Why You Should Consider Adding Upper Control Arms When Modifying Your 4WD Suspension
If you're the proud owner of a four-wheel drive vehicle, chances are you're going to want to modify the suspension sooner or later. Maybe you're looking to add a bull bar or winch, or you simply want more under-vehicle clearance. Whatever the reason may be, adding a suspension lift is a common and effective modification to make to your vehicle. However, if you have an independent suspension vehicle, like a Hilux, adding a lift is not as simple as just putting in bigger springs. In this article, we'll explore why Adjustable Upper Control Arms (UCAs) are a great addition to your 4WD suspension system.
Camber and Caster: Key Dimensions for Wheel Alignment
There are two key dimensions that relate to the way a wheel sits on a vehicle: caster and camber. Camber refers to the way the wheel lays in or out of the vehicle. In an ideal world, we want the top of the wheel to lean outward just a little bit. When we raise the suspension, however, the top of the tire will start to lean outwards more than it normally would. This can make the vehicle unstable and lead to poor steering and tire wear.
Caster, on the other hand, is like the shopping trolley wheel that follows along behind the pivot point. There is a certain amount of caster designed into these systems, and we want to correct that back to the factory specifications. All of these independent suspensions have a number of ways that the factory designs them so that they can be adjusted when you get a wheel alignment. We want to get all of these parameters back into specification so that when it goes for a wheel alignment, everything is correct
Why Upper Control Arms Are Necessary
This is where Upper Control Arms (UCAs) come into play. A quality UCA needs to be able to allow the suspension to operate to its full extent, so it needs to be able to allow the wheel to go all the way down and all the way back up. But what happens when you hit a big washout or a big bump at speed off-road? Having a properly designed UCA that allows for that hyper-extension in an extreme off-road environment is a key part of the design of these UCAs.
If you're running a light-duty Hilux, the factory UCA may suffice. However, if you're using your 4WD in an extreme environment, like high-speed off-roading with a heavy load on the front end, the factory arms may not be able to cope. When you add a suspension lift, you also change the position that the UCA will sit at normal ride height. This means that a new zero position needs to be incorporated into the control arms so that the ball joint in the UCA is in the zero position at ride height.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your 4WD With Upper Control Arms
In summary, adding Upper Control Arms (UCAs) to your 4WD's suspension system is a great way to correct the changes in caster and camber that occur when you add a suspension lift. A quality UCA will allow the suspension to operate to its full extent and will be able to handle extreme off-road environments. If you're planning on using your 4WD in such conditions, upgrading to UCAs is highly recommended. Close
