Lift + UCA and other questions

Hi everyone. I will try to be short but it may be impossible as my story goes back several years. In few words, I had brand-new Trail Premium 2015, almost immediately installed some spacers (can't remember, but prob 2.5 front, 2 back) and put 285/70R17 Nitto. It all looked great and worked kinda ok (spacers are no suspension, just lift) until last year I think it was UCA that just snapped. Lucky I was - it happened 100 yards from Toyo dealer, though it still took 3 hours for the tow truck to get me carried over 100 yards to the shop. So bottom line - UCA (or something else, can't remember) snapped and they blamed those dumn spacers, ended $5000+ with all labor and new stock tires (lost perfect Nittos). It sucks.
Personally - never, ever spacers !!!
So, I am still here with 170,000 miles and thinking - wait for 6Gen? Keep mine stock? Raise it and use another decade?
Will likely not be doing hard rock crawling, but interested in moving to Colo permanently and of course plan to be on Imogen pass and like (not Black Bear likely).
Tendency is to #3 above (keep and raise) but now need to figure out raise with what? Not going expensive radical Icons, Kings, etc, but the bilstein for around 1000-2000 (including UCA) probably going to suffice.
Question really is - UCA or not? Too many for and against. Is there a consensus with say 2 or 2.5 front lift (not 3) whether one needs aftermarket UCA? Is 285/70 going to be right or go smaller to 275/70 ? I saw someone somewhere mentioned 34" with same bilsteins, but is this possible without BMC? I would not want any BMC.
Or maybe really just wait for 6gen?
Love toyo either way

 

I have the stock UCA's on my '18 SR5. I don't have a locker. Tires are 275 Wildepeaks on the stock snowflake wheels. 3 trips to Moab pushing it to its' limits. (Top-of-the-World, 7 Mile Rim, Hells Revenge including Hells Gate..twice, and Poison Spider) I have had zero mechanical issues. I do have a slight rub in reverse at full lock. Nothing a utility knife won't cure. I also have a Dobinson IMS suspension. 1.75 in the back, 2" in the front.

I am very pleased with the Dobi suspension, but you can't go wrong with OME.

 

$5k!?!?!? Sounds like you got ripped off and they new that was the plan.

do you have pics of the “snapped” uca?