UCA - Need advice on which UCA to install

[hammerhead2411]

Morning,

Can anyone provide some advice on which UCA brand to go with?

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[ThumperF150]

I chose JBAs because the bushings and BJs are greasable and the BJs can be replaced without a puller while still on the truck. They are beefy, so…….

Im running 35x11.50s with 3/8” spacers and the larger inside knobs of my tires just kiss the front side of the JBAs at full lock.

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

Morning,

Can anyone provide some advice on which UCA brand to go with? I've never gotten UCA's installed so not really sure what I should be wary of.
I'm looking at the SPC arms and the Icon arms (they actually have a few models).
After running 34's and a front bumper replacement for 100k miles, I believe I have some worn out control arms (noticeable lack of stability on highway).
I do have fox 2.0 coilovers but will be replacing them soon as they are too soft for my front end setup, perhaps irrelevant but I will be sticking with a 2" lift in the front.

Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.

I'll throw something a little different out here. Any specific reason that you would like to pick up new UCAs? At a 2" lift point we generally don't push too awful hard for new UCAs on an F150. You mentioned that you're looking at the Eibachs and 6112s. We're big fans of both over here, and I only strongly recommend UCAs at anything 2.25"+. Are you looking for adjustability at the UCA to sharpshoot a specific alignment value or positioning of the tire in the wheel well?

Colton @ Hotshot

 

[ThumperF150]

Good to know. Yeah a greasable bj is ideal. Thanks for the fitment specs as well.
how do you like the Eibach’s? Torn between those and Bilstein 6112.

I’ve only had stock and Eibachs. Stock was way too soft and both front and rear would bottom out of bumps on road. The Eibachs are firmer but not harsh. Has not bottomed out and more controlled around corners.

From what I gather, if you are looking for soft, go Fox, firm go Bilstein. Eibachs are in btwn…. PLUS!!!! They can be adjusted on the truck which I’ve done a few times dialing in the ride height left to right.

 

[Aonarch]

You could just go with OEM UCAs. Aftermarket can wear faster, especially the ones with easy to press-in poly bushings. Those wear quicker than OEM.

I'd do a full shakedown of the front end, check bearings, tie rods, bushings, etc.

Maybe the Foxes are worn and that is causing weird behavior as well?

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

- See I don’t really know. I have a very floaty feeling on the highway, and truck pulls left and right depending on the pavement, and when I change lanes it’ll pull to that specific side. The feeling is like driving in high winds.
- I have had 4 alignments in the past 6 months trying to figure it out. Caster is in the mid 5’s. Even tried a little negative camber and toe in.
- UCA’s were my next move, I was told there is no wear on front end bushings so kinda stumped.
What do you recommend?
My steering wheel doesn’t have any play, yet the truck will slither left and right.

That's what we're here for, and we're happy to help!

Okay, so as I see it from the other side of a computer screen there's a couple of things that I can point to.

1. We generally find the ride profile of F-150s to be very floaty, and late to respond to direction change inputs. You dip into a hole, turn the wheel to correct that dip, and the body still needs to roll in the direction it was initially headed before it will correct. On "roller coaster" roads I actually sometimes get a little carsick in my dad's F150 because it never really feels "settled". So, that is just the nature of the beast with an F150 out of the box. Many customers come to expect that "extra-soft" ride from the Ford trucks so I'm not knocking it per-se, but just pointing out it's difference in that particular truck.
2. The Fox shocks that you specifically have fall immediately into that effect that I just referenced. The Fox 2.0 on the F150 application specifically is very soft on slow-speed inputs. That is not a universal for all Fox 2.0s, but for your application it is. I'll be honest... I rarely personally recommend Fox 2.0s for any application. They weren't bad on our Ranger build when we first got it, but I don't like them in most other vehicles.
3. If you're getting darting going over the crown of the road, the suspension will definitely play a role in kind of tossing the truck in one direction or another, but if you're truly feeling as if you're driving in a crosswind on a relatively smooth road... I hate to say it, but I'm still pointing at your alignment as the primary source of ire. We often sell cam-lock kits for these F150s because the cam design sitting on just a smooth face lends itself well to alignments slipping out. Those kits are like $100, and WELL worth the investment on an F150 IMO.

