UCA Help

S

Signal

New member
So, I have read a few threads n UCA's and there are a ton to choose from. So my question is who to stay away from? I have a OME 3 inch lift going on and would like to do the UCA's when I do the lift. I have these saved to my 4Runner bookmark bar. I have no clue if they are good. we will be doing mild offroading with trips to state and national parks. No rock crawling, or mud. just exploring and the parks.

JBA STD High Caster Upper A-arms for 2005-14 Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser
 
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The JBAs have some fans out there. I have no personal experience with them but the Ball Joint maintenance longevity and the adjustable design makes it a good choice. I have Total Chaos on 2 vehicles and love them. But I am getting ready to rebuild them after 50k miles on my 5th gen. They are still doing fine but I have stretched the recommended interval by several thousand miles, making the JBAs look even better to a lot of people, not having to worry about a rebuild for quite a bit longer than a Uniball design.
TC, Camburg, Dirt King uniballs cost more money, making the JBAs a good choice again. Dirt King makes good stuff from the reviews and have both designs, but their BJ design cost more than JBA. SPCs are the same design as the JBAs, but more money as well. They had QC issues a few years back, Filthy Motorsports who seem to have good standards are selling them, but I can't say if they fixed the QC issues. There are quite a few offerings out there making the decision lengthy, but I think if you stick to mild offroading as you say, the JBAs will be fine.
The other issue with aftermarket is finding a competent shop to align the adjustable Ball Joint design, some guys just have never seen them and don't know lifted trucks either. Now even with the upper end UCAs, some shops won't touch them because they aren't a factory component anymore. Most the time those type of shops are the ones you don't want touching your vehicle anyway. I'm lucky to have followed a crusty old tech from one shop to another for years. He insists on doing shit right unlike a lot of the horror stories you hear about.
Ironically I watched a video today by Ben Brazda at Filthy Motorsports.
This might help, or it might make your decision ever more difficult.

Good Luck!!

P.S. To speed your research up, use this search phrase (site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/) with your question in your standard Google bar ie: JBA UCA reviews site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4A3QGLEpTQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
From what I've read here and seen in the classifieds, I'd say go with JBA if you want cost-conscious UCAs. Stay away from SPC, If you're looking for performance the obvious choices are there, Total Chaos, Icon etc
 
4RunnerAquasport said:
The JBAs have some fans out there. I have no personal experience with them but the Ball Joint maintenance longevity and the adjustable design makes it a good choice. I have Total Chaos on 2 vehicles and love them. But I am getting ready to rebuild them after 50k miles on my 5th gen. They are still doing fine but I have stretched the recommended interval by several thousand miles, making the JBAs look even better to a lot of people, not having to worry about a rebuild for quite a bit longer than a Uniball design.
TC, Camburg, Dirt King uniballs cost more money, making the JBAs a good choice again. Dirt King makes good stuff from the reviews and have both designs, but their BJ design cost more than JBA. SPCs are the same design as the JBAs, but more money as well. They had QC issues a few years back, Filthy Motorsports who seem to have good standards are selling them, but I can't say if they fixed the QC issues. There are quite a few offerings out there making the decision lengthy, but I think if you stick to mild offroading as you say, the JBAs will be fine.
The other issue with aftermarket is finding a competent shop to align the adjustable Ball Joint design, some guys just have never seen them and don't know lifted trucks either. Now even with the upper end UCAs, some shops won't touch them because they aren't a factory component anymore. Most the time those type of shops are the ones you don't want touching your vehicle anyway. I'm lucky to have followed a crusty old tech from one shop to another for years. He insists on doing shit right unlike a lot of the horror stories you hear about.
Ironically I watched a video today by Ben Brazda at Filthy Motorsports.
This might help, or it might make your decision ever more difficult.

Good Luck!!

P.S. To speed your research up, use this search phrase (site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/) with your question in your standard Google bar ie: JBA UCA reviews site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4A3QGLEpTQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

truth.

Most people don't realize the downsides of high end suspension components, which typically are higher maintenance costs at shorter intervals (replacing uniballs, bushings, and the labor costs associated with them). Sometimes, a less expensive alternative is the better option for the vast majority of buyers.
 
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I have the same lift on my truck that you are getting ready to put on. I have the JBA arms and am very happy with them.
 

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Thanks guys. I remeber seeing pictures of some builds with the tires really close to the UCA. I am planning on going with SCS Ray 10 wheels and 285/70's or 295/70's. I forgot which thread it's in but I saw the pictures a few times of people and I am unsure if that is a issue while offroading.
 
mrblah said:
truth.

