4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
Hiya, did a search first, but got nothing good, so...
I was looking for lifts and found this: http://www.chaosfab.com/ucataco_05.html
This site claims that putting the front lift will cause drive problems and they have the solution.
I have been toosinga round the Allpro and the Donahoe front lift to even things out until a solid rear setupc omes out. Do i need to get these UCA's too?
Thanx
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"The Black Cherry is like, "Grrr! I'm a tough off-road vehicle,' but the Blue is like, 'OOOO! Rocks!'"
I've been concidering new upper A-Arms as well. Once I actually get my FJ *ahem* and get the lift isntalled, I'll see how much it really needs it.
I was thinking about going with the All-Pro ones, since I'll be going with the All-Pro coilovers. Since it's the same ones that the 05+ Tacoma's use, it looks like you can get the coilovers and the A-Arms as a package!
Any-Day-Now Toy:
T/i/t/a/n/i/u/m (Updated to VooDoo Blue...I couldn't help myself) MT '07 FJ
~(On order, still being built...KEEP TURNING THOSE WRENCHES!!!)
Past Toys:
'90 DLX SC/SB 4x4 on 4" ProComp front/4" NWOR leaf spring lift, 33x12.5 BFG Mud, 4.88 gears, NWOR Cat-back/Header/Test Pipe, K&N Filtercharger
(Was sad to see it go...put almost 150k on it, and loved every minute)
'85 SR5 SC/LB 4x4
(First Toy. Beat to living hell...I *TRIED* to blow it up, and couldn't do it!)
'75 FJ-40, Dune Beige
(Killed the engine and had to let it go....still have a pic pinned ot the wall in my office!)
Okay, my post is based on different threads I've read and the info that I've read from different manufacturers...so, I'm no expert. I'm sure that will be proven shortly after I post this. Anyway, the uni-ball that the UCA's have from Total Chaos and others will give more range of motion (which translates into smoother and possibly longer travel) without breaking or binding. The factory joints have better longevity though...if you're not cranking them to their limits all the time. So, on older taco's, if you cranked the lift to 3" and drove it daily at that height, then you may wear out the factory setup. I've heard that the FJ's suspension is layed out a bit different and may be more forgiving to lift. Basically, you can have your 3" of lift and not have to alter any joints to make it happen. This could all be BS too...sorry.
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It would be great if I had a clue, but let's face it, that's just not gonna happen.
I had them installed on my FJ, along with the Donahoe coil-overs and the tech who did my install (Toyotatech1 is his official forum designation) said that doing the alignment was a piece of cake. He said he couldn't get his FJ aligned within factory specs after installing a RevTek lift.
Apparently the factory UCA's are not very stout, which is another reason I'm happy I had them installed. The ride and handling with the Donahoes and the Total Chaos UCA's is superb.
I had talked to All-Pro on the Phone after I got my lift in and I was going to order the upper control arms and the drop diff kit before i did the install since i read that they corrected angle problems with upper control arms, but where i rewad that, was meant about the Taco.... But ALL-Pro told me that the upper control arms are fine with the lift installed on the FJ, the only gain you will get is some strenght... and that the Taco were the ones that benifitted by these... They turned down a $600 sale and gave me great info to help me out.. I would read up more on these ones for the FJ... I know my front end it perfect after the install, by checking the angles before and after the install, the only thing i had to chang was the tie rod ends by one rotaion on each side outward... Hope this helps some and save you some cash, If I had the cast, i would put them in anyway for the look... but I don't right now...
I have installed the Revtek kits and OME using stock uca and they will not aling to factory specs. I can get the camber within specs but the caster does not into the green with the cams on the eccentrics maxed out. Jim had Donahoe fronts and I installed his Total chaos uca put it on the alignment machine camber and caster were perfect all I had to do was adjust the toe.
I have installed the Revtek kits and OME using stock uca and they will not aling to factory specs. I can get the camber within specs but the caster does not into the green with the cams on the eccentrics maxed out. Jim had Donahoe fronts and I installed his Total chaos uca put it on the alignment machine camber and caster were perfect all I had to do was adjust the toe.
Since you work on these maybe you can answer a question for us. Why is it different to align an FJ with a spacer lift vs coilovers? Haven't the control arms moved the same in both cases (lifts being equal).
Anyway, the uni-ball that the UCA's have from Total Chaos and others will give more range of motion (which translates into smoother and possibly longer travel) without breaking or binding. The factory joints have better longevity though...if you're not cranking them to their limits all the time. So, on older taco's, if you cranked the lift to 3" and drove it daily at that height, then you may wear out the factory setup. I've heard that the FJ's suspension is layed out a bit different and may be more forgiving to lift. Basically, you can have your 3" of lift and not have to alter any joints to make it happen. This could all be BS too...sorry.
camber and caster were perfect all I had to do was adjust the toe.
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