What lift requires aftermarket UCAs?

[Jojos]

Anyone with a Motofab 2.5" front level kit experience any issues? Did you keep the stock UCAs? I've been reading about issues with the CV/axles and didn't know if this kit caused that too. I have a 2021 Elevation 4x4.  Thanks!

[Gangly]

On 11/13/2022 at 6:18 AM, Jojos said:

Anyone with a Motofab 2.5" front level kit experience any issues? Did you keep the stock UCAs? I've been reading about issues with the CV/axles and didn't know if this kit caused that too. I have a 2021 Elevation 4x4.  Thanks!

 

The general consensus is that 1" above the factory TB/AT4 height (which is 2" higher than your Elevation already) is the maximum you can safely go without swapping out your UCA's, and even then you are riding a fine line.  Since a factory stock TB will ride approximately 2" higher than your Elevation, a 1" increase above TB height would be equivalent to 3" above your vehicles factory ride height.   Using 3" as the maximum lift height based on the use of the stock UCA's, you should be fine with a 2.5" lift since your under 3" of total lift.  However, you should know that the possibility of broken UCA's are a potential issue, especially if you will be doing any driving(off-roading) that results in maximum suspension travel.

[jaxcam02]

If you look at the GM accessories Trail Boss kit for non-trail boss trucks, it comes with different CV axles. Last I looked that kit was about $1200 and comes with a warranty ("The greater of either the balance of the vehicle's bumper to bumper warranty or 12 months / 12,000 miles"). Also comes with new dampeners, hardware and a taller emergency jack. 

I look at that as GM saying that you need CV axles for anything lift and probably UCAs for anything over the 2 inch trail boss lift.

Edited November 14, 2022 by jaxcam02

[newdude]

On 11/13/2022 at 7:18 AM, Jojos said:

Anyone with a Motofab 2.5" front level kit experience any issues? Did you keep the stock UCAs? I've been reading about issues with the CV/axles and didn't know if this kit caused that too. I have a 2021 Elevation 4x4.  Thanks!

 

 

We had a tow in with a 2 inch level on a stock Elevation.  Came in with the UCA failed and the CV ripped out.  

 

So if the stock arms can struggle on an Elevation with a 2 inch, think what would happen on a 2.5" or if it was a TB/AT4 with a 2 inch.  

[Gangly]

4 hours ago, jaxcam02 said:

If you look at the GM accessories Trail Boss kit for non-trail boss trucks, it comes with different CV axles. Last I looked that kit was about $1200 and comes with a warranty ("The greater of either the balance of the vehicle's bumper to bumper warranty or 12 months / 12,000 miles"). Also comes with new dampeners, hardware and a taller emergency jack. 

I look at that as GM saying that you need CV axles for anything lift and probably UCAs for anything over the 2 inch trail boss lift.

Everybody is free to interpret information how they like, but thousands of people would argue with you on the CV subject.  However, you can never go wrong upgrading so who am I to argue.   

 

I would personally agree with you on the UCA issue though.  If I go any higher than the  2" lift I currently have I'll do new UCA's just to be safe even though anything 3" or under appears to have no affect on the UCA's based on what I have seen and read.  I am at 78k miles now, approximately 58K of those on my 2" Eibach lift with some decent off road use mixed in, and I have had no issues at all.  I am also unaware of there being a common issue with 2" lifts and broken CV's or UCA's, but newdude would be much more likely than any of us to see common issues considering the line of work that he does.

Edited November 14, 2022 by Gangly

[Gangly]

3 minutes ago, Gangly said:

 

Deleted due to redundancy

Edited November 14, 2022 by Gangly