JBA UCAs or Light Racing UCAs

Ok so my budget is $500 and I need UCAs since I lifted my truck 2.5in and the alignment is off... I've read about LR and the issue with bushings having to be replaced sooner then eveyone would like.. JBA I don't know much about but am reading about them but would like the input from the people I trust when it comes to my truck. So what are your thoughts everyone? Oh I live in Vermont so they salt the shit out of the roads from late October to April...

 

No matter which UCA's you go with, treat them with a few good coats of Fluid Film (or something similar) a few times a year to protect them against that nasty road salt.

 

Thanks! Yea I have to remember to do that to the frame too which I haven't done...

 

Yeah I still need to hit my frame too. I'm in northern VA and we get road salt but obviously not nearly as much as you guys up in VT. If you do use Fluid Film just don't use a pressure washer on whatever you used the Fluid Film on since it will knock it off. Regular garden hose pressure should be fine though.

 

Issues with bushings on the SPC arms were the very old style of bonded rubber bushings that people didnt install correctly (not tightening the main uca bolt at ride height)

SPC has long switched to a full floating bushing to resolve this "issue". The latest SPC arms are tits! zerk fittings on the top of the ball joints for easy greasing and they are very stout. I prefer them over JBA arms for more adjustability.

 

JBA comes with a lifetime warranty, and they are red!

 

I like the newer spcs. They are black, lots of adjustments and greasable ball joint that is easily replaceable.

 

I would go with the JBA's as stated above with a lifetime warranty. OEM Bushing that never need to be greased, and ball joints that can swapped out in the driveway with basic hand tools. And they are red as stated above, SPC also has Ball Joints that can be swapped out in the driveway itself, but the adjustable Ball Joint confuses a lot of alignment techs. The JBA Standard High Caster Arms have the High Caster built into them making it easier for most alignment techs.

 

Actually spcs you just remove the upper and lower nuts. Two nuts. Jbl requires 6 bolts/nuts to remove ball joint I believe. Also pair of spc ball joints is like $70.

 

You set the spcs where you want. Then let the alignment tech finish with the cam adjustments. Never let them touch the ucas. Spcs make 35s a lot easier to fit since you can fine tune them away from the firewall.

I also never trust part store ball joints. They are all trash usually.

 

Sounds like you made up your mind then good luck.

 

I haven't had to replace my JBA BJs yet, but did I read that's its just a GM OEM part? That's why it's available from any local parts store?

 

It's a MOOG Ball Joint I believe. Am I correct @Blackout14

 

Im fairly certain the JBA ball joints are not the GM ball joints any more, they are custom ones. That stated i think they kept the same mounting layout so GM ones could probably be substituted without issue.

As far as the inner bushings on the JBA arms. Looks like they are a bonded style bushing (like stock). This doesnt allow for as free of movement as the full floating ones of any other aftermarket uca (including SPC arms, hell SPC used to run bonded bushings but people would install them improperly, they would tighten at droop and not ride height which resulted in them ripping, so they switched to full floating ones) But correct me if i am wrong with the JBA arms.


Also agreed, you dont let alignment techs touch the upper arm. You set the SPC arm how you like then let them do the fine tuning with the LCA like normal.

 

Any tech who is confused about UCAs isn't getting my business.

 

I agree but that's why I went with the JBA's so I would never have to worry about it.

 

Yup here that complaint a lot, years ago when I had one of the shitty versions nobody around here knew what to do with them. Quickly got rid of those.

 

http://jbaoffroad.com/toyota/tacoma/ball-joints-and-bushings/jba-upper-ball-joints.html

 

Yeah trash Moog.

 

Agree but hey it is what it is