BEST Tubular Upper control Arm?

[ScumbagTakumi]

So I'm doing the Eibach Spring lift kit for my SAS Bronco.....I am thinking I should get at least the Upper Control Arms and the Rear Track Bar.

Are the Billet (UCA) ones THAT MUCH better than the tubular ones? Or just looks?

Can I just save and NOT get anything at all since the lift will literally only be about 1"?

Thoughts and advice oh great forum!!!! )))

The main reason you go for a Billet over a Tubular arm is most companies offer adjustment on the Billet arms via heims on the frame pivot side. They are a lot stronger and relatively light for sure, but you are more likely to bend a spindle than smoke a UCA, so I do not think the Billet is worthwhile for most people. Plus if you really want the adjustment, you can get an SPC arm that will probably be a lot easier to live with than something with a couple of heims. I run the Icon Tubulars and have definitely beat on them pretty dang hard, and they haven't budged, so they are a great choice. I think the DJ PRO is the best ball joint on the market. It's as strong as a uniball of the same size but is sealed and greaseable like a more traditional ball joint arm. They also have the most articulation on the market, which means you can do just about anything and never worry about the upper binding. Regardless of ride height I think those Eibachs are long enough to bind the stock UCA, so if you do not upgrade now, it definitely is a good idea to do in the future as you probably will gain a bit of useable travel on the droop side.

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[Caleb@PandaMotorworks]

One of our favorites is the Icon Tubular

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[kodiakisland]

OK, I finally got around to getting some droop measurements so you have actual data and not just speculation. The next time I have the coilovers out I will measure full droop that is limited by the stock UCA only.

As I said before, I was just able to get mine aligned with 26.5 inches center axle to metal fender. Mine now sit at 26 inches after 5K miles and the top and doors back on. For droop I'm at 29.75 inches, limited by the length of the Icons, not the range of the UCA. It looks like it's close, so there's probably not that much more room, but I limit out on the coilovers before I do the stock UCA.

Of course upgrading is never a bad idea, but the question was do you HAVE to. So far, on my Bronco I haven't. I probably will upgrade at some point, but not because I have to.

Just for curiosity sake, the rear droop for my Icons are over 35 inches center axle to metal fender. Wish I could get that kind of range up front.

 

[SROC3]

OK, I finally got around to getting some droop measurements so you have actual data and not just speculation. The next time I have the coilovers out I will measure full droop that is limited by the stock UCA only.

As I said before, I was just able to get mine aligned with 26.5 inches center axle to metal fender. Mine now sit at 26 inches after 5K miles and the top and doors back on. For droop I'm at 29.75 inches, limited by the length of the Icons, not the range of the UCA. It looks like it's close, so there's probably not that much more room, but I limit out on the coilovers before I do the stock UCA.

Of course upgrading is never a bad idea, but the question was do you HAVE to. So far, on my Bronco I haven't. I probably will upgrade at some point, but not because I have to.

Just for curiosity sake, the rear droop for my Icons are over 35 inches center axle to metal fender. Wish I could get that kind of range up front.

Thanks man!!!! . Very helpful. I just installed my 1.5 inch spacers.....loooks good. Gettting the suspension stuff done Monday or Tuesday and will update with a post here. BTW - I would recommend getting the BroncBuster Tie Rod Brace.....I have it. Black Friday sale is BIG and 25% OFF! - https://cdn.shopify.com/b/shopify-inbox/luidb9qlxme0kka8yqvkbzk2s622.jpg?syclid=cdr6h6r7k0448pqlfjag

The Brace I was talking about - https://broncbustertx.com/products/tie-rod-busterbrace

 

[kodiakisland]

Thanks man!!!! . Very helpful. I just installed my 1.5 inch spacers.....loooks good. Gettting the suspension stuff done Monday or Tuesday and will update with a post here. BTW - I would recommend getting the BroncBuster Tie Rod Brace.....I have it. Black Friday sale is BIG and 25% OFF! - https://cdn.shopify.com/b/shopify-inbox/luidb9qlxme0kka8yqvkbzk2s622.jpg?syclid=cdr6h6r7k0448pqlfjag

The Brace I was talking about - https://broncbustertx.com/products/tie-rod-busterbrace

Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I plan to upgrade to Icon tie rods once they start shipping.

 

[kodiakisland]

OK, I finally got around to getting some droop measurements so you have actual data and not just speculation. The next time I have the coilovers out I will measure full droop that is limited by the stock UCA only.

As I said before, I was just able to get mine aligned with 26.5 inches center axle to metal fender. Mine now sit at 26 inches after 5K miles and the top and doors back on. For droop I'm at 29.75 inches, limited by the length of the Icons, not the range of the UCA. It looks like it's close, so there's probably not that much more room, but I limit out on the coilovers before I do the stock UCA.

Of course upgrading is never a bad idea, but the question was do you HAVE to. So far, on my Bronco I haven't. I probably will upgrade at some point, but not because I have to.

Just for curiosity sake, the rear droop for my Icons are over 35 inches center axle to metal fender. Wish I could get that kind of range up front.

Was hoping someone might throw in their droop numbers with aftermarket UCAs to get an idea of how much more droop they can go. Would love to see the numbers. Please also include your coilover setup so we know how much droop it provides.
Thanks

 

[SROC3]

Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I plan to upgrade to Icon tie rods once they start shipping.

