JBA Offroad Upper Control Arms And Suspension MEGA Thread BS thread

Spacers will help clear the control arms but they increase the likelihood the tires will rub on the bumper or body mount. This is a game of getting it just right. As many have said, there is no answer to this question. Every truck is different. I ran a 285/70/17 on a 17x8 wheel with 0 offset and 4.5" back spacing. This is on my 2016 4Runner and I had minimal rubbing on the inner lip of the front bumper in reverse at full lock. That's with zero lift, completely stock suspension. Other guys run the same setup and have extreme rubbing. There's unfortunately no perfect science with the Tacoma or 4Runner. The nature of body on frame trucks, no 2 are identical.

 

I really liked the idea of the JBA but it didn't work for me. I'm sorry to see them go but there is a big difference in manufacturers. That's a Total Chaos on top of the JBA. And the pitch of the forward tube is higher on the TC. I couldn't turn my wheel very far before I would rub hard on the flat plate that holds the ball joint. Now I can turn full lock and stick fingers between the tire and uca. I'm not badmouthing the product. I really liked the idea of them but it didn't work for my application.

 

I agree that going to something like the TC is better choice for your setup running 35s. I have the JBAs installed. Had the Icons on before but got tired of having to grease and replace the bushings.

 

Thinking about these arms, but... I don't want to have any tire rubbing the arm issues.

 

Im running 265/70-17 Duratrac on stock Sport wheels. I have no rubbing. Plenty of clearance to spare. I know several that have 285/70-17 with aftermarket wheels who have no issues with rubbing or clearance.

 

Y'all really need to stop blaming JBA, for YOUR wheels not having the backspacing to clear YOUR tire choices. When you modify your system, you run the risk of a compromise due to incompatible components or adjustments, that's just how the aftermarket works. The JBA arms are designed to do a job, provide better suspension geometry for alignment and clean cycling at lift. They are not designed to work with every wheel and tire combination that's out there. When you choose a 305 or even a 285 metric width tire, you are going to have clearance issues with the cab-mounts, UCA, LCA, and/or pinch-weld if you do not have adequate backspacing and even then trimming will most likely be required. Remember that we are talking about a truck that comes to the market with a 265/31" tire and these arms are aftermarket replacements.

I check on this thread because I see JBA trying to get the most out of the ball joint to cut the costs to the consumer who wants better alignment angles and suspension geometry with a mild lift but doesn't want to step up to the expenses and maintenance of a uniball arm. It perplexes me that a group of users, no one exclusively, come and post complaining that the product is not working when they are using it in non-optimal circumstance. It gives the impression to others that the product is broken or doesn't work at all, when this isn't the case for most owners. My stock wheels and stock UCA rubbed the UCA, LCA, and frame with 285 width tires, and I don't see anyone complaining about them.

As with modifying all suspension systems, choose ALL components to suit YOUR purpose If your goal is to fit a 35" tire, then do your due-diligence in choosing a lift method, wheel, UCA, and possibly other components that will be compatible with that tire. Keep in mind that you will most likely still need to trim for the fenders to clearance. Don't half-ass it and expect it all to function perfectly.

/end rant

 

But it is a time-honored tradition to just buy a bunch of stuff without taking the time to really research the large number of factors and related effects to understand what you are doing. And then doing it all over again after some painful lessons.

Gosh, that also sounds like having sex.

 

People talking about their experiences with different product combinations puts information out there for other people to research......

 

That's what I like to hear since I'm currently running the same tire setup until I switch to 255/85R16's next year. I may put on spacers on the stock wheels but I haven't decided yet.

 

You may not need to since you are running a thinner than stock tire. Me personally am not a fan of spacers, so discourage others from using them if they can.

 

Just to put out there I really like my JBA UCA's. Very well made, I like the ball joint setup, The powder coat is great,it didnt even rub off where my tires were rubbing. They just stick out slightly more than some of the other arms. Definitly not blaming JBA for my clearance issue,only rub at full lock if i would back my sterring wheel off just an inch or two it would not rub. My 275/70/18 and 4.5 backspacing just didn't work well with the JBA arms...So 285/75/16 4.0 backspacing ray 10's should solve my issue. I really don't want o go with a different UCA.

 

Love my jba's they have been on my truck 8 months with a 3" lift solid product from a good dude.

 

Had my suspension installed today. 6112s w/ Eibach 650# springs, JBA UCAs, OME Dakar full leaf pack w/

$81 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl aal and Bilsten 5100 B110 shocks.

Where to start....With the rear set up above the ass end of the truck is quite high (almost too high). I have a SnugTop Rebel cap and a sleeping platform in the bed all the time but I did the aal because I will have a rear bumper, tire swing out and fuel swing out in a month and then next year the cap goes for a bed rack, RTT, fridge and gear. I will measure and take pictures later this week.

Installed the 6112s and 650# Springs on the 4th notch- HOLY MOTHER OF it is high (not almost as above, but actually too high). I did not get solid before measurements but I'm looking at just under 4" of lift in the front. I know the 650# springs are stiffer than the 600# ones that come with the 6112 kit but DAMN it's almost like they're installed incorrectly. I put the 650# springs in because I'm doing a CBI aluminum bumper, winch, aluminum skids and slider right away and wanted to compensate for the extra weight. I should have gone with my gut and put them on the 3rd not but because it's so high I may need to drop it to the 2nd notch. I have no idea why it's so high and I'll be addressing that this week.

 

Forgot my alignment pic... @Blackout14

 

These are the 6112s that come with flat top/bottom springs not the 5100 which would use the stock or OME springs.

 

Youre on the wrong setting on those shocks.

 

Are those 6112 coils?

 

Which setting should they be on?

Those are 650# Eibach 14" springs like what Wheelers sells.

These are the same length as the coils that come in the 6112 kit (14"). The only difference is they are 650# vs 600#.

 

Oh for sure it may change the setting....that's why I should have went with my gut and had them on the 3rd notch and not the 4th. I just didn't think that the 650's on the 4th notch would be THAT high. Armour and winch are next month so my thinking was like the guys who do the OME kit with 886 springs in front in preparation for their armour being added.