Those who went JBA over SPC, or vice versa, still happy with that choice?

Hey, yall.

After getting my 275/70/17’s the other day, and experiencing some body mount rub, I knew I had to make some changes.

After asking what feels like a million questions, chatting with many of you, I’ve come up with a solid plan to address my situation.

That said.. one of the things I’m looking to upgrade, as part of my overall plan, are my UCA’s

While Ive seen multiple brands of UCA’s listed, many folks either go for SPC or JBA, specifically. While I’m sure both have some awesome benefit, I can’t help but wonder which of the two is right my for situation. So, I’m hoping I can hear from you on why you picked what you did, if it all worked out, or if you wish you’d have gone with something different.

While I currently have aftermarket UCA, Tuff country’s to be exact, I won’t know until after my Alignment tomorrow if they will suffice. They also claim to be a “max caster” like the JBA, but who knows. I got them when I got my Eibach Stage One 2.5” lift a few years back.

For some context,

My previous setup, on factory TRD OR wheels with 265/75/16, allowed for a factory alignment spec. So, I’m not sure what these UCA are actually capable of when I get an alignment that is suited towards my lift, and current tire needs. Yes, I am going to an alignment shop that understands the “magic” these Tacomas need. So, it won’t be a factory spec.

Foolishly.. I assumed that because others ran methods, with a zero offset-4.75bs with 275/70/17s, that I could just toss them on and be fine. While that may have worked for some, sadly not me.

So, that brings us to my plan. Tomorrow I’m getting an alignment, just to start there and see what happens. I have a CMC planned for the weekend, and I’m contemplating doing the UCA’s if they will be better than what I currently have.

I don’t plan on ever going bigger than 275 on this truck. I don’t take it wheeling. I just use it as a truck. Sometimes on the pavement, sometimes off. Never any trails or anything. So, I do need the suspension to work a tad lol.

Anyway, I’d love to hear what y’all have to say, any advice is welcome. Thank you.

 

Tossed my SPCs after 1.5-2 years as they went through ball joints every several months…with light off-roading mostly fire roads.

Switched to JBA and haven’t had any issues yet. Had them little over a year now.

 

Awesome! Mind if I ask your tire setup? If oversized (including your wheel itself), the JBA’s help get the geo right so there’s no rubbing?

 

I’m on 17x9 -12 wheels wrapped in 285/70/17 tires. My last alignment I had 3.7caster I believe. Rub slightly on plastic in reverse still but that’s due to my wheel offset…need to trim but I’ve been saying that for years

 

Haha understandable. No body mount rub with all that caster?

 

I’ve got JBA w/ Eibach setup as well. My caster is at 3.2. Only issue I’ve had w/ the JBA’s is a .5” area where the paint is starting to flake away and rust is starting. This is after having them for over 2 years now. Also, be aware w/ any high caster you will get bump steer/wandering. It’s not dramatic but it is noticeable compared to stock. That’s just the name of the game w/ high caster. If you could get the cab mount chopped that’ll help reduce amount of caster needed. I’d start w/ that first before buying UCA’s. If you off-road a lot then the caster steer won’t be noticeable.

 

I went with Dobinsons adjustable UCAs for the adjustability like JBAs and SPCs, but also because they;'re aluminum (so no concerns with rusting issues and lightweight vs steel) and use a parts setup similar to the factory UCAs (so if something breaks it's pretty easy to source replacement parts and other than checking/cleaning not much more maintenance than OEM UCAs). Main downside is they aren't cheap, so I waited for a Black Friday sale and also got a deal with the shop doing my suspension install work. They also of course need a shop with the right know-how and experience to properly adjust them for your alignment setup to get the full utility.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-billet-aluminum-ucas-toyota-tacoma/

 

Thanks!

Is that bump steer feeling similar to the wheel easily wanting to turn over normal bumps, etc in the road?

 

I loved my SPC uppers and they really help to clear 35”s with the adjustable ball joint.
I have my SPC uppers control arms up for sale in the for sale section with an extra set of brand new ball joints. Local pick up only if anyone is interested let me know and we’ll work out a deal.
Only selling because I have long travel now.

 

I went with the SPCs for one overriding reason - I didn't and still don't know just what I am going to do with the truck as far as final modifications. I think the SPCs are more adjustable than anything else allowing more options and variations to be completed before my "final" setup.

 

I went with SPCs because 1st gens struggle with getting enough caster. I'm at +4.3° now and with wide 35s that really helps it steer like stock. Yes this means I had to tub the wheel wells even more. Pretty sure I could run a 37" if I set the caster neutral now haha.

 

sorta but not as pronounced.

 

I have jba. They are pretty solid, downside is having to grease them and then having grease everywhere to clean, paint flaking off the arm after a couple years. They do have the best articulating balljoints

Switching to SPC bc I really only need 1 or 2 degrees of extra caster and want to go to 34's.

Im going to throw the older style poly bushings in the spc though.

The dobinson billet arms are really the best
but their price is too much for me.

 

JBA on 275/70-17 open country RTs
Initially did not rub then I took sway bar of now I do get some light rubbing at full stuff when wheeling. Pretty sure it's the inner fender liners and not cab mount. Need to bring some tape or marker with me and find a spot to get it to full stuff and do some trimming.

About 5k on them now about 1k dirt miles been happy so far.

 

UCAs with built in caster will move the tire closer to the body mounts. Only way to gain more clearance at the body mount is to add caster at the LCA.

Max your LCAs and figure out what you need from there.

 

Yep, for sure. Turns out.. I have the LCA at their max minimum shortest length. So, tomorrow I’ll find out just how good… or had.. my TC UCA’s are lol.

 

jba uca on 17x9 -12 with 285/70/17, no rub but i did cmc and viper cut to be on the safe side before i went to moab, 20k miles, grease every 5k, u get an email to remind u it's time to grease.
4.8/5.2 caster

 

hey dudes, anyone else have issues with their SPC's and go to JBA's? or vice versa?

I've had SPC's since I've owned the truck and over the last 70-80k miles I've gone through probably 5-6 sets of ball joints and 3-4 sets of UCA bushings. Fortunately SPC has a wonderful warranty that has covered all these replacements but its obviously a bit annoying to deal with so frequently. With 315's and a -38 offset wheel combined with moderate to heavy off-roading, that certainly contributes towards increased stress on the UCA.

The JBA's have always been very appealing to me. Do they hold up, or do those of yall that are running them find that you are frequently replacing ball joints & UCA bushings frequently as well? I'm at the point where I have to replace the SPC's again and am wondering if I should sell them when I get my replacement set and get JBA's or just stick with the SPC's and continue to warranty them.

 

I can't comment on the JBAs, but I am wondering if any of your failed SPC ball joints were the new-design "sealed" ones... ?
(trying to figure out what UCAs I want as well)

 

They have been all of them lol.

The truck came with SPC's purchased in 2017-2018 iirc. I dont think the BJ's it came with at the time had grease fittings. Then over the course of the replacements they added grease fittings and the x-axis bushings. Then they removed the grease fittings again. I've had them all fail (and by fail, I don't mean catastrophically, just excessive play leading to a sloppy front end over time).