So do I have to unload or no? Every video I’ve watched, they don’t mention it. The one I watched specifically is a 2001 4x4. But maybe they don’t say it because it’s obvious? Idk. Don’t wanna cut my arm off while doing this. Help.

 

In theory no, upper control arm is simply the upper pivot point for the spindle and doesn't hold any weight

Reason its not mentioned is because you should change lower and upper ball joints at the same time, so you would need to relieve spring pressure, coil or torsion, to change the lower ball joint or lower control arm

You would need to jack up the vehicle using lower control arm not the frame so suspension wasn't hanging

 

I replaced the upper control arms without unloading the torsion bar. It has been a while since I did it so I don't remember all the details. The shock prevents the lower control arm from dropping too far and I don't think you need to remove the shock to replace the upper control arm. It is probably a good idea to support the lower control arm anyway. Do support the spindle so it does not flop around. Replacing the lower control arm does require unloading and removing the torsion bar.

One thing you should do when replacing the upper control arm is to take pictures or good notes on the orientation and position of the camber cam system. They can be assemble wrong and will not work properly.

 

Okay so I replaced the uca in both sides and installed new cam bolts to adjust camber. When I took it to the shop to get realigned, the tech said he noticed the shock on the driver side was sitting shorter than the one on the passenger side and that even with the cam bolts installed, he couldn’t adjust the passenger side to sit perfect. I thought maybe the torsion keys were cranked unevenly and perhaps that was why. But with trial and error, to make the truck sit level, one key is cranked up high and the other low. Any ideas why this could be happening??

 

Is the driver side sitting lower?

20 years of a battery, driver and 20 gallons of fuel all sitting on the same side of the truck, weakens the driver side torsion bar/spring and it sags, common problem in Rangers.

Either replace the torsion bars, or get a 600 lb girlfriend to sit in the passenger seat.