Question about Upper and Lower Control Arms

I am wondering if there is a difference in control arms between the different years of 1st gen tacoma's, 4wd vs 2wd, etc.

basically can any upper and lower control arm off any year tacoma fit another? or are they different? I am having trouble finding this information.

sorry if it is a stupid question, you can give me shit for it as long as you help me out LOL.

Thanks.

 

The only 2 wheel drive models that use the same parts as a 4 wheel drive are Prerunners; you can tell if a 2wd Tacoma is a Prerunner if it has 6 lugs vs 5 lug.

5 lug models are all 2 wheel drive, and have different suspension components and cannot interchange.

Seeing as how you have a 1999 4 wheel drive, you can use parts from 1995.5 (or better yet, 1996) up to 2004.

 

Thank you very much, that makes so much sense now.

 

Sorry I am still a little confusing after looking at these two parts on camelback toyota website:

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-upper-control-arm-4806735050

it says this part will fit my 99 trd, but this one will not,

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/o...5PTIwMDMmdD1wcmUtcnVubmVyJmU9My00bC12Ni1nYXM=

the first one in the description says w/o pre-runner

the second description says w/ pre runner

so by this I am figuring that an 01 to 04 pre-runner UCA will not fit on my truck. is that accurate?

 

The picture you posted is different than what's on your truck. This is the part you need -

 

I'll let someone else chime in on the correct part number from Toyota; but yes a Prerunner arm is the same part for a 4 wheel drive model.

 

even if it is 01-04?

 

My god this is the dumbest question I've ever read.


But seriously, it can be a bit confusing, but as long as you look for a 5 lug, or the 6 lug, that should disspell some of that confusion.

There is the 4x4 and the 2wd PreRunner 6 lugs. These are nearly identical and share most parts. Only the prerunner doesn't have a front drivetrain (it's 2wd). Everything else is the same, suspension, etc...

The 5 lugs are what most people think of as the "2wd" model. It's the street truck, low to the ground, small tires, etc... It does share some body panels (not the front fenders) with its 6-lug brethren, but the suspension is completely different.

That said, as long as you are looking within the "1st gen" (1995.5-2004) Tacomas, the 6 lugs all share the same FRONT suspension.

The rear suspension went through some changes around 1997-1998, so don't try and fit 1997 leaf springs on your 2003, for example.

 

Yes; the changes were interior/exterior.

You only have to worry about rear leaf springs if we're talking early 1st gen.

 

OK, thank you both for clearing that up. the website was confusing me...

 

I am curious @Zimm!

Do you have a lift on your truck?

I ask because it could be worth going aftermarket (Total Chaos, SPC, etc) for your upper control arms as they allow you to achieve proper alignment if it's lifted.

 

Yes, the UCAs and the LCAs are all the same for 1st gen 6 lugs.

What you're posting here is for the 5 lug...

 

No lift. I need to redo all of the front end suspension/bushing components, and I figured it would be easier to get a cheap set of used control arms so that I can press in the new bushings before I tear apart my front end.

and also need to get all new suspension but I am not going to lift it.

 

So, just my take on lowers -

I bought a set of used lower control arms from a member on here. Intent was to push out the bushings, clean them up, put new bushings in, and minimize down time by just swapping out the control arms on my truck.

I did this 3-4 months ago and used Whiteline Poly bushings.

I just pulled them apart about 2 weeks ago because I've had some bad squeaking coming from the front; the grease that came with them wasn't up to snuff. I used a whole small tube of Super Lube and I really feel that this stuff will last a lot longer.

So if you go with Poly bushings, invest in a good grease and go to town on them.

The factory uses rubber bushings and I was close to buying some from Rockauto, but question their quality since they're all third party. The bushings new from Toyota are over $100 for each arm

 

Cool Thank you,

Ya I read this thread regarding the poly Whitelines bushings. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lca-bushings-oem-energy-suspension-whiteline.394935/

I also read on there that the OEM rubber bushings will last longer than the poly bushings. I haven't looked into cost of the toyota bushings yet, but a set of Whitelines are $63 for both sides. so if that is true I will probably go for Whitelines.

overall, do you think spending a little more on some used LCA's was a good call?

 

Absolutely.

I only recently turned my truck into a daily driver, so I find it convenient to have it down for as little time as possible.

Plus, my extra LCA's are in great shape sans the bushings.

They're now "back ups" unless a certain member wants them in the next week or so.

 

hahaha and you're in Monterey, I live in Santa Barbara. how much would you want for them?

 

Let's put that thought on the back burner because I'm actually heading down south next Wednesday.

I've pushed someone else to change his damn LCA bushings out for awhile now that I told him I've got extra LCA's to help speed up the process

If he doesn't want them, maybe you can pick them up from me as I'll bring them with me anyway.

I'd only want $100 for them.

 

Sounds good to me, let me know.

$100 for the pair? or each?

 

For the pair; I ain't trying to make a buck off anyone.