Finally got it all installed and you were right - no need for an aftermarket UCA! But of course - I will still get one in the near future....hahahaha!!! I have to say - it rides GREEEEAT!!! Better than I thought it would. Wow. Firmer, smoother over small bumps and road undulations, plus less body roll. I love the setup and am SO happy I did it. Thanks again for the clutch advice and here is a link to my upgrades and reviews:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2022-upgrades-armor-suspension-programming-and-more.59736/

 

[kodiakisland]

Make sure your brake lines on the rear axle are long enough when the driver side is stuffed and the passenger side is suspended in the air. Don't want to discover that on the trail if the lines are too tight. RC makes a bracket for the fix if needed. Probably won't be an issue, but i don't know if you gained more droop in the rear from the changes.

 

[SROC3]

Make sure your brake lines on the rear axle are long enough when the driver side is stuffed and the passenger side is suspended in the air. Don't want to discover that on the trail if the lines are too tight. RC makes a bracket for the fix if needed. Probably won't be an issue, but i don't know if you gained more droop in the rear from the changes.

I also don't have a sway bar disconnect - so not sure if that would be a problem on mine since i won't likely be able t articulate that much anyway. I will bring this up on my next visit to the shop in a week or so. thanks!

 

[Sitruc_btb]

OK, I finally got around to getting some droop measurements so you have actual data and not just speculation. The next time I have the coilovers out I will measure full droop that is limited by the stock UCA only.

As I said before, I was just able to get mine aligned with 26.5 inches center axle to metal fender. Mine now sit at 26 inches after 5K miles and the top and doors back on. For droop I'm at 29.75 inches, limited by the length of the Icons, not the range of the UCA. It looks like it's close, so there's probably not that much more room, but I limit out on the coilovers before I do the stock UCA.

Of course upgrading is never a bad idea, but the question was do you HAVE to. So far, on my Bronco I haven't. I probably will upgrade at some point, but not because I have to.

Just for curiosity sake, the rear droop for my Icons are over 35 inches center axle to metal fender. Wish I could get that kind of range up front.

How is the angle of the UCA ball joint? I lifted mine 1.5" and at full droop it sits at quite an angle.

 

[kodiakisland]

How is the angle of the UCA ball joint? I lifted mine 1.5" and at full droop it sits at quite an angle.

It’s going to be quite the angle at full droop regardless of which UCA you use. That’s kinda the point. More range of motion. The point I was making is at full droop for me, 29.75 inches center axle to metal fender, I’m not limited by the stock UCA.

This was earlier today. Almost full stuff on one side and almost full droop on the other. The stock UCA isn’t at its limit. I’m happy.

Also, when I’m at full droop, it’s low speed. Not bombing through the desert. I’d probably upgrade sooner if it was subjected to high speed abuse.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

It’s going to be quite the angle at full droop regardless of which UCA you use. That’s kinda the point. More range of motion. The point I was making is at full droop for me, 29.75 inches center axle to metal fender, I’m not limited by the stock UCA.

This was earlier today. Almost full stuff on one side and almost full droop on the other. The stock UCA isn’t at its limit. I’m happy.

Also, when I’m at full droop, it’s low speed. Not bombing through the desert. I’d probably upgrade sooner if it was subjected to high speed abuse.

Thanks for the input. Here's my UCA while flexed. Im not jumping it by any means, but I dont want to stress that ball joint either. How does mine compare with yours?
My knuckles and control arms will make some contact with the coils, so Ive been researching UCA's, but will they fit with an oem Badlands wheel and 315's?

 

[Deleted User 5719102]

Thanks for the input. Here's my UCA while flexed. Im not jumping it by any means, but I dont want to stress that ball joint either. How does mine compare with yours?
My knuckles and control arms will make some contact with the coils, so Ive been researching UCA's, but will they fit with an oem Badlands wheel and 315's?

The aftermarket uca's are for the most part the same dimensions as oem, its the mounting angle of ball joint and ball joint used that makes the difference. Strength comes from design and material only. But the aftermarket uca's are direct bolt in. Take a close look at the oem vs aftermarket, you will see the difference at the ball joint and the angle it is mounted.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

The aftermarket uca's are for the most part the same dimensions as oem, its the mounting angle of ball joint and ball joint used that makes the difference. Strength comes from design and material only. But the aftermarket uca's are direct bolt in. Take a close look at the oem vs aftermarket, you will see the difference at the ball joint and the angle it is mounted.

Hey Grumpy! Been doing some research, and the BDS UCA's sound decent, but someone mentioned the BDS have "less margin" compared to factory. Same with Fabtech. The Zone UCA's use the factory ball joints, not an improvement, plus people have had contact issues with tires. Skyjacker UCA's seem to protrude a good deal more compared to others, though I havent lined them all up to verify.
Others rave about the Icon DJ pro UCA's, so perhaps I should start there.

 

[kodiakisland]

Thanks for the input. Here's my UCA while flexed. Im not jumping it by any means, but I dont want to stress that ball joint either. How does mine compare with yours?
My knuckles and control arms will make some contact with the coils, so Ive been researching UCA's, but will they fit with an oem Badlands wheel and 315's?

That's a clearance issue, not a range of motion issue, but is a good reason to replace. The factory springs are actually wider than many of the aftermarket springs, so I guess this will happen more with lifts that use the factory springs.

As long as the ball joint is not reaching it's full movement and stopping travel, it's not causing undue wear on the ball joint itself. The ball joint has as much or more range than many of the replacement UCAs. The new UCA will have the joint at a different angle to start with, but over all have the same or less range of motion. It just resets where it is at rest so it should give more down travel over stock. I would not be concerned with a UCA that uses the factory ball joint as it's good.

An issue you may face is if your wheels have the correct backspace for the new UCAs. To gain clearance, they usually protrude more and have issues with some factory wheels. Unless you want to buy new wheels, make sure whatever you get works with your particular wheel.

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