User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 05-07-2020, 01:57 PM #16
Jetboy's Avatar
Jetboy Jetboy is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute
Jetboy Jetboy is online now
Senior Member
Jetboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnfanatic View Post
That is insane and downright scary. I am hoping no one was hurt and minimal damage?? There is a massive markup on all these parts, it is crazy. I love supporting this country as much as possible , especially family owned companies. But $1000 for UCA's and $2000 for aluminum skidplate is insane!
No one was hurt. Happened at a Home Depot parking lot backing out of the parking stall. Actually did very little damage to anything. But not very fun. Could have been really dangerous.
Jetboy is online now   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 01:58 PM #17
Sundy Sundy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Monument, CO
Posts: 320
Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about
Sundy Sundy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Monument, CO
Posts: 320
Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetboy View Post
The Tough Country UCA's are the next cheapest I think along with the Freedom Offroad. Again - don't. For starters, they don't correct for caster angle that I'm aware of, the Tough Country ones for sure do not. They were one of the first to use a ball joint instead of a uniball so I ordered a set. They do not have any caster correction, I sent them back. Freecom Offroad are just chinese import junk. They (the reseller warehouse) doesn't even know what ball joint they use and literally could not provide any information on what it is or whether you can replace it and what you'd replace with. They don't even own a 4Runner or have any testing. They are just a different version of the cheap ebay model with a different sticker.
Couple of things I'd like to clarify from my research before buying the Freedom Offroad arms.

1. These are OEM style ball joints, not uniballs, so I'm a bit less concerned about a failure like your Uniball UCA's (glad there was no major damage or injuries BTW!). From my understanding, your uniballs actually pulled through the uniball due to the bolt being smaller than the hole in the uniball?
2. These are made in Taiwan, not China. Not saying that changes much/if anything with the long term quality one way or the other, but seems like manufacturing is usually a little better from Taiwan I highly doubt they are the same as the Ebay junk/Alibaba arms as they don't even look the same (different gussets, weld quality in images alone is better etc.)
3. These do have built in caster correction. There is no way I was pulling a 3.6 caster with my lift at 2.7" (hub to fender measurements) on OEM arms. Also, you can see it in the attached image. It's not nearly the caster you can get from SPC's but it's also fixed.
4. I ordered based on multiple reviews from people running for years on Tacoma World without issue. Was there some hesitation since they aren't TC/SPC/JBA? Definitely. So far am I satisfied with them? Yup.
5. If I recall correctly (can't find the image anymore for the 4Runner UCA's, but did find one for Nissan Titan SPC's) the SPC arms are made in China but assembled here in Colorado.

So they might be Chinese junk, they might not be. What i do know is the build quality looks great, I've had no issues so far, they are a serviceable and replaceable ball joint, and have a lifetime warranty.

Not trying to start an argument, but to have some good conversation on these, as I appreciate the input and knowledge you provide to the forum, as seem recently in another thread. So far I've only got about 100 miles of bashing offroad on them, so they will be inspected, as they are new. Just trying to provide as much information as possible to people.
Attached Images
Most affordable UCA for 5th gen??-img_20200417_201721-jpg 
__________________
2019 TRD ORP w/KDSS: Dobinsons IMS Lift (front C302 - 3" / rear C725 - 2.5"), Freedom Offroad UCA's, Falken Wildpeak AT3W 255/80R17, RSG Angled Kickout Sliders & Skid Plate, C4 Lo Pro, Warn Evo 10S, Agency 6 Flatlink, Diode Dynamics SS3 Fogs, Desert Does It Seat Jackers, Sherpa Crestone Rack, Outer Tents RTT

Last edited by Sundy; 05-07-2020 at 02:00 PM. Reason: added info
Sundy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 02:03 PM #18
Jetboy's Avatar
Jetboy Jetboy is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute
Jetboy Jetboy is online now
Senior Member
Jetboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute Jetboy has a reputation beyond repute
My issue with Freedom Offroad is the abject laziness of their owners. I asked about the ball joint they use and they gave a bullshit response about how it's proprietary and they never wear out. Of course that's total nonsense. Freedom is literally just a metal warehouse where they import and re-ship out stuff. And that's fine. They also originally said that they did not correct caster. But they just don't know anything at all about them and weren't willing to even ask the chinese manufacturer what the specs were on the ball joint. They don't have any vehicles to actually test them on and probably have never even opened a box to see what's inside. The importer (freedom offroad) can spec any ball joint they want or leave it up to the manufacturer. But to not even have a spec sheet or any information at all on what ball joint they're using - that is unacceptable to me - if you're going to pay double the price you can order them directly from China for. If you're buying blind, I'd go straight to the first reseller in China for a lot less. You can also buy the SPC ones for about $200/set direct from China.

