 front level with added 1” rear never having any issues. 2.25” -2.50” is max without needing front UCA’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[qwank]

I see low mileage trucks with level kits come in all the time at the dealership with ball joints ripped out of the stock UCAs 

[reardiff]

I've been going through the same battle, new UCA's or not.  Here's what Ready Lift says about it. and what I'll likely be using when I put on my level and set of 275/60/20's. Amazon has them for $323

[StayInYourLayne]

I spoke to Readylift on the phone about this. Their explanation is that not only does the shape of the stock UCA cause rubbing in most cases, but the ball joint does not have a strong enough (or non-existent, I can't remember) clip to hold the ball joint in place and changing the angle with a leveling kit can add enough stress to rip it out of the arm. I can't say how much of a threat it is or how often that happens but if you want peace of mind I think it's worth doing. Can get the whole level kit with UCAs for $329 from Tire Rack.

[Skeeter McSkeet]

No


Hooksets are free...

[KJS Sullivan]

Better to be safe than sorry.   I'm glad you could not find the thread, happy that you're able to bring up this issue again since there must be more people having the same question about this.

[Nasty]

If you have stamped steel arms. Yes. Cast steel arms no.  For some reason the stamped steel arm ball joint is crap

[qwank]

44 minutes ago, Nasty said:

If you have stamped steel arms. Yes. Cast steel arms no.  For some reason the stamped steel arm ball joint is crap

All the ones I've seen fail have been Cast aluminum, and we replace them with stamped steel .

[Nasty]

1 minute ago, qwank said:

All the ones I've seen fail have been Cast aluminum, and we replace them with stamped steel .

Thats strange. Its opposite with me.  All the k2 trucks i fix its the stamped steel arms that are bad

[qwank]

Just now, Nasty said:

Thats strange. Its opposite with me.  All the k2 trucks i fix its the stamped steel arms that are bad

well the stamped steel and aluminum use the same ball joints, so who knows

[Kiznolby]

On 12/28/2018 at 4:12 PM, reardiff said:

I've been going through the same battle, new UCA's or not.  Here's what Ready Lift says about it. and what I'll likely be using when I put on my level and set of 275/60/20's. Amazon has them for $323

I went with the same tire size.  Worked out PERFECTLY fyi.

[Kiznolby]

On 12/28/2018 at 8:18 PM, Skeeter McSkeet said:

No


Hooksets are free...

What are hooksets?

[Kiznolby]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmman!  I wish I would have just known this (my bad on that) when I originally put on the spacers.  That mod cost me around $400 with part, install w/ alignment.  Now it'll be another $350 for the part and prob $250 to install (alignment again too!).  All tolled I'll be out a grand when it could have been more like $700 probably.  My only hope is that some of the mysterious creaks and clicks will somehow miraculously 'go away' when i install the UCAs (yeah right). 

 

Thanks all for the replies!

[SS502]

On 12/28/2018 at 5:53 PM, qwank said:

I see low mileage trucks with level kits come in all the time at the dealership with ball joints ripped out of the stock UCAs 

Are those 2.25 or 2.50 levels? Dealer installed? It be kind of odd if the dealer installed (with warranty) level is doing this. Just asking.