Ford Performance Lift and alignment issue

[jaronritchie]

I have 2021 XL with the 3.5 and FX4, and I ordered the Ford Performance Lift from my local dealership along with the 2021 model specific Fabtech UCAs. Upon installation of the components, my dealership informed me that they could not get the truck to go into alignment. They said they had to order a caster and camber bolt kit from Autozone to try and get it to align properly, but after this even then, they couldnt get it to align? Has anyone had any similar experiences like this?

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[F150SWPlat]

I have 2021 XL with the 3.5 and FX4, and I ordered the Ford Performance Lift from my local dealership along with the 2021 model specific Fabtech UCAs. Upon installation of the components, my dealership informed me that they could not get the truck to go into alignment. They said they had to order a caster and camber bolt kit from Autozone to try and get it to align properly, but after this even then, they couldnt get it to align? Has anyone had any similar experiences like this?

Do you have the link to the specific “ford performance kit” that you are referencing? There are so many options for lifting and leveling the truck, it is not possible to understand what was done to yours without the proper details.

 

[jaronritchie]

Do you have the link to the specific “ford performance kit” that you are referencing? There are so many options for lifting and leveling the truck, it is not possible to understand what was done to yours without the proper details.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-F15AA

FTS22327

UNIBALL UPPER CONTROL ARMS

fabtech

 

[F150SWPlat]

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-F15AA

FTS22327

UNIBALL UPPER CONTROL ARMS

fabtech

I’ve seen plenty of fox 2.0 kit installations on the forum and in youtube videos but have not seen any such installations with aftermarket UCAs. Once you introduce aftermarket UCAs it becomes a much more complicated setup messing with geometry. Typically folks stick to a setup like Icon which comes with shocks springs and UCAs or a lift like readylift SST, which are set of spacers and UCAs, but the point is they are tested together as a package by the manufacturer.

What you tried here combining fabtech UCAs and fox2.0 (not officially approved for 2021) might be the first such setup on 2021, thus you’re seeing issues. I could be wrong, interesting what others have to say.

Also, wheels are tires play a big role with aftermarket UCAs. I heard that wheels need to have 5” or less of backspace to clear those larger arms property. You haven’t mentioned wheels/tires and that too can be contributing to an alignment clearance problem.

All in all, i understood from an experienced suspension pro installer that you have to have a good understanding of all these components working together when attempting to switch to an aftermarket setup with UCAs. That’s why i think it’s a lot less common of a setup in comparison to a ton of spacer kit installs.

 

[jaronritchie]

I’ve seen plenty of fox 2.0 kit installations on the forum and in youtube videos but have not seen any such installations with aftermarket UCAs. Once you introduce aftermarket UCAs it becomes a much more complicated setup messing with geometry. Typically folks stick to a setup like Icon which comes with shocks springs and UCAs or a lift like readylift SST, which are set of spacers and UCAs, but the point is they are tested together as a package by the manufacturer.

What you tried here combining fabtech UCAs and fox2.0 (not officially approved for 2021) might be the first such setup on 2021, thus you’re seeing issues. I could be wrong, interesting what others have to say.

Also, wheels are tires play a big role with aftermarket UCAs. I heard that wheels need to have 5” or less of backspace to clear those larger arms property. You haven’t mentioned wheels/tires and that too can be contributing to an alignment clearance problem.

All in all, i understood from an experienced suspension pro installer that you have to have a good understanding of all these components working together when attempting to switch to an aftermarket setup with UCAs. That’s why i think it’s a lot less common of a setup in comparison to a ton of spacer kit installs.

This kit isnt any different other than spring tuning from the Roush kit, which fits 2021 models. The Fabtech UCAs are specific to 2021 F150s as well, and are designed to work with any 2" lift according to their technical support.

 

[F150SWPlat]

This kit isnt any different other than spring tuning from the Roush kit, which fits 2021 models. The Fabtech UCAs are specific to 2021 F150s as well, and are designed to work with any 2" lift according to their technical support.

Well, the problem is either inexperienced installers who can’t get these suspension parts installed to line up for an alignment or the parts are not fully compatible, haven’t been tested together as advertised on new gen. Let everybody know how it plays out, might be a lesson for all on installing aftermarket UCAs on a 21.

 

[jaronritchie]

Well, the problem is either inexperienced installers who can’t get these suspension parts installed to line up for an alignment or the parts are not fully compatible, haven’t been tested together as advertised on new gen. Let everybody know how it plays out, might be a lesson for all on installing aftermarket UCAs on a 21.

Well I just spoke with dealer and they brought in an actual front end alignment specialist from a place down the road that only does alignments, and he aligned everything with zero issues at all. He told the service manager that his techs dont know how to properly align vehicles with lift kits lol. He also spoke to me and said that the parts were all very compatible together and didnt see any issue at all with them fitting/working reliably.
WHEW, im glad the parts worked out, and it was all figured out, and I guess for now, others should be able to use this combo as well and hopefully not have to deal with less than capable techs for their alignments.

 

[F150SWPlat]

Wow, i too am glad it worked our well for you! Was worried that it might be an incompatible setup based on some stories i heard lately, glad that’s not the case here. I too am considering updating to aftermarket UCAs so this is good news.

Please share a few photos of the setup and the UCAs, how much space is there to the wheels. And let us know how the ride handles with this setup.

 

[jaronritchie]

Wow, i too am glad it worked our well for you! Was worried that it might be an incompatible setup based on some stories i heard lately, glad that’s not the case here. I too am considering updating to aftermarket UCAs so this is good news.

Please share a few photos of the setup and the UCAs, how much space is there to the wheels. And let us know how the ride handles with this setup.

Im getting the Mickey Thompson 285/65/18 Baja Boss A/T with Fuel 18x9 +20 Offset wheels installed Thursday, so ill let you know, and post some pictures to update.

 

[F150SWPlat]

Im getting the Mickey Thompson 285/65/18 Baja Boss A/T with Fuel 18x9 +20 Offset wheels installed Thursday, so ill let you know, and post some pictures to update.

Have you confirmed with your installer that +20 offset Fuels will clear your Fabtech UCAs? Fuels with +20 are typically 5” + in backspace and that’s above what Fabtech recommends. “ Application Note. Aftermarket wheels with a backspacing of 5 inches or less is required to be used with these Upper Control Arms.” My installer warned me of the same thing when we were planning. He explained that Fuels with 0 offset were OK while +20 offset ones were not for aftermarket UCA and larger than stock tires.

 

[FordF150TruckGuy]

Im getting the Mickey Thompson 285/65/18 Baja Boss A/T with Fuel 18x9 +20 Offset wheels installed Thursday, so ill let you know, and post some pictures to update. Did you end up get the wheels and tires on? Any issues with the backspacing on the wheels with the UCA? Pics would be great.

 

[F150SWPlat]

Did you end up get the wheels and tires on? Any issues with the backspacing on the wheels with the UCA? Pics would be great.

I too want to know what happened. I was told by very experienced installer that wheels with backspacing of more than 5” will not clear those fabtech or icon aftermarket UCAs. And those +20 fuels are like 5.5 in the backspace.

 

[Pedaldude]

...they brought in an actual front end alignment specialist...He told the service manager that his techs dont know how to properly...

The service manager at least had the decency to find someone that knew what they were doing!

The service department at my local dealership only knows how to sandbag, blow smoke up customer's asses and can't even properly string together the bullshit that they were trying to unload on me.

Glad everything worked out, good luck with your truck!

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