They might be perfectly fine UCAs. Hope they work out for you.

If you did need a replacement ball joint - given that they don't tell you what size or model fits what would you do?

Last edited by Jetboy; 05-07-2020 at 02:08 PM.
Jetboy is online now   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 04:42 PM #19
Hans Moleman Hans Moleman is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 545
Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about
Hans Moleman Hans Moleman is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 545
Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about Hans Moleman has a spectacular aura about
I was going to get Dirt King because they were $500. Then during last year's BF sale, a vendor messed up the BF pricing and honored the price for Icon Delta Joint UCAs for $500 so I got them instead.
__________________
2018 SR5 Premium MGM
TRD Pro wheels
LT265/70/17C BFG KO2
Hans Moleman is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 05:01 PM #20
CMTAZ CMTAZ is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: AZ
Posts: 179
CMTAZ will become famous soon enough
CMTAZ CMTAZ is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: AZ
Posts: 179
CMTAZ will become famous soon enough
I have the Eibach kit and stock UCAs. I too was concerned about the UCAs, right to the point of Analysis / Paralysis.

Several calls to Eibach (sometimes to discuss the same things), eibach stated the 90% of their users run the stock UCAs. Several trips to the shop that installed the kit (before it was installed) revealed that "Unless you are going to drive long distances above 80mph, you probably will never know the difference".

In conclusion - they all were right, i was over thinking it. I use my 4Runner mostly around town, occasional trip out of the valley, commuting, etc. The ride & handling is so much better that if I were forced to go back to stock, I'd consider another vehicle (and I used to think the stock ride was fine). After my install I had a lifetime alignment done a Firestone. Caster is something like 0.5-1*, camber & toe are in spec.

I'd say try it and if you don't like it you can always add the UCAs at a later point.

G/L
__________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 SR5 Premium - Eibach Pro Truck Lift Kit - TRD Wheels - Falken Wildpeak AT/3 - Tyger Armor Step Bars - Clear Bra - Kenwood DMX706s head unit - PowerBass 6.5" coaxial & 6x9" component speakers (tweeters replaced by JBL 3.5" coax) - Kenwood Excelon 5 Channel Amp - Pioneer 12" Shallow Mount Subwoofer - RAV4 Convex Mirrors - LED Headlights - Lexus LED Fog Lights (clones)
CMTAZ is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 05:05 PM #21
Sundy Sundy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Monument, CO
Posts: 320
Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about
Sundy Sundy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Monument, CO
Posts: 320
Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about Sundy has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetboy View Post
If you did need a replacement ball joint - given that they don't tell you what size or model fits what would you do?
I agree the specs not listed is a pretty lame deal. For now, I would order new ball joints from them $30 to $35/piece and then would get the measurements/see if any Moog or similar fit.
__________________
2019 TRD ORP w/KDSS: Dobinsons IMS Lift (front C302 - 3" / rear C725 - 2.5"), Freedom Offroad UCA's, Falken Wildpeak AT3W 255/80R17, RSG Angled Kickout Sliders & Skid Plate, C4 Lo Pro, Warn Evo 10S, Agency 6 Flatlink, Diode Dynamics SS3 Fogs, Desert Does It Seat Jackers, Sherpa Crestone Rack, Outer Tents RTT
Sundy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 05:10 PM #22
dezertbomber dezertbomber is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: San Diego
Posts: 245
dezertbomber has a spectacular aura about dezertbomber has a spectacular aura about
dezertbomber dezertbomber is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: San Diego
Posts: 245
dezertbomber has a spectacular aura about dezertbomber has a spectacular aura about
For $49 more, Dirt King offers the uca ball joint caps in red or black.

They use the heavy duty Moog ball joints and their inner pivot bushings have grease fittings for maintaining the lube.




Last edited by dezertbomber; 05-07-2020 at 05:12 PM.
dezertbomber is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-07-2020, 06:48 PM #23
Gnfanatic Gnfanatic is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NY
Posts: 85
Gnfanatic is on a distinguished road
Gnfanatic Gnfanatic is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NY
Posts: 85
Gnfanatic is on a distinguished road
Thanks again everyone. How many miles did you put on the new suspension for it to settle in before alignment?? I am thinking 100 miles??
Gnfanatic is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
eibach , highway , kit , ride , ucas

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AFFORDABLE LED light bar suggestions jmyer72 General Discussions 16 01-19-2017 11:09 AM
Why so affordable? Be honest.... shoeless 4th Gen T4Rs 36 07-02-2014 06:24 PM
Good, affordable tires tomzapf 3rd gen T4Rs 15 08-18-2007 11:43 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:21 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020