1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: I suck at U joints Air compressor options Oil filter help?? Best aftermarket headlights Bank 1 sensor 1 O2 sensor 2011 Headlight replacements

2nd Gen UCA - Light Racing vs. Built Right vs. JBA

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by tyfoon11, Apr 27, 2015.

?

Which would you pick for the money?

  1. JBA

  2. Built Right

  3. Light Racing

Results are only viewable after voting.
Page 1 of 5
  1. Apr 27, 2015 at 5:03 PM
    #1
    tyfoon11

    #1
    tyfoon11 [OP] Raguel

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Member:
    #133462
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Where bald eagles roam, Ca
    garden shed
    hi all. so looking into UCA upgrade options without breaking the bank and so far I am between the following options - Light Racing, Built Right and JBA. they are all in a similar price bracket, all pretty different and have pro's/cons. would love to hear thoughts and experiences on them.

    Light Racing - cheapest option and adjustable, but have read that they tend to fail

    Built Right - Group buy going
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-built-right-ucas.97398/

    JBA - Newcomer, untested. Interesting design elements - uses stock OEM bushings, low maintenance, easily replaceable ball joint and lifetime warranty on the arm itself
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-product-jba-upper-control-arms.364484/
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2015
    tyfoon11, Apr 27, 2015
    #1
  2. Apr 27, 2015 at 5:16 PM
    #2
    nd4spdbh

    #2
    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,863
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    id be interested in seeing if the JBA arms balljoint offers more degree of movement to allow for more droop.
     
    nd4spdbh, Apr 27, 2015
    #2
  3. Apr 27, 2015 at 6:51 PM
    #3
    iRepLONGBEACH

    #3
    iRepLONGBEACH SoCal Reppin

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2011
    Member:
    #52506
    Messages:
    782
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    10 MgM dcsb TRD Sport
    Light racing uca issues has been resolved awhile back. If I remember correctly, the issues were from 2009 or so.
     
    iRepLONGBEACH, Apr 27, 2015
    #3
  4. Apr 27, 2015 at 6:52 PM
    #4
    OZ-T

    #4
    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,422
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Crom just installed the JBA UCA's on his rig
     
    OZ-T, Apr 27, 2015
    #4
  5. Apr 28, 2015 at 8:08 AM
    #5
    tyfoon11

    #5
    tyfoon11 [OP] Raguel

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Member:
    #133462
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Where bald eagles roam, Ca
    garden shed
    I think they are listed at up to 4inches of lift, so does that translate into them having more droop? I like how easily replaceable the ball joint is, and how cheap. I've seen them listed at about $10 each online.
     
    tyfoon11, Apr 28, 2015
    #5
  6. Apr 28, 2015 at 8:22 AM
    #6
    nd4spdbh

    #6
    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,863
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    yeah they use big ole GM 1 ton upper ball joints... just wondering if those ball joints offer any extra flex than stock.
     
    nd4spdbh, Apr 28, 2015
    #6
  7. Apr 28, 2015 at 8:28 AM
    #7
    BudMan

    #7
    BudMan knee scooters R us

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2013
    Member:
    #96465
    Messages:
    5,585
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bret
    Alameda, CA, (Bay Area)
    Vehicle:
    06 TRD Sport DC 4x4
    stuff
    The Built Rights should be the strongest with the uniball, but also added maintenance. Adding some Teflon lube and cleaning once in awhile wouldn't be too bad imho. For the record I have Camburg bj uca and they have been fine, but with more and more wheeling going on, I'd buy uniballs if I could go back in time
     
    BudMan, Apr 28, 2015
    #7
  8. Apr 28, 2015 at 8:48 AM
    #8
    tacoma guy

    #8
    tacoma guy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2010
    Member:
    #39944
    Messages:
    1,756
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Phoenix Az.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma Prerunner TRD
    Bilstein 5100's on all four corners. Front set @ 0 with OME 883x coils. Alcon leaf springs. Viper Alarm. Wet Okole seat covers. WeatherTech Floor liners front and back. Oem Toyota chrome exhaust tip. ARE Shell. America Outlaw Wheels.
    Going to be following this one closely . I am looking at the Light Racing or the JBA myself .
     
    tacoma guy, Apr 28, 2015
    #8
  9. Apr 28, 2015 at 9:17 AM
    #9
    Schmidt

    #9
    Schmidt Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2015
    Member:
    #148463
    Messages:
    34
    Gender:
    Male
    Surrey, B.C.
    Vehicle:
    06 TRD Sport
    Fox mid travel setup
    I would highly point anybody away from light racing (SPC) UCA bought them 6 months ago and the ball joints are already failing. With it been my DD and only been off-road with it a handful of time they should have lasted alot more than that.
     
