Upper control arms recommendations

Been running my spc control arms now for like 15 k miles got a second set of bad ball joints this pair lasted about the same as the last 6 k and the start getting loose Getting sick of buying replacements thinking about replacing the whole arm need suggestions

 

Dirt king with a ball joint. Won't break the bank and replacement ball joints are easy to source. Stay away from JBA. Their ball joints don't last worth a shit either.

https://dirtkingfabrication.com/collections/tacoma/products/ball-joint-upper-control-arms-dk-811901

 

That’s the problem iv heard ball joints don’t last long in Vermont either could be it’s just Vermont that’s hard on ball joints I can see that this time of year all the roads are like muddy trails here

 

Sorry typo do the dirt kings come with a ball joints over a unit ball do t want a uni ball

 

They come with a ball joint. You're correct that uniballs aren't good for your needs.

 

JBA's

Home page (jbaoffroad.com)

 

Do you grease them? My SPC ball joints have about 35k hard miles on them.

 

Ya pretty regularly too maybe they need it even more often I don’t know I’ll admit they have had some hard miles on them

 

I heard to stay away from the SPC and JBA’s as well... I did about a months worth of research and ended up going with Camburg UCA’s with their new X-Joint. I live in MD, so I know all about harsh winters and what road salt can cause as far as premature wear on joints. These seemed like the best for my needs anyway...

 

My vote is dirt king. Fantastic UCas!

 

How are you liking the X-Joint? I was looking at them, but there doesn't seem to be much info on them because they're new.

 

I have had the same JBA's on my truck now for almost 3 years or so, and only replaced the Ball Joint due a recall on the coating. TONS of salt used here in Mass and never an issue.

 

my originals ball joints lasted 10k with the OME shocks I had (they were way too stiff and preloaded way too much from the factory), probably should have replaced sooner. With the new shocks I have on there now (ADS with 700# 14” coils) they seem to be lasting longer. SPC makes a good product, the only thing I wish they had was zercs where the bushings are on the ends of the arm.

 

I grease my spc UCa every oil change or after every hard off-roading trip.

 

I was greasing them about that often as well maybe not after every trip since I go many times a week on short ones

 

Cant tell you that... sadly, they are still in the box. I’m waiting on my Eibach 2.0 coil overs (supposed to be delivered today) so I can install everything in one shot. But they look great, and have a massive range of flex. Will update once installed.

 

I have JBA's too and I'm happy with them. Keep em greased and they shouldn't have issues. If they need to be replaced, it's easy and inexpensive. They may have minor clearance issues with certain sized tire & wheel combos, though.

 

I grease before and after every offroad trip and at every 5k miles.

 

since we're on the topic on uca, I'm planning to eventually get my truck lifted 2 inches max in the future. I've read that new uca are not required as long as you don't lift any higher then 2 inches. so is there any downsides or benefits if they're upgraded or not?

 

@Huha

If you're running big tires or wider wheels, aftermarket UCA can go 4+ caster, pushing tge wheel forward to help clear rear wheel and cab mount.

I'm 285/75/17 + .75" wheel spacers, with 4.5 caster and zero rubs.