Upper control arms

anything about it you dont like? My lift is about 2.3 or so with Kings. Any issues with it contacting King reservoir? ANy other issues? Or is it good to go? I have been dithering on this thing for a few years.. lol

 

The bushing are free spin bearings. The ball joint is a off the shelf unit you can get at any auto parts store. Not being forced to use wheel spacers is nice too.

 

Thanks that works. I hate wheel spacers..

 

This is what I have and it's tiring.

 

That’s fair. I a lot of people thinking the same. I took a chance on the driving dynamics of a stock UCA knowing I would be ok with it feeling a bit more flighty (I get bored easy on long trips lol).

I also suspect low caster numbers would also make a front end that has the shimmy even worse.

 

Possible yes.

But again many just change the UCA same time they are doing the lift. No need to pay a shop twice. No need to attempt to get alignment a second time if you find out you cannot get the caster you want.

If you don't mind paying twice then its not an issue.

 

Once you lift it you don’t want the factory caster setting. You’ve raised the vehicle and raised the center of gravity which means you’ve lost some stability at speed. Higher caster numbers help offset that.

 

I have stock UCA, 5100's 1.75" lift-they don't give enough caster-maxed out at 3.5 degrees. 4+ would help with the sensitivity-making micro adjustments is not fun. If you are going to do it-get UCA.

 

The stock UCAs on a stock unlifted 4runner to begin with are probably what cause the 4runner to be relatively light on steering, and have less “return to center” feel than most of my previous vehicles. Just so happened I found it pleasant. But if that trait is off-putting to someone on a stock 4runner, it will be slightly worse lifted. So yeah, in that case, definitely don’t bother doing it twice, just get something that allows more caster right at the beginning.

 

how much caster did you get from the DKs?

 

Mine came out to 3.8 and 4.1

 

Their latest version, just announced the other day, now has sealed/service-free bearings. Previous ones, like I have, you need to grease the zerks about every 15k, depending on use.