Upper Control Arms

Hi I was wondering what upper control arms to run. I live here in Colorado where I get a lot of snow. Some people say that Total Chaos UCAs are amazing but require a lot of maintenance. I am willing to do that I take care of my stuff. On the other hand Dirtkings I heard also make a good UCA. From what I have heard is that SPC adjustable UCAs fail after a certain amount of mileage on them. I am just looking for the best option for my rig so it doesn’t just break or fail when I’m out here on the trails. I go off-roading quite a bit and not looking for something that will just break on me but also can with stand the Colorado Weather.

 

JBA or Total Chaos. I won't recommend SPC anymore. I've warrantied too many. Good customer service, poor quality.

 

You think with the Colorado weather the uniballs on the Total Chaos UCAs would fail easy? I don’t know how to word that

 

With salt and weather the boots on the JBA make more sense. We have similar weather to Colorado here and I agree with you.

 

I guess it depends on what the reason is to replace the stock control UCAs is.

 

JBAs imo.

 

In June 2024 they completely redesigned the ball joint. Part number 35101 has zero warranty claims. I replace mine in August 2024. From my my research things have changed.

 

Ya but I changed a boat load of them before that, and not just the ball joint, the arm bushings would clunk as well. I know a lot of shops that won't install them anymore.

 

Awesome thank you so much I was looking at these ones as well and I will be going with these then!

 

True. A lot of people driving around with bad ball joints can hurt the bushings as well. I'm just saying in one year time SPC claims zero warranties.

 

I did magic with them before covid, I could dial in any alignment, but I'm just soured by angry customers and come backs over something that should have been stopped instead of the 3 year run.

 

SPC's are still going to be crap. Their bushings are the same as before and they would go out just as fast at their ball joints. They are a pain to change too. They should have updated their bushings with the new black ball joints.

I like Dobinson's - Their arms are zero upkeep. Get the Billet arms if you can swing it.

JBA's are great but messy from greasing all the time. But they have really good articulation on their BJ.

 

Not true.

 

Adjustable UCAs without the SPC's short-lived Xaxis swivel bushings:

$343 6061 CNC Billet Aluminum Front Upper Control Arms 2-4" Suspension Lift Kit Compatible with 2005-2021 Toyota Tacoma 2WD/4WD 4X4 6LUG Adjustable Ball Joints w/Rod End Bearing Bushings Upgraded

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGR6P4KK/
https://freedomoffroadusa.com/billet-front-upper-control-arms-for-2-4-lift-fo-t701fu-bt/
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afe-460-72t001-g
https://runnin4tacos.com/products/dobinsons-front-adjustable-billet-uca-toyota-tacoma-2005-2023

 

most aftermarket arms that are rigid will have some caster and camber built into them for alignment purposes. BDS is another brand to look at. We've had good luck with their UCA's

 

Lot's of options out there, but they all usually share similar style bushings, heim joints, ball joints, uniballs etc. I would suggest taking a look through our UCA article discussing pro and con of each of those options. This may help narrow down the best pick for your needs.

 

This, but I would have never recommended SPC, haha.

JBA is the way if you want increased caster and lower maintenance. Just make sure to grease them every few months.

 

I have SPCs and they are great for getting the right alignment but the bushings are getting worn after about 2-3 years but the ball joints seem ok. Check out Accutunes UCA and do some research. I'm thinking of getting them next.

 

Really, there are only a few variables to be concerned with.

• Ball joint or uniball
• Rubber bushing, poly bushing, or heim
• Painted steel or aluminum

Most of these questions get answered by your desire for maintenance and "noises". Your local clumate has a lot to do with it.

Rubber bushings with ball joints are probably the least maintenance and quietest. Uniballs require regular lubing and cleaning, and are most effected by moisure and salts. Poly bushings require constant lubing, whereas rubber is generally maintenance free. Poly also likes to squeak.

Heim joints offer a ton of adjustability, but are extra effort to dial in, and can allow more "feedback" from road vibrations.

As far as strength, UCA's don't really take much force, so don't concern yourself with the "beefiness".

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/complete-list-of-ucas-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.738745/

FYI, I've had OEM, Icon uniballs, JBA, and now 74 Welds ball joints. They all did the same thing, it was just a matter of maintenance.

If you go with a UCA that utilizes poly bushings, look into the JBA poly bushings. They don't require you to loosen the UCA bolt to lube, which is a PITA. I installed them in my 74's and love em.