SPC control arms??

Those are the second generation version it added the zerk fittings. The 3rd generation added the X axis bushings and the 4th generation added the one piece design. You can buy the X axis and new ball joints from toytec website anyway so if you want the one piece design thats the only thing really big difference that you cant upgrade on the previous gens.

 

Interesting. I wonder how Mevotech is able to sell these. Maybe they are left over 2.5nd gen spc arms that SPC doesnt want under their name any more?

 

There was never a generation that had xaxis joints with half tube have forged.

 

I've wondered that too but since SPC has made a few design changes to their arms over the years, I think these Mevotech ones are left over stock of the former design

 

There was cause I have them!

 

Here’s a more recent pic

 

Interesting! I stand corrected. That must of been a very short limited run before they switched to the fully forged (or yours were retrofitting with the xaxis joints)

How long have you had those arms with those joints? any issues with the xaxis joints?

 

Ive had them for about 15 months and got them Brand new.

 

I got them literally right before the new design came out lol. Kinda made me mad.

 

Well I'm sure they were cheaper at least, SPCs have gotten really expensive lately. Used to be one of the more affordable aftermarket UCA options. That's why I usually bring up the Mevotechs now unless someone is dead set on getting the latest SPC arms.

 

I think i paid about $450 for them.

 

Yeah that's the price I'm familiar with regarding SPCs. I got mine (tubular arms) a couple years ago for about $420 on a group buy. Now I think SPCs go for about $600 after taxes.

 

Yup once they switched to the single piece with xaxis joints prices went WAY up unfortunately.

 

I got mine from RockAuto for like 205 a piece back in January.

 

So I've narrowed it down to either 1st gen or 2nd gen but how do I tell the difference between the bonded rubber bushings and spec ride full floating bushing? Also does it even matter if I intend to go with a new zerk greasable ball joint? Anyone have a link to buy these? SPC website didn't show any for the toyota but did for other manufacturers.

 

You likely wont run into the arms with bonded rubber bushings. They are VERY old, but to tell what you got its specride removable sleeve and full bushing and it uses non OEM washers on the outsides.

Those bushings in discussion are what mount to the frame, the ball joint is different.

 

The Mevotech I received from rock auto are what I believe to be second gen . Has a zerk fitting , has the poly type bushings which I prefer as they can be tightened up in any position when installed without any preload on the bushings being the the arm moves freely up and down. I like them also as they hold the arm in place better than the softer Clevite bushings like the OE arms have. That translates to less steering correction as you drive being they are held in place with less unwanted movement .

 

If the Mevotech are SPC re-branded old stock, can you update the Mevotech with the SPC replaceable parts when these do break down after some time? I believe the ball joint and hardware can all be purchased separately for rebuilding the upper control arms when necessary. Or, is the old inventory under a different design and can not be updated to newer components?

 

I see nothing different about the ball joint on mine and gen 3 , the instructions are SPC just like has been posted many times in the Light racing thread here on TC which is where you should be looking for all the info you could ever imagine on SPC arms. These are not a completely forged arm as the latest seem to be . these have the tube on one end of the arm which to the best of my knowledge with the zerk fitting on the BJ is the 2nd gen