Want to upgrade my front shocks and replace with a coilover leveling kit. If money was no option I would obviously upgrade both, but UCAs are so expensive in comparison to the coilovers that I was wondering if there were better results by solely upgrading UCAs with Stock shocks/coils vs keeping stock UCAs and upgrading the coil and shocks. I have heard of issues stressing the stock UCAs when you level but haven't seen anything about how they change ride quality. I may upgrade to 33" tires but I doubt it. Any insight here? Also, any recommendations for coilover leveling kits and/or UCAs?

 

Just upgrading your upper control arms won't give you any lift. If you're looking to level your truck out you would want the coilovers.

 

I meant more specifically about ride quality, do UCA's or Coilovers make the ride better?

 

UCAs do not affect ride quality except to prevent binding at full droop (i.e., contact with the coilover). The coilover will impact ride quality depending upon the brand, ride height, etc.

 

Any recommendations on brand, ride height, etc? Have heard everything from they greatly improve to completely diminish ride quality from stock. I’ve decided to buy the whole coil over unit vs just the shock or the hockey puck, I don’t have spring compressors and want to install this myself to save $$$

 

Go here https://www.f150forum.com/f118/ and read through "STICKY: The Leveling Kit Thread
There are a lot of variables that impact the answer like:
1. How much lift?
2. Are you installing bigger tires?
3. How much money?
4. Type of driving, etc.

The best bang for the buck is probably Bilstein 6112 (front) and 5100 (rear).