Upper control arms

What UCA’s are people using, I have a 2” lift and am debating on JBA and SPC arms, thoughts?

 

I can't tell you my personal experience but I see a lot of people with JBA's and I don't see many complain about them

 

Go with the SPC…it has more adjustments….I did purchase a JBA upper control arm ,which is perfectly fine for a 2 inch lift…for my son’s 2016 Tacoma….
I purchase the SPC for my 2019 Tacoma..slightly higher lift..but both would work just fine..
Note both requires maintenance..greasing mainly…
I believe the JBA was cheaper?
Either one would be better then non…
Aloha

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.738745/#post-26297106

 

Thank you to Bertw192 for posting over 40 brands of upper control arm made for the Tacomas..WOW…. Good thing we need only two uca arms.

If you are looking at Uni joint systems…do your research here on the maintenance..extremely high..almost weekly? Replacement parts..
Spc & JBA..easier to replace the ball joints…& cheaper ..less maintenance?
Aloha

 

What are your goals? Alignment adjustment? Greater coil spring clearance? Other?

Unless I was installing larger coil springs, extended travel shocks, trying to fit 33”+ tires, or having trouble aligning my truck to my desired specs, I don’t think I would bother with changing out my UCAs.

But in any case, it would be easier to answer your question if we knew your goals.

 

I'm curious to see some info on the new Toyota UCA's from the '22 Pro.

 

Uni joints? As in…uniballs?

 

I agree as far as for goals…a stock Tacoma will never need a aftermarket UCAs…. Once you decide you want to make your Tacoma a more cable off roader…lifts ,increase tire sizes, better shocks, adding a UCA arms with more travel…makes sense…. Off course those Tacoma under 2 inches of lift..most people say , the stock ones will work just fine…

Thank you for the correction Uni ball..not Uni joints…

 

SPCs for half price from Rock Auto. I paid about $400 a couple months ago, price went up to around $430 since because “things”…

Mevotech CMS861196
Mevotech CMS861197

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6506961&pt=10401&jsn=1397&_nck=Ekt6BqBF1pwlXdx0gYlm1esw98pF26vehMm/GG3C/l2QOXSJubi7WaPjz7KO9EMW21RJT6vf0kEghrJNXihCGyPZrQvddCT9OMNilbRGbIoqNlJzpJzTCpj3a8hqWQd/JR6dGSYKJv1Y0/EdZX75E3zaSAdsuLVsX3k+k4SXWUd4M/eubaf9PgKq4QeWFoIETI/RdjAHlkY5rq+ySL9fbHx4ojgx0aOII5d3UcekoQ0lFfwO6Ov2biJoUoRT6tmNBSk2bKQbETPzQJ5aAtRiLKK0nfVCUIT/Q6r9eP0HKdFIWTwmcyypsLijf3bnz1ATXhM23x7wx0n2YikTtodypEeGVJbLtqUa

 

I’ve put a 2” lift on it. And am looking to off road occasionally. And at some point put a bigger wheel and tire on it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ucas-recommended-or-not.756479/

 

I bought a Stage 2 Ironman kit that included some beefy aluminum UCA’s. After installing the shocks and lifting my truck ~2” I decided to get an alignment before installing the UCA’s; the caster was within specs so I sold them on Craigslist.

My point is that if you’re only doing a 2” lift, you might be able to save some $$$ and just keep using your stock UCA’s...

 

I went with the SPCs for now. The reasons were I was putting on 33" tires with no lift or trimming and wanted wide open adjustment for clearance. I will be doing other things to the lift, tire size, cutting, trimming, body mount stuff later. Just thought it was a flexible option for down the road. Yes, I may in the end have made a mistake, but this was for me the easiest answer to... whatever.

I was able to move the tires forward enough so there is no contact behind the tire, out front I do have some against the plastic. That junk plastic bumper stuff will be coming off, so I am fine with it.

 

Once you adjust your tires forward, all you need to do is move the inner liner forward re-secure it and trim the lower part of the bumper. here's pictures of what needs to be done.
(Pictures taken with 285/70R17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers on Procomp 17x9" wheels with 4.75 BS.)

Liner moved forward:


Trim lower corner of the bumper cover:


You gain about 2-3" of additional clearance:


This is what I trimmed from the front plastics.


Here's the clearance at the rear part of the front tire.


Here's the clearance I have from the cab mount. Approx. 1" no rubbing at all off-roading.


Here's the clearance I have in the front after moving the liner forward, and minor trimming.


This what it looked like with those tires and a 2" lift.

 

Thanks for the pics.

I will be doing a lot more trimming than that, practically removing the whole plastic bumper eventually with a minimal bumper and winch mounted higher than most, plus some front frame reinforcement.

 

I am surprised to read how people with approx 2inch lift or stock can add 33” tires and NO rubbing…
My son’s 2016 with a simple Bilstein 2” lift ,32 inch AT BFGs….Stock UCAs….NO issues with tire rubbing…

My 2019 Tacoma Bilstein 2.5 inch lift… 32 BFG AT..I had to do a CMC, move the tires forward …trim parts of the plastic fenders, yet still have a little rubbing ..mostly in reversing…both of us aftermarket rims with 12 offset..

Do you think a true 3” lift on the 3gen Tacomas will solve these rubbing issues? Or is there a difference in the fender between the 2016, 2017 & up?
Aloha

 

I’m running Camburg’s “X joints” with the dust seal cap. I live in San Diego so no real threat of salty road conditions and all that stuff. This is just my opinion, but unless your running long travel the billet UCA’s are way over kill, they look cool as hell but way much for a mid travel set up. I specifically stuck with the poly bushings to stay away from heimed. I have a long travel kit on my F150 with heimed all the way around and you can feel everything when driving, not necessarily bad, but not what I wanted for my taco.

 

If you're on Oahu I can take a look at your truck to see if I can help you gain the needed clearance? You can check out my set up also.

 

You have negative 12 offset right?