Maintenance Free Upper Control Arms for Lift - Dobinson's vs Ironman

[jkdrew]

While I'm at it, I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and just go for new UCAs when I have my Eibach kit installed. I've seen lots of reviews for different brands, but mostly ones that require maintenance, like JBA. I'm pretty much looking for a set that is maintenance free and sealed, as close to OEM as I can get. Not currently in a situation where I can easily do the greasing. I think I've narrowed it down to Ironman Pro-Forge and Dobinson's. With a current discount, they're gonna be about the same price. Any advantage to either? Or a better route for what I'm looking for?

Application: 2014 4Runner Trail, 120,000 miles, stock Trail wheels, Eibach Pro Truck lift, hoping to fit 285/70R17 Falken Wildpeak A/T3W without rubbing on UCAs. I've seen that some brands don't work as easily with 285s without spacers (JBA).

 

[RedRunner_87]

I have about 12k plus miles on my Ironman UCA's and I have no issues. I am happy with my set up.

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

 

[TrailRunnin14]

I went with Ironman

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[mo_mo]

I went with Ironman, package deal with the lift at a good discount. No complaints. I believe the Ironman comes with 4 deg caster over OEM, and the Dobinson comes with 3 deg caster. Honestly they are probably going to perform identically for our applications, so choose whatever your wallet and eyeballs will make you happy... doesn't look like you'll go wrong.

 

[KEVIN C.]

Ironman UCA with Eibach lift. Can’t go wrong.

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[SBRChris]

I'm looking at UCAs as well. How are you getting the prices close?

Dobinson's is $580 and Ironman is $770 on their site.

 

[mo_mo]

I'm looking at UCAs as well. How are you getting the prices close?

Dobinson's is $580 and Ironman is $770 on their site.

I'm guessing they are using the coupon code "SPRING15" for ironman which takes off 15% and puts it at $653.65.

 

[Tuco S.]

Ironman seems to run sales so often it makes me think their regular price is the on-sale price, while the $769 price they list on the website is just there for show to add value. They had a 25% off sale during St. Patrick's Day weekend, and a couple weeks later they started this 15% off Spring sale.

 

[jkdrew]

I'm guessing they are using the coupon code "SPRING15" for ironman which takes off 15% and puts it at $653.65.

That's correct. The Dobinsons with ball joint press comes to $640 and the Ironman with 15% discount comes to $653.

 

[Tuco S.]

Has anyone found a cap that will fit over the Ironman ball joint? I wonder if Dobinsons, Dirt King or some other cover would fit? It would be nice to keep water and dirt from collecting in there.

Inside diameter is 60mm measured with a caliper.

Ordered a set of Dobinsons UCA caps, so I guess I'll be the guinea pig. Will report back on fitment once they arrive.

 

[Tuco S.]

Dobinsons ball joint caps fit on Ironman UCAs! They are snug and flush when using the supplied O-ring. Dobinsons Direct was able to confirm their ball joint cups are 60mm diameter, which is the same as Ironmans.

 

[matoolie]

Have Dobinson on my 14 with no complaints. Went with OME for my 21 since Dobinson were out of stock with no ETA for restock. But theses won’t be installed for several months as waiting on Eibach to make their new Pro springs.

 

[RoamerOverland]

I have about 12k plus miles on my Ironman UCA's and I have no issues. I am happy with my set up.

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

+1. I have 8,000 on mine and love them.

 

[j0nb0n]

Have Dobinsons on mine. No complaints. Can’t go wrong with either choice

 

[RedRunner_87]

+1. I have 8,000 on mine and love them.

They are great UCA's!

 

[NVSteve]

Dobinsons ball joint caps fit on Ironman UCAs! They are snug and flush when using the supplied O-ring. Dobinsons Direct was able to confirm their ball joint cups are 60mm diameter, which is the same as Ironmans.

Nice find, but ouch! $25 per cover?

 

[Tuco S.]

Nice find, but ouch! $25 per cover?

Yeah they're not cheap, but they are machined aluminum and very nice.

Dirt Kings covers are a few bucks less, but I don't know if they will fit (same goes for Camburg), as all I received from them were unhelpful replies: "blah blah blah our covers are designed only for our control arms."

The Dobinsons guy took the time to research my question, so he got my business.

 

[NVSteve]

Yeah they're not cheap, but they are machined aluminum and very nice.

Dirt Kings covers are a few bucks less, but I don't know if they will fit (same goes for Camburg), as all I received from them were unhelpful replies: "blah blah blah our covers are designed only for our control arms."

The Dobinsons guy took the time to research my question, so he got my business.

How snugly do they fit in place?

 

[Tuco S.]

How snugly do they fit in place?

They barely fit in the cup without the supplied o-ring. With the o-ring it's pretty snug. I think it will be water tight as-is, but if you really want to jam them in there you could easily grab a thicker o-ring at a hardware store.

 

[Fish2eat88]

They barely fit in the cup without the supplied o-ring. With the o-ring it's pretty snug. I think it will be water tight as-is, but if you really want to jam them in there you could easily grab a thicker o-ring at a hardware store.

Chance you could get a part number?