Needing new LCAs after Kings install

Hello TW-

I recently installed king 2.5 coilovers with JBA UCAs in my 2008 Tacoma TRD 4x4 dcsb, I've been getting terrible popping when off roading and noticed my bushings to my lower control arms are shot and my ball joints look like they are about to go as well. I was curious on what would be the best LCA for midtravel kings. I noticed Dirt King and Total Chaos offer LCAs but was curious on what everyone through was the best bang for the buck.

New LCAs from the dealership at $720/ each so figured it would be easier to just go aftermarket and be happier all together. I really do not want to replace the bushing/ ball joints on the stock LCAs. Thank you in advance!

 

you can’t go wrong with either TC or dirt king.

 

So I replaced my LCAs earlier this year because I bent the passenger side spindle and LCA and here is what I learned.

Both TotalChaos and DirtKing make fantastic products but I happened to go with TotalChaos Race Series stock length LCA so this is based on that experience.

1) They don't work with shocks that used bushings. You shouldn't have a problem since you already have Kings but I didn't know this at the time so I had to replace my shocks.
2) The lower ball joint attachment needs to be modified (ie grind off the stearing stop that ends up resting against the LCA when at full lock)
3) At first your steering radius will be greatly reduced. Over time the modifed lower ball joint attachment and the LCA will clearance themselves (basically removes softer metal on the weld) and just that little bit of metal removed greatly improves turning radius. I think its still a bit wider than stock but now I don't really notice it much.

Here is the LCA freshly installed.


Here it is after driving home. You can see its just starting to clearance itself.


Here it is after a couple more days of driving



The non race series install instructions don't mention the need to modify the lower ball joint attachment. This is because those LCAs use an adapter that puts the lower ball joint attachment above the LCA.
See instructions here.
http://www.chaosfab.com/PDF/install/accessories/86500.pdf


Now if you look at the Dirt King LCA they add a steering stop to the LCA and you don't need to modify the lower ball joint attachment.

In short you can't go wrong with either product.

 

Awesome write up! If you had to go back and do it again would you go with the Dirt King? I love the way the Total Chaos looks but after hearing that you need to modify it a bit to get the ball joint to fit I may go the Dirt King route. It doesn't look like to crazy of a job to get the Total Chaos to work but curious on what your thoughts are.

I really appreciate you taking the time to post this, this is huge to me. I hate buying these things (that aren't cheap) and realizing that its not a plug and play and take some cleaver thinking to get them to work.

 

I didn't do the install myself so the extra work wasn't really a factor for me.

However if I knew all this before I would probably go with DirtKing for the following reasons:
1) Dirt King is less expensive
2) Wouldn't have had to purchase kings at the same time since they work with OEM shocks.
3) Don't need to modify the lower ball joint attachment

If I wasn't in a rush because of the truck being almost undrivable I could have probably installed the Dirt King kit myself as it looks like its just a bolt in product.

Now I also had TC Spindle Gussets and Cam Tab gussets installed at the same time so I was basically rebuilding my front end.

 

TC arms are dual shocks capable if you ever decide to go that route later on. I dont think DK arms allow that.

 

Just for clarity. Neither to TC or DK LCAs use ball joints. They both use uni-balls. However they use the stock lower ball joint attachment to bolt the spindle to the LCA.

 

True. Though TC makes both a single shock and dual shock stock length LCA.
The dual shock will require wheel spacers for MOST wheels. However something like SCS F5, Stealth6 with a 3.5" BS may work with the dual shock LCA w/o spacers.

I opted for the single shock LCA as I am not really into the high speed desert runs.

Also if you really plan on using the dual shock setup the just go long travel.

 

dude real question is: any chance this would happen to a third gen if I bought 2.5 kings ext w/ res? you're scaring me

 

His issue didn't happen because he bought Kings.
His issue happened because of the age of his LCA.

So yes eventually you will probably have issues with the stock LCA bushings. It will happen sooner if you wheel often.