Most people don't realize the downsides of high end suspension components, which typically are higher maintenance costs at shorter intervals (replacing uniballs, bushings, and the labor costs associated with them). Sometimes, a less expensive alternative is the better option for the vast majority of buyers.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine showed me this video and it helped me decide to go with Ball Joint UCA's instead of Uniball.

I feel that A LOT of people go with uniball because of the 'cool factor' but don't use it for it's purpose.

I went with Camburg's version and so far have had no issues. Have done two fastish desert runs going about 25-40 mph and they have held up fine so far.

About to re-grease the ball joints after 5k!

I did consider JBA also but went with camburg because they're local to me. I'm not sure if the Camburg UCA's have to be removed when replacing the ball joint though, so i think JBA wins in that aspect of R & D.
 
Daikon said:
A friend of mine showed me this video and it helped me decide to go with Ball Joint UCA's instead of Uniball.

I feel that A LOT of people go with uniball because of the 'cool factor' but don't use it for it's purpose.

I went with Camburg's version and so far have had no issues. Have done two fastish desert runs going about 25-40 mph and they have held up fine so far.

About to re-grease the ball joints after 5k!

I did consider JBA also but went with camburg because they're local to me. I'm not sure if the Camburg UCA's have to be removed when replacing the ball joint though, so i think JBA wins in that aspect of R & D.
Click to expand...


I have no clue what a Uniball is. I am looking for something that will give a little more travel when out on trails and at Moab, and not break the bank.
 
Signal said:
I have no clue what a Uniball is. I am looking for something that will give a little more travel when out on trails and at Moab, and not break the bank.
Click to expand...

Watch the video in this post.

4RunnerAquasport said:
The JBAs have some fans out there. I have no personal experience with them but the Ball Joint maintenance longevity and the adjustable design makes it a good choice. I have Total Chaos on 2 vehicles and love them. But I am getting ready to rebuild them after 50k miles on my 5th gen. They are still doing fine but I have stretched the recommended interval by several thousand miles, making the JBAs look even better to a lot of people, not having to worry about a rebuild for quite a bit longer than a Uniball design.
TC, Camburg, Dirt King uniballs cost more money, making the JBAs a good choice again. Dirt King makes good stuff from the reviews and have both designs, but their BJ design cost more than JBA. SPCs are the same design as the JBAs, but more money as well. They had QC issues a few years back, Filthy Motorsports who seem to have good standards are selling them, but I can't say if they fixed the QC issues. There are quite a few offerings out there making the decision lengthy, but I think if you stick to mild offroading as you say, the JBAs will be fine.
The other issue with aftermarket is finding a competent shop to align the adjustable Ball Joint design, some guys just have never seen them and don't know lifted trucks either. Now even with the upper end UCAs, some shops won't touch them because they aren't a factory component anymore. Most the time those type of shops are the ones you don't want touching your vehicle anyway. I'm lucky to have followed a crusty old tech from one shop to another for years. He insists on doing shit right unlike a lot of the horror stories you hear about.
Ironically I watched a video today by Ben Brazda at Filthy Motorsports.
This might help, or it might make your decision ever more difficult.

Good Luck!!

P.S. To speed your research up, use this search phrase (site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/) with your question in your standard Google bar ie: JBA UCA reviews site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4A3QGLEpTQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...
 
uniballs have a bad rap on here.
They're easy to clean, and very strong. When they need replacement, they're only $45, and can be done quickly and easily.

If you don't spray anything on them that will destroy the teflon lining, they will last a very long time. The problem is that people hear a noise and spray WD40 on them, and the lining is ruined immediately. People constantly recommend spraying WD40 on anything suspension related that's squeaking, and it's bad advice.

I've got 3 years including 3 hard winters on my current set. I wash them with the rest of the truck, drip some tri-flo on the top, and they're good to go. Mine are silent, and they look like new.

I've used the wrong lube on some before, and they were destroyed. Hard lesson. But it was my fault, not the uniballs.
 
Signal said:
Thanks guys. I remeber seeing pictures of some builds with the tires really close to the UCA. I am planning on going with SCS Ray 10 wheels and 285/70's or 295/70's. I forgot which thread it's in but I saw the pictures a few times of people and I am unsure if that is a issue while offroading.
Click to expand...

I'm also running the SCS Ray 10 with a 285/70 tire. No issues
 

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I'm running Dobinsons UCAs and hadn't heard them mentioned yet. They're worth it to me since they're the only ones on the market with an OEM maintenance free sealed ball joint. There's a thread on here about them, check them out.
 
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