Game Changing LCAs (BTFFabrication)

If I had to guess I'd say it's probably about spring clearance at droop but I havent done the measurements myself to know for sure.

 

Depends upon how the spring is clocked. If you’re lucky the oem uca will slip between the coils without hitting. May require rotating the spring once everything is mounted. I did this before putting uca’s on my truck.

 

Installed, aligned, and then drove an hour on the highway. Caster is 7.0/7.0. Ended up getting limit strap mounts welded to the rear of the LCAs rather than mounting them to the eyebolt, and swapping out that LBJ zerk to a needle-style for accessibility. Feels great so far. Should be taking it for a test run at a OHV park tomorrow before I head out to Utah next week.

 

wow 7! I followed this thread but didn't really read it most of the time. That is impressive. I could see this in my future.

 

so how much tire clearance did you gain with this? Looks like you could get more caster out of them if you really wanted. That’s insane.

 

Didn't think to do a before and after measurement, but there's definitely more space towards the firewall, although it's worth noting that my uptravel is probably more limited because I was already hitting the inner fender under the battery cage and wiper fluid reservoir, and probably will be hitting a little further forward and lower.

Also didn't get a chance to flex them out yesterday, because the 4WD section of the OHV park was inexplicably closed. Going to give it another go elsewhere today.

 

My outer fenders and flares are trimmed and I have an aggressive CMC with hammered pinch welds, so I just measured from the driver-side tire to the nearest point on the firewall at ride height. Tires and wheels are 35x10.5R17 Kenda and 4Runner SEMAs with a 1.25" Spidertrax spacer. YMMV.

Wheel straight: 4" clearance
Wheel turned: Just shy of 1.5".

 

For anyone that has ordered recently, how long did it take from purchase to shipping?

 

Anyone with these LCAs have premature LBJ wear? I've got a little less than 10k miles on these with only some mild trail riding and the LBJs have a fair amount of up/down play in them and need to get replaced. Definitely a little disappointed in this development.

 

^They use off the shelf Moog ball joints. If they're wearing faster than expected, you can try ordering Toyota OEM ball joints from Japan on eBay. Also see: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-ball-joints.859878/

 

I have 20k on them ~2.5 years and they're still solid. I do put a weld bead where the steering stops hit from time to time rather than cutting the stops but that's it. My miles are a mix of general road and slow crawling around the mountains.

 

Ive had mine on for few months. Def gave me more clearance for 35's. Running 6.8 caster. I can feel a small amount of wandering, very small though. Alignment shop (Tru Automotive) also told me that this high of caster can create that a little. But its pretty minimal.

Im going to switch to the 22+ red billet arms on the TRD Pro's bc they likely dont have additional caster.

The only other think that I noticed was a little bit more bouncyness on certain roads on the freeway around here, im guessing from the poly bushings.... or maybe bc of the wheel being more forward. Overall im happy w them bc i didnt want to pay for a bodymount relocation and wanted to keep my chop instead.

 

@essjay sorry, havent read through the entire thread- did you install those UCA (camburgs? Can't quite read the sticker) prior to these LCA's? Are they an uca that is meant to add caster, or are they just one that keeps the oem upper bj position?

 

I had the Camburgs installed several months prior to the LCAs. They do increase caster, and did cause a bit of rubbing on the firewall with maxed out caster on OEM LCAs.

 

Do you have a full alignment sheet pic handy? Sorry to bug you, I'm trying to plan moves towards skinnt 35's at as close to stock ride height as possible. These lca's paired with an uca seem to be the move if they can help push the spindle away from the firewall.

 

They will definitely help. I have these with DK UCAs that add caster and if I max out the lca my tire hits the front of the firewall / headlight area before the rear. Which gives you a little room to fool with adjusting the alignment. Somewhere in my thread shows the tire fitment with no shock installed showing the clearance. When crawling I’ll hit the front fender area at full bump while turned - if going too fast. I’ll take that all day.

 

2023 Gen 3 MT DC OR. Running 285/75/R17s on Zero offset wheels. Had some rubbing. Did not want to cut body mount but needed to move wheels forward. Live in the PNW and it’s sloppy for most of the year and wanted mud flaps. Came across this thread, ordered and received delivery in the spring, finally installed. Well built and easy to install.

Had a bit of a struggle with the alignment shop and not happy with how they set alignment bolts and will be looking for a shop with a tech that doesn’t reek like alcohol and who can actually communicate - I guess it’s asking too much.

Ended up with a Caster of 5.1/5.2 and have a bit of a wander I think because wheels want to return to center and I’m fighting it a bit on roads with a crown. Otherwise very happy.
Was able to add mud flaps and only had to do a minor cut to the plastic in front. No rubbing anywhere and plenty of space. This is how the truck should have been built.

I do note that as others have stated that after cutting the turning stop off the ball joint bracket it does contact the corner of the BTF LCA but it’s the bottom of the spindle that is contacting it not the bracket I would probably cut a little less off it if I did it again. I added a zoomed in photo of this at bottom.

 

Hey LifeInMotion, very nice looking rig you have.
Wish that canopy fit on my second gen.

I don't have the BTF LCA but if you're in British Columbia, and I mean right across the border, go to a place called https://bigcountrycustoms.com/
For your wheel alignment.

I've been to 2 off-road 4x shops and 2 alignment shops one of which my friend owns but only works on cars mostly exotic, and none of them could make my truck feel, drive, steer great.
Went to BCC and absolutely love the way the truck feels now. Tracks straight, no fight, no wonder, no tire wear. Been on that alignment for last 2.5 yrs.
Going back when I get my new rubber.