Tuff Country or JBA UCAS (RWD, 2014)

Hey guys,

I have a 2014 Tacoma, lifted 7” on a Maxtrac spindle. Its a 4” spindle (or knuckle), a 2.5” strut spacer and bilstein shocks set at .5 of an inch.

I had purchased JBA’s Stock replacement arms when I had first gotten the truck, not informed of all the snowball effects that come with lifting a truck. After driving it now, I can definitely tell that the upper control arm needs work, as I need my caster back at stock angles and numbers.

With this being said, I have done a LOT of research on JBA and some on Tuff country, but I am unsure if the Tuff country would fit my maxtrac spindle. I am leaning more towards Tuff country in terms of price and more my alley, as I dont offroad nearly as much as I used to, shes a pavement princess I know.

Anyone have any clue if it would be the right fitting for my Maxtrac spindle? Can i use the Tuff countrys? Should i just go with JBA High Casters?

Thanks!

Joey

 

Not to make it more confusing but I would say don't rule out SPC. Got them, love them, beast of an arm. Just make sure you go to an alignment shop that knows how to use them. If not, then they adjustability is worthless

 

Yeah i have heard of these, and your response is common as I have seen. I have a place called “Super Trucks” that specializes in lifted trucks but still not sure if they would know how to do it. They are also $630 and racing arms, I dont do any offroading but it may help with my heavier setup, do you think so?

 

It would help with adjustability. 90% of my driving is on road but the fact that they can adjust for anything I do (bigger tires, moving caster and camber) all makes sense. The fact that you can adjust those will save your tires in the long run. They can get them perfect with those arms. Try msg Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road for a price. She always did me right with pricing.

 

Awesome, I just messaged her. Question:

Could I have a trusted mechanic install the arms, and then I go to a shop to have them align it directly after? From what I’ve heard putting them in isnt tricky, its just a very versatile arm and cant be used to its full effects unless a shop has all the tools to make the alignment perfect, correct?

The place i’d go to charges $140 an hour for labor and quoted me 5 hours.

 

5 hours!?!?!?!?! To replace those arms takes 1 hour each side tops. Anyone can do it if you ha e basic tools, a 32mm socket, and a 150ft lb torque wrench and angle grinder. All of those are rentable. Look up a video on how to do it. I find it easier to cut the bolt on one side (forget what side) and replacing it with a new one in reverse. If you have tools and basic mechanical skills, u can do it alignment shop, I would ask around for a good one in your area that knows how to do lifted trucks. If they won't do a custom alignment, look elsewhere. These take some skill to align and would be a wast of money if they only do stock alignments on them

 

Oh i know its ridiculous, believe me. I did the JBA’s myself and did the same as you. I have the tools and what not, I just am physically unable to do the work myself at the moment as I’m recovering still from a hernia and cannot lift or stress anything for 3 months.

My mechanic is at his own home so he wouldn’t have the means to align it perfectly there, what I was asking rather is would it be okay to drive 25 minutes from it being installed at “home” and get the alignment as close as I can, and then drive that half hour to Super Trucks and have them align it there?

 

Yes. Don't worry about driving it for 25 mins to get an alignment. 26 though, that might be pushing lol

All seriousness, it will be fine just get it close as possible and you should be good until you get an alignment again

 

Lmao, thanks for all the help brother. Hopefully, this fixes my issue. I also got a cheaper price from the reference, big kutos.

 

Np my friend. You got the spc From Marie?

 

Planning on it here soon, just slowly getting back into working. Only 19 at the moment and in school so have been lowering my hours and had a surgery recently. She's the lowest price I've seen by far.

 

Always did me right and many others here.

Again, make sure u find a shop that knows how to adjust them. Ask questions, ask around the lifted community. If u get them and then don't get aligned properly, it becomes a waste.

Make sure they know how to adjust the caster and camber on them to get the toe right to prevent scrubbing. Lots of times, that contribute just as much to outside tire wear as bad camber

 

Also nice truck. Not my style but coming from hawaii, I know the appeal. Looks sweet

 

Man I follow all you Hawaii guys too! Dope ass rigs, things would plow over mine. I follow "vpfknr01" on instagram I'd suggest you go look him up if you havent already! My favorite Tacoma in Hawaii. Thanks again for all the help, ordering a set today.