Budget UCAs - for 2-2.5" lift (Sorry in advance)

I know this is relatively beaten to death but I'm having issues finding solid opinion evidence of what will work in my situation. I want to know what you have used and if you think there is a clear decision to be made here!

The Issue: Les Schwab has attempted to align 3 times (They have graciously only charged me once.. god bless lol)
-Alignment 1 - I had 1.5" pucks on regular 5100's at the 'no lift' setting... They said no way get some SPC UCAs
-Alignment 2 - I had the 3rd gen TRD 5100s (no puck). Was at approx. 2" lift probably a tad more... They said no way we can align it you need to fix your seized control arm alignment bolt BUT you do not need new UCS...
-Alignment 3 - TRD 5100s, new alignment bolts/bushing in LCAs, Tabs have been welded to be reinforced, ALL BOLTS TURN EASY... They say (yet again) No way you need new UCAs we can not align it properly as-is (see attached below for alignment report)

Potential Solutions:
-Using a different Alignment shop as is??? Seems like I shouldn't need UCAs a with this small a lift from what I read!?! WTF
-SPC UCAs : $600-700... seems absolutely absurd in price. I really really don't want to do this
-JBA UCAs : $500.. I'm pretty sure they're non adjustable, seems to be maybe slightly more durable. still too expensive in my mind
-Freedom Offfroad - $370 on ebay: not horribly expensive... but lack of adjustability makes me think they still won't be able to align... will I be able to get ball joints when these fail??
-Torch Off Road UCAs: $275 : 2-4". This is my preffered pick right now. Only concerned with how replacing the ball joint would go down the road and weather or not I'll be able to get it actually aligned finally. Anyone have experience with these?

How I drive: I'm definitely not wheeling my daily vehicle super hard. Although 1 or 2 weekends a month I'll go out and drive a shitty forest service road for fun for sure. All low speeds crawling for me

 

When they say cant align correctly, you need to clarify better what that means.

First, do you need an alignment? Does it drive straight, feel stable, and no odd tire wear?Second can they physically not align it at all or is their tech just saying computer didn't show a green light so he doesn't know what to do?

Seized cam means physically can't align it. That will not fix itself and will prevent alignment. A good tech should be able to at least not make handling any worse until you can fix the cam by doing adjustments to remaining parts that are not seized. I doubt les schwab has put a good tech on it.

 

You can go with MEVOTECH which are actually SPC's CMS861192 and CMS861193. I did mine last year and ordered through rock auto at the time. It should save a few bucks from buying through SPC.
Rock Auto has this kit from BILSTEIN 51304683 which are 579 right now.
I know it seems ridiculous cost wise but unfortunately the old adage is true where you pay once and cry once.
I have been happy with mine.

I hope this helps.

 

This might help, having a little more knowledge might help you describe what you are ultimately after when dealing with these shops

https://youtu.be/huMztKaHsUE?si=T3dy3LHZv3RtUlus

 

Thanks for the replys you guys! All are helpful.
totmacher, I've added the alignment report and more detail on my issues!
TXTaco211, I'm not seeing those MEVOTECH model numbers on Rock Auto unfortunately :/

I am seeing a Rancho UCA that looks decent and is okay priced (RANCHO RS64901).. I wouldn't install the diff drop kit or shock spacer though if i went this route.

Has anyone had experience with the Rancho UCAs?

Thanks!

 

JBA. I've installed dozens of UCA on Tacomas. I wouldn't trust the $300 range arms, but that's just me. You get what you pay for.

 

Hell they didn’t even try. They set toe and pulled it off the rack.

 

Based on the printout, i agree you likely need uca to make it handle well and have good tire wear. Might be able to get it ok but cams would be maxed out and tech would have to be halfway good at his job.

I personally would look for lowest maintenance option. A balljoint style and oem style bushings that you dont have to grease.

 

Well done video, Thanks for posting

 

Yes they are no longer on rock auto but they are on Amazon. If you do a search by the pn on rock auto it shows currently out of stock.

 

I found some 'High Caster' JBAs used for $130 locally from a guys doing a SAS!! Will install/Align this week. Ball joints still pretty stiff and seem to be in good shape. I ordered the rebuild kit just incase

Thanks for the input all

 

Try another shop

 

I've put about 15-17k miles on a set of Freedom Offroad UCA's and they have been great so far. When I got my truck aligned, the only thing keeping them from getting it within factory specs on the passenger side was due to a seized camber bolt if I remember correctly. Something about they couldn't get it to turn any further when it should've? Even with that it was only like .1 degrees off so I left it. That's with a 3 inch lift in the front with 1.5 inch wheel spacers. So far I've had nothing but good luck with them. Got mine from Extreme Terrain.