2000 4x4 SR5 lower control arm upgrade

Hello!
I’m called Chase and I drive a Green 2000 Tacoma (4x4, SR5, 5speed). I’m currently employed as a fabrication specialist at Boeing in Salt Lake City, originally from north California where I spent the previous 5 years working on Howard Forest Helitack crew and three on a type 3 engine before that. All @ cal fire MEU. I just joined up today, I’ve been on these threads probably 100 different times figured it was probably safe to say I would be using the forum lol. Anyways…
Ball joints in my LCA’s are toast and so are all the bushings. Going to go ahead and replace both LCA’s soon w/ stock, but figured I’d ask around and see if anyone had any recommendations for an aftermarket lower control arm (moog, etc.) or if they are worth the extra $$$ at all. I’d appreciate any feedback at all just thinkin out loud here. Thanks again
-chaser101

 

I don't believe there are any "upgraded" lower control arms unless you go with a long travel lower arm and the other bits that would require. The Moog arms are junk- the bushings fail in a few years before needing to be replaced again. It's a pain in the ass to get the lower arms off as you have to disconnect the steering rack, so you really don't want to do it again in a few years. OEM is really the best "arm". On the bushing front, there are OEM or WhiteLine, Energy Suspension, or Strongflex. I personally went with the WhiteLine and haven't had an issue with ride quality, although that's always a consideration with poly bushings.

Even if you are going to have a shop do the work for you, I suggest wrapping your head around the job a bit to know what you're getting into.

There are two great resources with details for this job:

Timmy the toolman has a two part video series:
https://youtu.be/kmaZNBp1gZM?si=uIJ1DKiVzJ-VJYWx

and @turbodb has a write up:
https://adventuretaco.com/guide/ste...ement-on-a-1st-gen-tacoma-or-3rd-gen-4runner/

 

If you press the bushings out yourself, and reuse your existing arms (as shown in that video above) then you'll save a couple hundred bucks in parts cost. I'd say worth going that route so long as rust is minimal

 

Welcome to the forum!

What works best for me is finding used Toyota Lower Control Arms.

Rebuild them all new bushing lower ball joints never hurts to have new cam bolt hardware as well.

Getting the bushings out can be a royal pain.

Then swap them on a nice quiet weekend no rush just in and out.

Good time for other front end work while things are apart.

Good Luck,

 

Welcome to TW

I’m compiling parts for a full front suspension overhaul and new rear springs, shocks and bushings as well.

I ended up buying a pair of used OEM LCAs off a member here… they look brand new.

I plan on doing what bivouac says above. Leisurely replace the bushings on the new to me LCAs off the truck, then install them when doing to front suspension.

 

It took me waaaay longer than I thought to get the LCA's out, the TRE's were the worst of it. I'm glad I went with OEM LCA's and just swapped them. Changing out the bushings would have added 6 hours to the project, plus both of my front bump stops the welded bolt had broken loose, they were just spinning, had to cut a hole in the back of the LCA. Full journey here, and how members correctly convinced me not to cheap out with aftermarket arms, or skip to the short story here. If you don't have one, invest in a good impact ratchet and impact sockets, you'll need it.

 

I experienced that the first time lesson learned.

They can be removed much faster knowing in the long run you really do not need to save them.