New control arms?

[Slate33]

If i buy a moto fab 2 inch leveling disk, would i have to replace my upper control arms with aftermarket ones? Ive seen two different answers from american trucks.com and now im confused...ive never put a leveling kit on any of my trucks so im not sure exactly what im getting into and all what it entails (2017 Silverado 1500) are they recommended but not required? Id rather not snap a ball joint and screw my truck up....TIA

[Nbarr7655]

The rule I have always heard is that 2 inches and less, your angles should be just fine. Once you hit the 2.5 inch point, or especially 3 inch and upwards, you get into bad angle territory. If you are really concerned after putting the leveling kit on, snap a picture after the truck is lowered to the ground and post the pic here. In the end, 2 inches should be fine though especially if this truck will be a pavement princess. (like mine )

[MikeBMW]

I have a 3" level with Motofab UCAs and, after a thousand miles, so far, they still look great!
No tire rubbing on stock 18" rims and 35" BFG all Terrains.
I did have a 2" level and ran the stock UCAs without issue but, when I wanted to go to a 3" level, my installer mentioned he wouldn't do it on stock UCAs.
 

Edited May 12, 2021 by MikeBMW

[2015 High Miler]

On 5/12/2021 at 6:19 PM, MikeBMW said:

I have a 3" level with Motofab UCAs and, after a thousand miles, so far, they still look great!
No tire rubbing on stock 18" rims and 35" BFG all Terrains.
I did have a 2" level and ran the stock UCAs without issue but, when I wanted to go to a 3" level, my installer mentioned he wouldn't do it on stock UCAs.
 

How are your shaft angles? 

[MikeBMW]

They are fine, especially since I put on a 1.5" Zone body lift which has no effect.
A body lift isn't fun and one still has to get the bumpers to match the lift.
If you go above a 2" level. get new control arms.
Also, if you want to go higher without a real lift, lift the body.

Edited May 29, 2021 by MikeBMW

[mikeyk101]

I have the Rough Country spacer that goes on the bottom on mine. I wanted to go with 275/60R20 tires so that is why I leveled. Still have the stock controller arms and no rubbing. My only issue is the sag on rear when hitching up my toyhauler camper so headlights point skyward. I didn't add any rear blocks. If I didn't have the level kit, when the rear sags, it would match the front just fine. I ended up adding airlift 5000 airbags because I got them at a bargain price. Now I can adjust the rear anytime whether towing or not.

[weatherman3]

I too have the RC 2” lower strut spacer level. I want to correct the UCA angle but many people say not necessary as I do have aluminum arms. It’s challenging to find one for just a 2” level and I’m guessing that’s why. My brain won’t let the idea rest though. Does it make more sense to roll thru ball joints more often or over correct to a 2.5” UCA?

[Supreme Pizza]

On 5/12/2021 at 11:05 AM, Nbarr7655 said:

The rule I have always heard is that 2 inches and less, your angles should be just fine. Once you hit the 2.5 inch point, or especially 3 inch and upwards, you get into bad angle territory. If you are really concerned after putting the leveling kit on, snap a picture after the truck is lowered to the ground and post the pic here. In the end, 2 inches should be fine though especially if this truck will be a pavement princess. (like mine )

 

 

 

I heard the same thing. I went with 2.5 inch spacer front and rear on a 2008 Suburban. I did not modify anything else, other than rear shock extenders.

 

I have put several thousand miles on it, and I have had no problems so far.

 

I assume that 2.5 is the absolute limit without further modifications such as upper control arms.

[HoosierZ]

18 hours ago, weatherman3 said:

I too have the RC 2” lower strut spacer level. I want to correct the UCA angle but many people say not necessary as I do have aluminum arms. It’s challenging to find one for just a 2” level and I’m guessing that’s why. My brain won’t let the idea rest though. Does it make more sense to roll thru ball joints more often or over correct to a 2.5” UCA?

My truck has the aluminum arms. Two days after I bought it new, I put on a 2” level lower spacer. The spacers were 1” tall. At full suspension droop, the upper control arms were within 1/16” of touching the stops on the frame. I put 59,000 mi on with that setup until I went to the Eibach Pro Truck Lift setup at the lowest setting of 2-1/2”. The front shocks are 1” longer, so at full droop, the upper control arms are still about 1/16” from touching the frame stops. The truck now has 68,000 mi. 
 

I plan on keeping the stock arms until the ball joints show wear. Then, I’ll go to aftermarket UCAs.