UCA multiple failures

Is anyone running the HD JBA or is standard good enough - for medium duty offroading?

 

I have the HD JBA and no complaints but probably overkill for 2.25” lift. You can feel the extra caster when steering at low speed.

 

I just replaced my upper (correct alignment after lift) and lowers (seizes cam bolts), bc the prior owner didn’t do any preventative salt maint. I got Moog lowers bc Freedom’s we pre-order and not expected till May (been waiting since Feb). Removal of the old LCA’s was a pain bc I had to use a recip saw to make 6 cuts on those thick ass bolts. I will eventually blast, repaint & replace the bushings and lower ball joint on my stock LCA’s for a Space set.

 

I've heard a bunch of alignment woes and loosening issues with the spcs. Didn't know their joint would only last 2 years, thats ridiculous.

The cam bolts are likely to be seized, so be prepared for that, and deciding if you want to put bushings in your old LCAs or go with new. Keep in mind that the upper or lower ball joints will look like shit with that much rust if their boots are broken in any way. I picked up SuperPro LCAs and JBA UCAs.

Don't skimp on cheap blades if you need to dig into those cam bolts. and Id recommend a cutoff wheel over a carbide blade because i was able to cute that cam bolt out in about 10 minutes with the wheel. 45 minutes with the carbide sawzall.

 

It typically is. But throwing some more loot at the HD ones isn't a bad idea either

 

I am using the std, but the HD definitely does look more durable. I believe the ball joints are the same, but HD has larger tube and gussets

 

Good old made-in-China SPCs. And their quality has gone done since, not up. Last thing I would replace with, especially in a rust belt state. I'd honestly look at replacing with something billet AL with serviceable/greasable bushings and joints.

 

This is the way: https://www.extremeterrain.com/free...-front-uca-2-to-4-inch-lift-fo-t702fu-bt.html



An advantage of these over SPCs is they're adjustable in-situ on the ground at ride height, without needing to jack up the frame to get tires off the ground.

 

I think I've narrowed it down to these:


Freedom Offroad Billet Adjustable Front Upper Control Arms for 2 to 4-Inch Lift
$779
https://www.extremeterrain.com/free...-inch-lift-fo-t702fu-bt.html#customer_reviews





JBA HD High Caster Upper Control Arms for Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ Cruisers, Lexus GX470, Lexus GX460 2003-Current (1 to 3.5 inch lift)
$790
https://jbaoffroad.com/jba-hd-high-...plus-4runner-03-plus-fj-cruisers-07-plus.html


The billet one is adjustable and is billet, so no rust. Not as easy to grease ball joint, as the cover has mutiple bolts. What type of bushing is it? Non greasable? I think it's made in USA.

The JBA has greasable bushings and ball joints. Made in USA.

 

I went with Freedom Off Road UCAs. Reviews were really good especially after few years of use and price. More money isn't always better. Marketing makes you think you need this or that. I driven 4runners for decades and never needed anything but tires and using my head to go.

 

I have the standard jba. Which are soo much beefier then the oem uca. I don't really see the need for the heavy duty jbas, unless you blasting down baja.

Jba is a awesome company built here in Pennsylvania, and has great customer service. What's great is you buy directly from them(no middle man) and they are priced very well.

I've been running jba uca for a few years now. I grease them every oil change(10k miles) and they are holding up great. No complaints

 

Blasting down Baja? In my dreams!

Waiting for shop to advise on other issues, so I have time to decide. Standard JBA sounds right. If the cam bolts are shot, I'll just cut them off and replace them.

 

Yeah I had frozen cam to. I'm going to PB Blast it and break it loose. I think. I have to get another alignment anyway but everything could be brought into spec. Replacing inner tie rod that has a little play.

 

You know what they don't have in Baja? Snow and road salt

Now you're replacing LCAs and cam bolts, adding another ~$1k to the bill.

 

JBA tells me my wheel backspace is too much at 5.7-in and spacers will be needed; no way on that.

So, I either replace wheels to use JBA or find another UCA.

Geez!

 

I have a set of factory UCA’s from a TRD OFP I can give you for free. Less than 1000 miles. Just pay shipping. Message me if interested.