What is the advantage of replacing just the upper control arms?
- Thread starter bassmacka
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S p a r k y
New member
When you lift a 4runner 2" or more. Some say 3". You will have a problem getting your alignment back, Caster is the problem. (Wheel placement inside the fender) Aftermarket UCA's get that back into line.
What not having them will do. You will get more rub against the cab, and traveling down the road you will swerve and jerk more, if that makes sense.
What not having them will do. You will get more rub against the cab, and traveling down the road you will swerve and jerk more, if that makes sense.
NinjaOne
New member
Aftermarket UCAs are often designed to allow more travel, but more importantly allows you to get a proper alignment after a moderate lift (2.5"+) Lifting impacts your caster (angle between upper and lower balljoint(or uniball :thumb: ) Caster impacts handling characteristics and once lifted many find they are happier with additional caster over stock (3-6°) This additional caster increases a stable feeling, especially at high speeds, and reduces tire rub with larger tires by moving the tire away from the cab
And yes, they are typically stronger as well and as well as helping larger tires clear suspension components
And yes, they are typically stronger as well and as well as helping larger tires clear suspension components
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Yes, I would assume uniball's are quite a bit stronger than the stock ball joints.
Aftermarket UCA's come in two main varieties, stainless steel or teflon coated steel uniball, or ball joint. Both of these will allow your alignment shop to get your tire angles back into factory spec to reduce wear and increase handling. This gets more necessary as your suspension lift amount increases, usually recommended on the forums starting at 2" of lift.
Uniball: I would recommend Total Chaos or Camburg. Needs proper maintenance regimen or luck to keep from squeaking. Frequent washing and a shot of tri-flow every once in a while should go a long ways.
Pros:
Strong
Lots of droop
Blingy
Cons:
Uniballs can rust
Uniballs can squeak
Ball Joint: This is probably the wiser option if you live near the coastline, or your roads are salted during the winter, or you would be driven crazy if there were any squeaks. The ball joint design is pretty well sealed and still allows quite a bit of travel. I would recommend the Camburg ball joints, they seem to have a solid design.
Pros:
Sealed and maintenance free
Should last longer
Cons:
Ball joints might be weaker
Ball joints might not allow as much travel (could be a myth, others will reply with more knowledge)
Not as blingy
They don't need to match any of the other component's brands.
Aftermarket UCA's come in two main varieties, stainless steel or teflon coated steel uniball, or ball joint. Both of these will allow your alignment shop to get your tire angles back into factory spec to reduce wear and increase handling. This gets more necessary as your suspension lift amount increases, usually recommended on the forums starting at 2" of lift.
Uniball: I would recommend Total Chaos or Camburg. Needs proper maintenance regimen or luck to keep from squeaking. Frequent washing and a shot of tri-flow every once in a while should go a long ways.
Pros:
Strong
Lots of droop
Blingy
Cons:
Uniballs can rust
Uniballs can squeak
Ball Joint: This is probably the wiser option if you live near the coastline, or your roads are salted during the winter, or you would be driven crazy if there were any squeaks. The ball joint design is pretty well sealed and still allows quite a bit of travel. I would recommend the Camburg ball joints, they seem to have a solid design.
Pros:
Sealed and maintenance free
Should last longer
Cons:
Ball joints might be weaker
Ball joints might not allow as much travel (could be a myth, others will reply with more knowledge)
Not as blingy
They don't need to match any of the other component's brands.
bassmacka
Member
I forgot to mention that in addition to the fj springs and 5100 Bilstein set at .85 I also have a Daystar spacer. I didn't want to max out the strut but wanted a bit more lift. I had alignment issues bit it was the lower control arm bushing. I bought a new lower control arm because the shop told me it was almost as much as getting a new bushing and pressing it in. Now I have and extra lower control arm in my garage. Not sure if it's related to the lift but my alignment is holding now.
