Energy Bushings in Light Racing UCA?
- Thread starter kylebacc
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superman3043
Senior Member
Without looking too much into it, I don't see why it wouldn't be possible.
The LR UCA bushings have undergone a change throughout their evolution. Originally they came with the OE style rubber bushings. These ones needed to be loaded under the weight of the vehicle before being torqued down. Now they ship with the Spec Ride ("Energy" style) bushings that are your standard Poly bushing with sleeve. As for as the bushing ring on the arms go, they're pretty standard, so as long as what you're using is designed to fit, you should be fine.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
The LR UCA bushings have undergone a change throughout their evolution. Originally they came with the OE style rubber bushings. These ones needed to be loaded under the weight of the vehicle before being torqued down. Now they ship with the Spec Ride ("Energy" style) bushings that are your standard Poly bushing with sleeve. As for as the bushing ring on the arms go, they're pretty standard, so as long as what you're using is designed to fit, you should be fine.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
HokieRunner
New member
I can do a side by side comparison once I get home tonight but I don't think it would work. I just swapped in LR UCAs and rebuilt the LCAs w/ energy bushings so I have the new Energy upper bushings just laying around. The OEM UCA and Energy bushings are different from the Light Racing/SPC UCA bushing in design so even if the bushing housing has the same inner diameter there may be some issues.
Just out of interest, why make the swap? I thought the light racing UCAs already run poly bushings. - just saw your answer. Can't argue with uniformity haha.
Just out of interest, why make the swap? I thought the light racing UCAs already run poly bushings. - just saw your answer. Can't argue with uniformity haha.
That's kinda what I figured, but I was just hoping for a bit of luck. I was thinking to make the swap because, like you, I'm doing the lowers and some other things, and the uppers are going to come in the package. The only reason I care to swap them is because I've heard the LR UCAs weaknesses are the ball joints and bushings, rather than the arm itself. So I figure if I can slap some new Moog ball joints in there, and some Energy bushings, I may have a chance at it lasting a good while. What do you think? How are your bushings/ball joints holding up? Thanks for the reply.
HokieRunner
New member
I've only been running the new setup for a week now but zero complaints so far. Obviously a week is not a real test though haha. The improvement over the very worn OEM components is like night and day and I'm hopeful the newer LR UCA bushing design proves durable and quiet.
I had not heard of ball joint failure on the Light Racing uppers. I've seen instances where the top nut loosened but concerns with the joint itself. Is this a common issue?
Good luck on the LCAs too if you haven't done them yet. I followed zachattacks writeup and Gaterose's added tips: use plenty of heat, get a really good bit (I used a dremel carbide cutting tip) for removal of the flare washer and a bench vise made it a million times easier.
I had not heard of ball joint failure on the Light Racing uppers. I've seen instances where the top nut loosened but concerns with the joint itself. Is this a common issue?
Good luck on the LCAs too if you haven't done them yet. I followed zachattacks writeup and Gaterose's added tips: use plenty of heat, get a really good bit (I used a dremel carbide cutting tip) for removal of the flare washer and a bench vise made it a million times easier.
superman3043
Senior Member
Thanks man! Would like to see some updated pics of your rig. Haven't seen any in a long time.
I think your best bet would be to just contact SPC and get some of their spec rides if Poly is what you want. I could be mistaken, but I thought there was a campaign at one time that they were sending out updated bushings for free to their arm owners, but it could have just been some washers or something... Can't really remember. But it wouldn't hurt to give them a ring and see what they can do for you. This is all assuming you have the arms already with the old style bushing. If you don't own the arms yet, then they'll come with the new arms.
Good luck!
I don't know if it's a common issue. I don't think so, since I've only seen it posted somewhere once. I'd link you to it if I knew where I read it. If I find it, I'll send it to you. It's probably not an issue, but I'm quitting my job at the auto parts store, so I want to have all my lifetime warranty stuff bought under the discount
Thanks for the tips, Matt is a good dude.Yeah I'd love to say I've done some really stellar things to it over the past while, but that's just not the case. I lifted it some more, but it sucks, so I'm bringing it back down. I'm re-doing the whole front end here pretty soon, and getting a new set of tires. I was really close to going to SAS route, until I worked out I couldn't preserve the electronics and little gadgets that you pay 30-40k for, so that's out this time. Sticking with the IFS for now. Still trying to get the FJ 6" Fabtech thing going, but I've got to get the truck tight again before I can consider that for real. Gotta quit beating the dang thing up. Plus my Corolla is really looking like a pile these days, so some truck money HAS to go to that.
Nathana92
New member
I don't know if it's a common issue. I don't think so, since I've only seen it posted somewhere once. I'd link you to it if I knew where I read it. If I find it, I'll send it to you. It's probably not an issue, but I'm quitting my job at the auto parts store, so I want to have all my lifetime warranty stuff bought under the discount
Yeah I'd love to say I've done some really stellar things to it over the past while, but that's just not the case. I lifted it some more, but it sucks, so I'm bringing it back down. I'm re-doing the whole front end here pretty soon, and getting a new set of tires. I was really close to going to SAS route, until I worked out I couldn't preserve the electronics and little gadgets that you pay 30-40k for, so that's out this time. Sticking with the IFS for now. Still trying to get the FJ 6" Fabtech thing going, but I've got to get the truck tight again before I can consider that for real. Gotta quit beating the dang thing up. Plus my Corolla is really looking like a pile these days, so some truck money HAS to go to that.
