JBA Offroad Upper Control Arms And Suspension MEGA Thread BS thread

So I haven’t lifted yet because I can’t make up my mind on what to do. And the whole cost of doing things right the first time without spending the kids college fund slows things down.

I have made up my mind that I’m going to use JBA UCAs even if I only go 2” or so. My FJ was lifted with stock arms and it was like a puppy trying to chase squirrels all over the road.

My question is, if I get the UCAs before the lift is there anything to be gained by installing them with the factory suspension? Is it even possible to install the UCAs designed for a lift without a lift and still meet alignment specs?

Thanks in advance.

 

There’s really nothing to gain installing them at stock ride height. I’d just wait until you have a lift to install as well.

 

x2 Agreed

 

Thanks. I just get impatient and want to install everything. The truck has 1000 miles on it so I'm trying to force myself to wait and try it out for a while stock so I don't waste money double upgrading things like suspension.

 

I plan on a Firestone Lifetime alignment. I mess with stuff too much to pay $80 a shot. I hunt and camp so I will be lifting for sure to make those travels more fun. I'm just trying to find that balance between cost/perfomance/need with the suspension. I already have a set of tires sitting in the garage waiting for me to get back in town. I bought 265/75r16 because I knew if I lifted first I would have talked myself into 285s and I'm pretty sure I don't want to make that jump yet.

The rear springs have already disappointed. I added a shell and lost 3/4". I want to do an AAL immediately but I'm afraid it will give waaaaay too much rake and look terrible while I'm deciding on the front setup.

 

You could do a 1-1/2” progressive 3 leaf AAL. It will right good and give you that 1” back with the canopy on.

 

Anyone in here have an issue rubbing UCA on spring at full droop? Mine is 4R/FJ/120 chassis not taco but taco front suspension is the same. I did a quick search through this thread but only found mention of tire rub, not spring rub...

 

I'm not even close at full droop. Running OME coils.

 

Yeah sorry I can't take pics anywhere on worksite so I'll grab one after work! Running Billy 6112s

 

just a sanity check, the coilover top hat mounts are not directional, correct? I made the assumption that the 3 mounting bolts were concentric and didn't pay any attention to top hat orientation relative to the frame mount. My driver is deff rubbing, the passenger not nearly as much but I think it may be falling perfectly between two coil winds. I know, pics are worth a thousand words

 

Top hats are not directional. Problem is with Bilstein, their droop is more excessive than other brands.

 

Ill still get you guys pics but maybe limit straps are in my future...

 

You also have a 3.0" OD spring with the 6112s. But yes, you can't go wrong with limit straps.

 

Try turning the spring so the uca doesn't hit it.

 

ill deff try turning the spring, I had thought about that and I'm not sure if illbe able to get it to turn under tension but its worth a shot. the spring seat on bottom should turn just find on the circlip but the top rubber seat will probably have some good friction.

here's a pic I dug up from the weekend, note the ball joints weren't tightened at this point but it gives a basic idea of how much droop. I'll deff get better pictures of the uca on spring from the side/back, etc.

I hadn't realized the billys had so much droop relative to others

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=RGhDVWFxZlJERlFxMkxTWHdEbWRrZFVyZjFuc1BR

(sorrythe pic isn't embedded, google photo/TW isn't playing nicely on my computer right now )

 

Wow, yeah my extended Fox 2.5s are close but not touching. The only issue I ever had was 295s rubbing on 4.5” backspacing rims.

 

So I had the coilover out to put a small DS spacer to fix the yota lean and spun the whole coilover 180*. now instead of the UCA rubbing and hitting the OD of a coil, it falls between two coils and sits down ontop of a coil. better... not ideal. I apologize for the dark after pictures, my camera flash only worked for one of the photos.

Before:











After (it's the angle of the pic, the UBJ doesnt fall between the coils):

 

yeah no doubt. I can't beleive how much droop this set up combination has

what OD springs do icons/fox/kings/etc use if Billy 6112 is considered "large" at 3"?

 

They're 3" as well.