Difference Between Stock and Aftermarket UCAs

[Prime]

I've seen this question a lot and I don't recall ever seeing photographic evidence of the differences between the stock and aftermarket upper control arms. So I took some pictures while I was doing mine.

As you can clearly see, the difference is all about the ball joint location. The factory UCA has the ball joint at an upward angle. While the aftermarket UCA holds the same angle, the ball joint is mounted a few inches lower in relation to the body of the control arm.

Because of this, it forces the the knuckle to sit further down and in turn the LCA can sit further down resulting in suspension lift.

Easy.

 

[CrazySteve911]

Wow. Thats ridiculous how easy and how little they had to do to change it. come on nissan. Just come stock with the lift.

 

[SteeevO]

The lift actually comes from the torsion bars being adjusted. The ucas affect the caster and ability to get an alignment.

But cool seeing the side by side comparison.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[Prime]

Technically yeah. The pressure from the TB lifts the truck. The difference in the UCA is what allows for more adjustment.

Example. If you took an PML lifted truck and simply swapped the UCA and made no other changes, the result would be a LOT more droop. Because the LCA wouldn't have moved and the UCA would have moved up due to the ball joint relocation.

 

[Xterraforce]

That's the best example I've seen of the difference. Thanks.