I personally went with Dirtkings. I was in the same situation as you just a couple months ago. I was attracted to JBA for the price but the clearance issues (rubbing on the UCA if you didnt have the right spec'd wheels or spacers) were a no go for me. I also decided against uniballs mainly due to issues if you dont clean/maintenance them often. Ball joints were the cheaper and less headache option for me. I got my Dirtkings from Total Automotive Performance and they have a discount code for forum members. I think it is "T4R" but you can DM them to make sure.

At the end of the day:
JBA were about $480ish after tax and shipping
Dirtkings were about $500 after the discount code. Free shipping and they didn't charge tax.

I meant in looks. I am trying to figure out which one is better for daily driving and overlanding.

I would say the Dirt Kings. The Icons wil require more maintenance

Your stock ones would do perfectly fine for daily driving and "overlanding".



Per your last UCA question thread. Why not just run your stock ones with your lift until you get your wheels in and then put on the JBAs.

Well JBA would be nice but then I can't install them until I get the wheels and tires which wont be for a few months. I just got a LFD rear bumper so I need to build up my 4runner funds.

This^ Also, I know you narrowed it down to two options but I would highly recommend you consider the Dobinsons (ball joint like the Dirt Kings) as they don't require maintenance at all.

I’m gonna just leave this here.

Attached Images

 

What is that?

Looks to be a builtright uca

Okay so after reading about these, they will work with my stock tires and wheels and with the SCS wheels and 285's.

Toyota 4Runner UCA | Ball Joint Upper Control Arm | DK-812901

I was told that when you lift the 4runner 3 inches you have to change the UCA's , it's in a few threads on here somewhere.

It's recommended, not required though. There are several trucks in a few threads on here running 3" lift on stock UCAs. What specific lift did you buy for the 3" lift in the front?

My Eibach lift is 2.75" in the front on the lowest clip setting, no issues on stock UCAs. I've seen people set the fronts to the second clip which should net over 3" and have no issues.

I'm no mechanic and these are just my opinions from my own research over the years. Not saying issues can't or won't present themselves, but I don't think it's a requirement.

Plus out of all the options you've researched, why not look at SPCs? They will work with your stock wheels and they are adjustable for later when you do negative offset wheels and may need more caster. The price is not much more than JBA.

Like bmy1287 mentioned, it’s not required but the added caster you get from an aftermarket upper control arm will make the driving experience much better at those lift heights.

And also there is another reason to get aftermarket UCA, even if your lift is 2”. When you upgraded your front coilovers with 2.5” , in an order to clear it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FWIW - if you use stock arms for a while you'll end up having to get another alignment. One when you put the lift on and another when you change UCAs. So I'd probably buy the Dirt Kings and the $100 you save on the second alignment covers the cost difference.

Yeah - they're all overpriced. They really should be more like $2-300 for a set.