Do I need new UCAs to run 285/60/20s?

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SilverSurfer5300

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I'm about to upsize to 285/60/20s (on the factory LTZ rims). As noted in my signature, I have already leveled the vehicle with front coilovers, but everything else is stock. This is 98% street-driven and the little offroading I do is not heavy. I'm mostly concerned with even tire wear and handling. Should I get aftermarket upper control arms?

I've heard a lot of disagreement about aftermarket UCAs with some saying you need them for any amount of lift or any tire larger than OE and others saying you don't need them for minor changes. What do you think?
 

mikez71

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Don't need them for just a level or minor lift.
Upper arms should have plenty adjustment for proper alignment.

Only benefit is they can droop a little further...
And that involves cutting the droop stop bracket.
 

Charlie207

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I'm about to upsize to 285/60/20s (on the factory LTZ rims). As noted in my signature, I have already leveled the vehicle with front coilovers, but everything else is stock. This is 98% street-driven and the little offroading I do is not heavy. I'm mostly concerned with even tire wear and handling. Should I get aftermarket upper control arms?

I've heard a lot of disagreement about aftermarket UCAs with some saying you need them for any amount of lift or any tire larger than OE and others saying you don't need them for minor changes. What do you think?
I run 275/60R20s in the summer, and the stock UCAs are more than fine with those tires and the Bilstein 5100s I have on to the tallest perch setting.
 

Joseph Garcia

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I can say that a 305/50x20 tire, which is 32 inches in diameter, just barely fits on my stock suspension. The 285/60x20 is a 33+ inch diameter tire, so if your current level adjustment is for 1 1/2+ inches, I believe that the tire should fit with no other alterations.
 

Charlie207

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I can say that a 305/50x20 tire, which is 32 inches in diameter, just barely fits on my stock suspension. The 285/60x20 is a 33+ inch diameter tire, so if your current level adjustment is for 1 1/2+ inches, I believe that the tire should fit with no other alterations.

275/60R20 is 33", so his is a 34" or so. That's gonna be a tight squeeze, and might rub with OEM wheel backspacing. Mine fit on factory struts, even before my leveling kit, because I have aftermarket wheels that slightly help reduce rubbing.
 

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