Upper and Lower Control Arms

Hi all. I've been doing some searching and see some forums with older info. On my 2002 xtra cab, 4wd TRD model (3.4L with 5 speed) I am continuing to restore and looking at new LCAs and UCAs. I am replacing shocks and coils with 5100 bisteins with OME 2880. Thinking of biting the bullet for new control arms as well.

Could go stock Toyota. Have read good things. As I am not lifting the truck (not more than an inch) it seems a logical way to go. Seem pricey for what they are but read they are good quality.

Don't want a low quality control arm. I am 90% on road and then some gas well trails and such (no crazy off roading, but will drive into fields or trails when hunting or such). But, I may take a run out to Colorado to hit Black Bear Pass and some trails.

I figure any set will get fluid filmed to provide some corrosion resistance.

Not really wanting to purchase billet sets.

I am in NW PA and we see lots of salt in the winter. Thinking a protected/covered ball joint is important.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

Are your control arms in such bad shape they can`t be refurbished or is the New Control Arms just a labor (time) saving measure .

Plan to replace the Cam Bolt hardware I needed to cut my old cam bolts out and install new ones to be able to adjust things.

 

That’s what I did. Been happy with it.

 

Thanks guys. It was more of a time saving thing. Already having the vehicle on a lift and replacing steering - inner and outer tie rods. Wanted to future proof with new. No issues with ball joints at this point.

If I was to replace...thoughts?

 

How much are they? Seems like a total waste of money to myself and seemingly everyone else in this thread. It's just a cast piece of metal. Not exactly a ton of failure points to worry about. Replace the bushings and ball joints... these are designed to fail over time unlike the indestructible control arms.

 

I would look for used ones from someone doing a solid axle swap install new bushings and Toyota Ball joints Keep yours as spares or sell them

 

Thanks. Would you go with Toyota bushings and ball joints or aftermarket?

 

Toyota Ball Joints !

 

Ehh. If you plan to keep the truck a long time, new OEM LCA's are not a bad investment. Yeah you could buy new bushings only, but then the labor costs are higher to install.

UCA if you are going to spend money, might as well upgrade to an aftermarket UCA like JBA, SPC, Etc.

 

I went with OEM LCAs on mine and have been very happy with them on my mildly lifted truck.

Make sure to grease everything when you're in there, I replaced mine because my alignment cams were seized.

 

Here's a little soapbox I did a while back on the balljoints.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2004-4x4-doublecab-trd.622208/#post-21222495

If you've done as much reading on the ball joint issue as the control arms, you'd understand these are really the main weakness of the 1st gen Tacomas, and NEED to be closely cared for. As I say in the soapbox, get the best you can afford, I've been happy with 555's for reasons I explain in the link.

When in doubt, replace them. Don't wait for them to fail, as it is generally catastrophic.