All said, something like an Eibach kit or a Bilstein 6112/5160 will go a long way to stabilizing the ride, especially at highway speeds. I am pro-digressive shocks for daily driver and highway use cases as I much prefer the tight and controlled driving profile. I feel far more connected with the road.

We can help you get into a fresh suspension to knock down the body roll, and a cam nut kit to make sure your alignment stays where you put it. After that, it's down to your alignment shop to get things right. A fresh set of UCAs is almost assuredly not the silver bullet you are hoping for!

 

[FORDTEXAS]

take a look at the BDS one’s. good range of motion while having low maintenance intervals.

 

[SALEEN961]

- See I don’t really know. I have a very floaty feeling on the highway, and truck pulls left and right depending on the pavement, and when I change lanes it’ll pull to that specific side. The feeling is like driving in high winds.
- I have had 4 alignments in the past 6 months trying to figure it out. Caster is in the mid 5’s. Even tried a little negative camber and toe in.
- UCA’s were my next move, I was told there is no wear on front end bushings so kinda stumped.
What do you recommend?
My steering wheel doesn’t have any play, yet the truck will slither left and right.

As someone who has installed a bunch of Fox 2.0 coilover kits, has them on my personal F150, and does my own alignments; what you are describing doesn't sound typical at at.

Can you share an alignment printout so I can see all the numbers?

Which Fox 2.0 kit part number are you running?

What tires, tire size, and tire pressures are you running?

Do you have wheel spacers installed or wheels with an offset that is significantly different from stock?

 

[nrmedic]

As someone who has installed a bunch of Fox 2.0 coilover kits, has them on my personal F150, and does my own alignments; what you are describing doesn't sound typical at at.

Can you share an alignment printout so I can see all the numbers?

Which Fox 2.0 kit part number are you running?

What tires, tire size, and tire pressures are you running?

Do you have wheel spacers installed or wheels with an offset that is significantly different from stock?

Agreed, I too run Fox 2.0’s with zero issues. A pull left and right doesnt sound like alignment versus warn parts, tires, or road condition.

 

[Hotshot Offroad]

Thank you! This all makes sense. The foxes are definitely too soft, especially with the added weight on my front end, they're actually softer than the OEM's were.
I'll take it to a different shop and see if there's any wear on front end, then reach out to yall for some new goodies!

@nrmedic did jog my memory there too. Let's say that you have worn ball joints. That can ABSOLUTELY lead to some diving around unexpectedly while driving. Your shop should be able to identify that relatively quickly.

 

[SALEEN961]

- I had 295 70R18's ridge grapplers for the first 60k miles with a 2" spacer lift, she drove like a dream. Then downsized to 275 70R18 BFG KO2's about 35k miles ago.
- Tires are usually at 40psi, up to 55 or 60psi when I'm towing.
- Stock lariat 18's with no spacers.

- I don't have the alignment printout anymore, but have tried 4 different combinations trying to resolve the issue.
- On perfectly flat blacktop highway I have zero wandering. So I have pretty much ruled out alignment. I don't have any steering wheel movement/play over bumps either.

- These Fox 2.0 coilovers were great at low speeds when they got installed 40k miles ago, but within a month I hit a pretty large washout on a county road and have had problems since then.
They are close to a 1" lift setting.
- The 2.0 coilovers have been floaty since day 1 (hit a dip on the highway and the front with continue to float up and down a couple of times like an older car). Not composed at all.

This should not happen at all and is not normal for Fox 2.0 coilovers. It sounds like the shocks are blown, but I would also make sure your front swaybar is still connected, a broken or missing swaybar link can feel similar if you aren't hitting bumps perfectly square.

Do you have the 2021+ coilovers, the 2014-2020 coilovers, the Roush version, or the Ford Performance version?

 

[SALEEN961]

...I've had a couple of sets of rear fox shocks, no reservoir, and they don't make it 5,000miles before leaking or wearing out the bushings.

My experience has been very different, I'd would have to check my records to get the exact mileage, but I've gone tens of thousands of miles without issue. I've never had issues with them leaking, blowing, or the bushings failing. Most of my driving is on paved roads, but I've had my current F150 and my old F150 slightly airborne more than a few times.

How would you describe your usage and environment?

 

[9663mu]

I had ICON UCA and they would squeak like a 40 year old truck. Greased them , jacked truck up and greased them and still noisy as hell. Changed out for BDS and has been perfect since.

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