Can't Decide: JBA or new SPC UCAs

T4Jumper

T4Jumper

Member
Hey guys, I've been doing a lot of research on lift set ups and upper control arms and i've almost come to a decision, but could use a little input. I just purchased a toytec boss lift and have decided I want a ball joint UCA. Problem is I can't decide on which one!

The JBA seem awesome and I was almost completely sold on them but from what I've heard it seems like the SPC are still a little bit more adjustable and you can achieve the ideal 4 degrees caster from them. Also, it looks like the SPC just released another updated version of their UCA which could be better. The only thing that slightly worries me is their previous history of having failures. Seems like all the reviews on JBA have been positive.

Is the slight difference in caster adjustability worth it?
 
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I have not run SPC UCA’s and probably will not. Chinese UCA’s should not cost as much or more than domestic parts.

I’ll be ordering either JBA or Total Chaos UCA’s in a few months. I really like the TC arms but the cost is hard to swallow.

I’m 2.25” front and 1.5” rear with 1.8* caster. It drives surprisingly good as is but the steering feel at highway speed could be better.
 
I don't feel like the adjust-ability is worth the hassle. JBA's high caster UCAs add +3 caster to your setup. The few people I have seen post about their JBA's have been able to get +4 caster on alignment with factory camber specs.
 
I have the SPC's on my 4th gen and they've held up well. I have about 90k on them right now and just replaced the ball joints last year. I use my 4th gen for everything but it's definitely been used offroad a lot. Plenty of adjust-ability built in but the hardest part is finding an alignment tech that knows how to and willing to take advantage of all that adjustment. Luckily, there's a tech in town that's pretty good.

The main selling point on the JBA's for me is their use of a standard GM 1/2 ton bolt-in ball joint. You should be able to find that ball joint easily no matter where you travel vs SPC's proprietary ball joint that would most likely have to be shipped to you. I would go with the HD arms instead of JBA's standard version.

If your budget allows, go with the Total Chaos arms. Super stout and made in the US by a company that truly cares about their customers. No problem getting 4* of caster, even at 3" lift height.
 
I cant speak for the SPC arms. I haven't measured them. I have JBA arms. They add approximately 6 degrees of caster as compared to the OEM arms. So that means that if you should be able to reach 4 degrees without maxing out your cams. That's a good thing.

The UCA has very little loading compared to the lower control arm. If the hardware is good - the arms are probably more than strong enough in almost any version. Just look at the OEM arms. They're stamped sheet metal and they're plenty strong.
 
gm350reratliff said:
I have the SPC's on my 4th gen and they've held up well. I have about 90k on them right now and just replaced the ball joints last year. I use my 4th gen for everything but it's definitely been used offroad a lot. Plenty of adjust-ability built in but the hardest part is finding an alignment tech that knows how to and willing to take advantage of all that adjustment. Luckily, there's a tech in town that's pretty good.

The main selling point on the JBA's for me is their use of a standard GM 1/2 ton bolt-in ball joint. You should be able to find that ball joint easily no matter where you travel vs SPC's proprietary ball joint that would most likely have to be shipped to you. I would go with the HD arms instead of JBA's standard version.

If your budget allows, go with the Total Chaos arms. Super stout and made in the US by a company that truly cares about their customers. No problem getting 4* of caster, even at 3" lift height.
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I also really like the ability to get replacement ball joints without a hassle. That seems like a great plus side for the JBA.

As for the total chaos, they seem a bit out of my price range. I also like the idea of not having to worry about maintaining the balljoint as much as I might a uniball.

Does anyone know what the factory caster angles are? or does it not apply to a stock versus lifted vehicle?
 
I have the JBA arms on mine. So far they are great. I have about 15k miles on them. I think my caster is around 3.5.

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I cant speak for JBA but I have the SPC UCAs and with about ~2.5-2.6" lift I was able to get around 3.7* caster. Its a single piece of cast iron thats welded to the 2 bushing holders... its a heavy son of a gun way stronger than the OEM arms. I really dont think you can go wrong with either design, but i do like the design of the more traditional ball joint and boot design of the SPC looks like it'll weather better. I haven't seen a ball joint articulation comparison of the JBA to SPC that would be a good photo op.
 
I went with JBAs because of the readily available ball joint from GM. I couldn't justify the maintenance and price of some of the uniball designs out there. I liked the delta joint, but again, price was the deciding factor.
 
JBAs here as well. I have just over 3" of lift up front and my alignment guy had no problem giving me 3.8 degrees of caster on the driver and 4.2 on the passenger side. Camber is at -.1
 
Wow thanks for all the feedback guys, this is great! Looks like a lot of you run both and are pretty happy. Anyone have any issues with rust?
 
T4Jumper said:
Wow thanks for all the feedback guys, this is great! Looks like a lot of you run both and are pretty happy. Anyone have any issues with rust?
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There was a recent issue with them rusting something due to a powder coating/finishing issue on a small run of them, but the customer service over there is great. Sent me a link and got me all situated.:banana::banana:

New ones holding up great!
 
vtecturtle said:
There was a recent issue with them rusting something due to a powder coating/finishing issue on a small run of them, but the customer service over there is great. Sent me a link and got me all situated.:banana::banana:

New ones holding up great!
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Awesome, I've got some rusting on the top plate of the ball joint. I'll have to contact them and see if they can help me out. Customer service really is great though. Mine came missing with a screw cover where the bolt holds the upper control arm. Apparently it just keeps dust out of there. It was at my door in two days. You even get e-mail reminders when it's time to regrease lol.
 
JBA FTW! (For The Win)

I've had the standard JBA product for two years. No issues, great caster with a 3" lift. Very pleased, and I do wheel them, once in a while. Hit them with the grease gun every 5K.

NZDZRT
 
I really like the design and price point of the JBA but kept reading they stick out pretty far. What tire size and offsets are you guys running that have them? I'm on -12 offset with a 295/70 17.
 
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