Billet vs Tube UCAs

[Tone Loc]

I was going to use AEVs leveling kit, but after researching it I chose the Peak leveling kit to fit 35s. I would think the billet UCAs were stronger than tubular. Anyone with greater experience and knowledge than I have please feel free to chime in… I would appreciate your input. I’d also like to use my stock AEV 18” wheels, but would 17s be better and if better… do the brake discs still fit without modifications? Someone mentioned that could be an issue in my research. I never thought of that. I’d also like keeping my wheels so hopefully my wife doesn’t notice I dropped several grand on my new toy. Thank you gentlemen.

 

[The_Q]

Personally, I'd pick a set of Control Arms that has the Silent Spin Bushings and heavy duty ball joints. While the Peak Billet arms are great, the bushings are solid mount and the uniball "ball joint" isn't totally maintenance free. Peaks UCA are designed for the serious off-roader. I you are like the 90% that rarely off-road or do mild off-roading they are over kill. Dirt King makes a great set of UCA, as well as Cognito. I recall reading something somewhere that Peak is planing to launch UCA with the silent spin bushings sometime in the future.

As for your rim question, there are a few people here that run the 17" wheel with no issues. I don't know the offset or back spacing they are running though. You can also put Bora spacer to use your AEV wheels and move them outward.

Good luck with your quest. There are plenty of threads on this forum dealing with what you want to do. Search around and research before you plunk down money and then learn you should have gone another route.

 

[Tone Loc]

I hunt at altitude in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Fire service roads, slow and some rock crawling. I can always upgrade later, as I’m used to regularly lubing control arms. I’m just curious the opinions to which UCA might be better/stronger. I was thinking the billet would be, but the tubular is back ordered which made me think my theory was off. I really appreciate your feedback. I know the human body, fishing and hunting/guns. My only truck knowledge is trial and error. This is my first Chevy. Thank you.

 

[Tone Loc]

… and thanks for sending me down the silent spin bushing rabbit hole. LMAO… it never ends.

 

[OC ZR2]

I went with the same Peak tubular UCA's due to what I've read about the billet ones. Billet are stronger but if I remember right, they will squeak more. Had mine on for about a month with no issues. I run a 17" and 8.5 width Black Rhino wheel with 0 offset. 35x12.5 Toyo OC RT Trail, minor trimming for clean ride, no rubbing. No issues with the brakes, they fit fine with room to spare. Plenty of room from the inside of the tire to the ball joints as well. I off-road quite often and with the lift and tires, it's night and day difference. The truck feels more solid and the suspension is unchanged with the DSSV's. I plan to change out the shocks when I can afford it. 17" makes for a great ride on normal PSI (33-34) and airing down to 20 or below. 8.5 gives me the comfort of knowing when I air down, I hope to have less chance off losing the bead.

 

[Tone Loc]

I went with the same Peak tubular UCA's due to what I've read about the billet ones. Billet are stronger but if I remember right, they will squeak more. Had mine on for about a month with no issues. I run a 17" and 8.5 width Black Rhino wheel with 0 offset. 35x12.5 Toyo OC RT Trail, minor trimming for clean ride, no rubbing. No issues with the brakes, they fit fine with room to spare. Plenty of room from the inside of the tire to the ball joints as well. I off-road quite often and with the lift and tires, it's night and day difference. The truck feels more solid and the suspension is unchanged with the DSSV's. I plan to change out the shocks when I can afford it. 17" makes for a great ride on normal PSI (33-34) and airing down to 20 or below. 8.5 gives me the comfort of knowing when I air down, I hope to have less chance off losing the bead.

Thank you. Reading about the squeak now.

 

[Tone Loc]

I went with the same Peak tubular UCA's due to what I've read about the billet ones. Billet are stronger but if I remember right, they will squeak more. Had mine on for about a month with no issues. I run a 17" and 8.5 width Black Rhino wheel with 0 offset. 35x12.5 Toyo OC RT Trail, minor trimming for clean ride, no rubbing. No issues with the brakes, they fit fine with room to spare. Plenty of room from the inside of the tire to the ball joints as well. I off-road quite often and with the lift and tires, it's night and day difference. The truck feels more solid and the suspension is unchanged with the DSSV's. I plan to change out the shocks when I can afford it. 17" makes for a great ride on normal PSI (33-34) and airing down to 20 or below. 8.5 gives me the comfort of knowing when I air down, I hope to have less chance off losing the bead.

You guys are awesome. Great information in just a couple replies. It’s crazy. I searched key words here and didn’t get much. The suggested similar threads now has tons of information as well. Thank you.

 

[OC ZR2]

Exactly the reason I love this site as well, along with the snarky smart ass comments too

 

[Tone Loc]

I think I’m going with the Dirt King UCAs for the, “maintenance-free Probearing SilentSpin bushings” and Peak spacers/blocks. Keeping the stock shocks. Method 318s and Goodyear 35x12.50/17 Wrangler DuraTrac RT/LTs. If anyone had a problem with this combination’s geometry… I’d sure like to know. Dirt King tech support stated they should work fine together.

 

[OC ZR2]

I've read those uppers are good quality. If you have the $$ I'k look into the Deaver rear leaf springs instead of the blocks. You'll get the same lift but no blocks. I have heard it's a bit stiffer in the rear though. Depending on your offset, you may need more trimming. With a 0 it's minor trimming. If you go farther out, you'll hit more on the bumper and rear liner plastic. Just fyi

 

[Tone Loc]

Thank you… again.

 

[OC ZR2]

You bet, keep us updated. It adds to the knowledge base! Good luck!

 

[The_Q]

I think I’m going with the Dirt King UCAs for the, “maintenance-free Probearing SilentSpin bushings” and Peak spacers/blocks. Keeping the stock shocks. Method 318s and Goodyear 35x12.50/17 Wrangler DuraTrac RT/LTs. If anyone had a problem with this combination’s geometry… I’d sure like to know. Dirt King tech support stated they should work fine together.

You won’t regret your purchase of the Dirt King UCAs. I have them and the Peak 2.25” lift. Consider getting the Peak sway bar brackets too, they keep the geometry correct.

 

[OC ZR2]

There you go! Yes, forgot the sway bar spacers, I have those too.