First Gen LCA

Does anyone know of any aftermarket LCAs available for first gens? I need to replace one of mine and would like to upgrade without going to long travel.

 

I don't think there is. I thought I heard that Solo Motorsports had started making some OEM style LCAs for our trucks but they aren't on their website.

I would just go with OEM Toyota ones, they aren't known to be a weak point on our trucks or anything and don't really need to be upgraded unless you're going long travel. The LBJs that go into them is another story.

 

Unless your LCA is obviously bent or broken, there's really no reason to "upgrade". There might be a few companies but they are probably redonk expensive for what they are - no real added benefit.

There are a few people who make skid plates for the LCAs, but even those are just added weight and expense, imo...

Most of the time, people are told they "need" new LCAs, but that's because their bushings are worn out and the shop doesn't want to have to bother pressing in new ones.

 

The only problem there is that there isn't any aftermarket "upgrade" for the BJs, either. The weakness with the BJs is the design and how they integrate into the spindle and LCA.

 

Ya that's what I meant by 'another story' just didn't want to get into it and derail this into another ball joint debate lol. Solo did make an oem style LCA that was on their Instagram and I believe it had a uniball style ball joint but I dunno if it's ever going into production.

 

Yeah, I was looking into a uniball style lower control arms/BJ when I was getting my uniball uppers (because why not...). Don't remember the name but there was a company that made a LCA/uniball for the Tacos or at least advertised they made one, but it was stupid expensive and still stock travel. IIRC, they also had custom, integrated spindles.

Spend ~$4000+ (no shocks) for stock travel. Seems legit.

In other words, OP, if you are breaking the IFS, you should look into either a legit LT kit, full custom, or go solid axle.

 

I picked up my truck from the shop last night and it seems like you're right. They're recommending I replace the entire control arm because the bushing has play. They're also recommending that I replace both lower ball joints, one inner tie rod and the rack and pinion which is leaking.

I guess my truck is due for some new suspension parts, it has 185K miles now. As far as I know the ball joints have never been replaced. I replaced the shocks at ~120K and have a 3in lift. Are there any other suspension components that I should look into replacing while I'm getting this stuff fixed?

 

SPC

 

Yeah, same song and dance we hear about a lot. Shop is too lazy to press out the bushings, so they just charge the customer for the entire part which is easier and faster for them to replace. YOU get to pay for it all.

Honestly, replacing ALL that stuff isn't too hard if you have a day to do it.

If your rack is leaking, that's good to replace. They can be rebuilt, but usually a specialized sahop should do it, and will cost almost as much as a new (rebuilt) rack. Lowrange Offroad has ones for like $575 which include new outer TRE's and bushings too. Then, get yourself some balljoints, Lowrange has 555's for $65 a piece (what I have), you can get OEM's too if that's your comfort level (a lot of debate about OEM vs. non OEM), just don't get the cheap autopart store ones. While you're in there get your upper balljoints done, too. I went the route of Total Chaos UCAs/uniball route.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...04-toyota-tacoma-off-road-parts/steering.html

For control arm bushings, there are whitelines or engergy suspension bushings and seem to crop up the most often. I have the ES ones, which I like because once you burn out the old rubber and clean it up (not hard to do), replacing the bushings is a 20 minute job.

I used this method (more or less) to get everything apart, but to reinstall the upper balljoints, just go rent the proper tool (for free). Put the BJs in the freezer overnight, and leave them until you're ready to put them back in the spindle. Goes in like butter with the C-clamp style balljoint press tool.

http://www.bajataco.com/tech/control_arms_01.html

How's your alignment. You said you have a 3" lift? Do you have OEM upper control arms? As long as you can get it aligned within spec, you're fine, but a lot of people end up needing aftermarket UCAs with 3" of lift... You don't need the uniball style like I have, but SPC or most any aftermarket UCA will help adjust for any alignment issues.

 

jbrandt, thanks for all the info!

My alignment is OK...every few months I stop by firestone and get it re-aligned. It's not a huge deal since I have the lifetime alignment. I still have my stock UCAs...do you think getting aftermarket UCAs would fix this?

 

As long as they have good reviews. I'd go with replacing the bushings.

 

Does it keep going out of alignment or are you just taking it in just because you have the lifetime alignments?

 

The alignment normally feels fine, but the inspection always shows it being out of alignment.

 

I would bet that UCAs would help with that.

What do the techs say about your alignments though? Do they wonder why you bring it in for an alignment every month or so, and have to keep adjusting it?

 

They normally don't say much...just the occasional what are you doing to this thing. They reported these issues with the bushings, ball joints, and tie rod yesterday when I brought it in for an alignment. They say that can't fix the alignment because there is too much play in these components. This time the alignment was noticeably bad. To drive straight my wheel was at a 20 degree angle.

 

With how many miles you have, I would definitely go about replacing all the stuff mentioned earlier. Consider new UCAs too.

Unless you are seriously beating the shit out of this thing, you shouldn't have to go in every 2 months for alignments.

You noticing any tire wear?

 

In my last set of tires I ended up with some unusual tire wear. I've been rotating my tires more frequently with this new set and haven't noticed anything unusual yet.

 

I assume you're going to Firestone because you have their lifetime alignment package? I have the same thing...just so you know, they only align to factory specs unless you ask for a custom alignment, and factory specs with aftermarket/lifted suspension means your numbers will never be "right". And they charge more for a custom alignment, it's not included in the lifetime package deal. At least according to the one I go to regularly.

They usually get me close enough in numbers for me to be happy, once in awhile I'll go to get a custom alignment done though. I would suggest doing that or taking it somewhere that specializes in them if you want your alignment numbers as good as possible, and aftermarket/adjustable UCAs will definitely help with that.

Stock UCAs severely limit your ability to get aligned properly when your stock suspension geometry changes due to lift.

 

Here's the link to stock length lcas on Solo Motorsports website. They sure are spendy but boy do they look good.
https://www.solomotorsports.com/sho...er/toyota-lower-control-arm-kit-stock-length/

 

Do these require there spindles? Is it a uniball?