    Schmidt, Apr 28, 2015
    #9
  10. Apr 28, 2015 at 9:40 AM
    #10
    tyfoon11

    #10
    tyfoon11 [OP] Raguel

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Member:
    #133462
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Where bald eagles roam, Ca
    garden shed
    mine is my DD as well, with occasional wheeling. that's why I keep going back to the OEM bushings and easily replaceable joints - AND lifetime warranty on the rest. so if I break it, they will replace it, and its cheap to keep spare parts.

    lol, sounds like I'm talking myself into the JBA's, but i'll wait for some more opinions

    :popcorn:


    @EDDO @BBtacosurfer @Mademan925 @MJonAgs32
     
    tyfoon11, Apr 28, 2015
    #10
  11. Apr 28, 2015 at 9:49 AM
    #11
    tyfoon11

    #11
    tyfoon11 [OP] Raguel

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Member:
    #133462
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Where bald eagles roam, Ca
    garden shed
    @Crom ... any thoughts yet?
     
    tyfoon11, Apr 28, 2015
    #11
  12. Apr 28, 2015 at 10:45 AM
    #12
    Crom

    #12
    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    I really like my JBA UCA's. I installed them on April 18th, and wrote about it and put pictures in this thread here. I have not wheeled the truck yet. The ride is excellent on road and other street obstacles, curbs, ramps, etc.

    • The JBA arms are nearly 2lbs more beef than the Toyota factory arms, I weighed them in the linked thread above.
    • Reasonable cost
    • Lifetime warranty
    • Easily serviceable ball joint with grease Zerk fitting
    • Easily obtainable and service replacement ball joint
    • Factory bushings.
    • Excellent construction.
    Marlin the JBA owner has had extensive experience in the heep world, so I trusted his experience that he would get the Toyota design right, and IMO, he has.

    I got it aligned the day after I did the install and I'm quite happy with the results.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2015
    Crom, Apr 28, 2015
    #12
  13. Apr 28, 2015 at 11:05 AM
    #13
    EDDO

    #13
    EDDO                         

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2014
    Member:
    #125165
    Messages:
    4,017
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    19 TUNDRA
    Dammit Jay! I had myself convinced that I was happy to keep my stock UCAs.
     
    EDDO, Apr 28, 2015
    #13
  14. Apr 28, 2015 at 11:06 AM
    #14
    nd4spdbh

    #14
    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,863
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    were you able to measure before and after as far as droop measurements? I assume your running something like 5100's in the front, did you have to compress the suspension when bolting the UCA onto the spindle. or could the suspension be at full droop as you bolted the uca on?
     
    nd4spdbh, Apr 28, 2015
    #14
  15. Apr 28, 2015 at 11:22 AM
    #15
    Crom

    #15
    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    I did not measure, thought never occurred to me. I have OME nitochargers 90021 with 885 coils. I did not have to compress suspension when hooking up the ball joint. I just positioned the spindle by hand, and put the ball joint together and threaded the castle nut on and toqued to spec. Did it all by myself, with simple hand tools. The castle nut on the JBA is 26mm IIRC... So, much bigger then the 19mm Toyota one.
     
    Crom, Apr 28, 2015
    #15
  16. Apr 28, 2015 at 12:49 PM
    #16
    tyfoon11

    #16
    tyfoon11 [OP] Raguel

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Member:
    #133462
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Where bald eagles roam, Ca
    garden shed
    :devil:
     
    tyfoon11, Apr 28, 2015
    #16
  17. Apr 28, 2015 at 1:09 PM
    #17
    nd4spdbh

    #17
    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,863
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    when you installed it did you have the truck jacked up by the LCA or was the suspension at full droop (truck supported at the frame)?
     
    nd4spdbh, Apr 28, 2015
    #17
  18. Apr 28, 2015 at 1:16 PM
    #18
    Westside

    #18
    Westside Southbound

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2012
    Member:
    #71292
    Messages:
    5,328
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JT
    Nor Cal, East Bay
    Vehicle:
    TRD Sport 4X4
    This^^^ I'm sorry I ever wasted my time, money or risked my neck with their junk. Shame on them for putting us all at risk.

    I love my Total Chaos UCA's
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2015
    Westside, Apr 28, 2015
    #18
  19. Apr 28, 2015 at 1:25 PM
    #19
    OZ-T

    #19
    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,422
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    No problems with my LR UCAs after 4 1/2 years
     
    OZ-T, Apr 28, 2015
    #19
    mAtTyG04 likes this.
  20. Apr 28, 2015 at 4:23 PM
    #20
    Crom

    #20
    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,618
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    It was full droop. Truck supported at frame with jack stands. :D
     
    Crom, Apr 28, 2015
    #20
Page 1 of 5

Products Discussed in

MOOG K6292 Front Upper Suspension Ball Joint for Chevrolet K1500
$28.30
To Top