How's it running with that supercharger?
superman3043
Senior Member
I think a lot of us come to that same realization when we start to dream of SAS. You gotta really want it, that's for sure.
What tires are you looking at? How much life did you get out of the Mud Graps? They seem to last forever on these light trucks. No matter how much street driving or how hard I wheel them. I've been very impressed with the wear. I read reviews before I got them and a lot of them read that they wear fast, but I think they were either an old design or compound or on really heavy trucks like F350's and such.
Still my favorite part of the my truck
I think one day a set of these may pair nicely: TTC PerformanceI really need a better job. This college thing better pay off.
Agreed. And I don't want it bad enough for all that haha I actually like certain aspects of IFS, so it doesn't really kill me. There were just a lot of people pushing my toward SAS for a while there.
I'm either going to go Kumho Road Venture M/T (if I can find them in 35/12.50/20, which is proving to be difficult) or Toyo Open Country M/T. Maybe. I actually have two brand new Grapplers at the foot of my bed (college problems) so it would be really easy to just buy two more. You are right about the wear. Everyone else says they wear like hell but I'm quite sure that is because they were on really heavy trucks. I mean, even the 250's are getting 30-40k out of them. I've gotten a ton out of them, had to be more than 40k, and they would still have at least another 10k if I hadn't lifted the IFS too far, and worn out the outsides of the ones on the front. I've heard they chunk pretty bad on the rocks, but I've never gotten the opportunity to see if that's the case
As far as mud goes, they almost can't be beaten. But the vibrations are starting to wear on me a bit. We'll see. What do you think you're gonna do after this set?
superman3043
Senior Member
Agreed. And I don't want it bad enough for all that haha I actually like certain aspects of IFS, so it doesn't really kill me. There were just a lot of people pushing my toward SAS for a while there.
I'm either going to go Kumho Road Venture M/T (if I can find them in 35/12.50/20, which is proving to be difficult) or Toyo Open Country M/T. Maybe. I actually have two brand new Grapplers at the foot of my bed (college problems) so it would be really easy to just buy two more. You are right about the wear. Everyone else says they wear like hell but I'm quite sure that is because they were on really heavy trucks. I mean, even the 250's are getting 30-40k out of them. I've gotten a ton out of them, had to be more than 40k, and they would still have at least another 10k if I hadn't lifted the IFS too far, and worn out the outsides of the ones on the front. I've heard they chunk pretty bad on the rocks, but I've never gotten the opportunity to see if that's the case
I'm on the either side of the fence depending on which day you ask me regarding SAS. I think 4runner owners want it for the sheer badassness of it, but like you I actually really appreciate a lot of what my IFS gives me, especially on the road. Every time I start to work out the details of a SAS, especially when I start to run the math on the cost and time, I shy away. This is just one of those instances where it's always easier and cheaper to buy an already built toy than to spend the time, effort, and money to do it yourself. For less than what it'd cost me to do a SAS, I could buy somebodies already built dedicated trail rig. At which point I guess the Runner would be relegated to an expedition capable, tow rig I guess. I'd hate to build the Runner to be a dedicated rock crawling toy at this stage in her life. Every time I'm out on the trails, all I hear is people telling me how she's too pretty to be out there, lol! I'd be heartbroken if I rolled her over right now.
I think my next set are going to be the Toyo OC M/T's. I've been so pleased with the Nitto's which is a Toyo company, so I don't think I can go wrong. I've had Toyo and Nitto sport tires in the past and been really happy with them. I like the looks and they ride quieter that the MG's, so if they perform as well, I'd be totally ecstatic. I've not had good luck with Kuhmo tires, but they're priced well. Just make sure you read up on them before you pull the trigger.
I've ran these things hard on rocks with absolutely no chunking issues. I've been thoroughly impressed with them on all offroad terrain. And Mud? Yeah, unless you're talking Boggers, forget about it. These things are outstanding.
Yeah there's nothing like doing 95 down the interstate for 100 miles at a time and still being able to pilot these rigs with one or two fingers. SAS would not allow that, and I do a lot of traveling, although with gas prices, I tend to take the Corolla unless there is someone to impress on the other end.
I've heard that about the Kumhos, so I'll probs stray away, especially since they are much more difficult to find. In all honesty, unless I find a deal on the Toyo's, I'll likely just buy two more graps. Maybe hit the Toyo's next time around. Either way, it'll all be happening this summer, so we'll know for sure quite soon.
I've heard that about the Kumhos, so I'll probs stray away, especially since they are much more difficult to find. In all honesty, unless I find a deal on the Toyo's, I'll likely just buy two more graps. Maybe hit the Toyo's next time around. Either way, it'll all be happening this summer, so we'll know for sure quite soon.
