Which Upper Control Arms ?

xcmountain80

New member
There aren't a ton of choices but there still are a few. Going with 315's and will need the extra room.

Light Racing $435
Camburg $528
Total Chaos $725
All Pro $499

or just replace my upper BJ and UCA bushings and get Spider Trax wheel spacers $320 + shipping.

This is kind of a need to make a choice quickly.

A
 
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I have the light racing UCA's and like them. They are lighter than the stock control arms, and the bj is much bigger, with plenty of adjustment having a lift. Purchased mine just for peace of mind not knowing the exact condition of the original bj. I only have 285s so can't provide any insight on how much room is between the control arm and the tire but with the 285s I have plenty of room throughout the wheel travel.
 
There aren't a ton of choices but there still are a few. Going with 315's and will need the extra room.

Light Racing $435
Camburg $528
Total Chaos $725
All Pro $499

or just replace my upper BJ and UCA bushings and get Spider Trax wheel spacers $320 + shipping.

This is kind of a need to make a choice quickly.

A

I would say go with replacing the stock joints and bushings and get spacers.

Why are you going to 315's? That's alot of money to spend on top of paying the premium for the larger tires every time. Are 285's holding you back?
 
I would say go with replacing the stock joints and bushings and get spacers.

Why are you going to 315's? That's alot of money to spend on top of paying the premium for the larger tires every time. Are 285's holding you back?


Well the 315's are almost new and are $500, I NEED new tires wihtin the next 5K. I'm running 295 Nitto TG's $1250 out the door. Add the other front end components I'm already replacing and the difference to run 315's with new UCA's is $200 vs stock and Brand New 295's. I'm already geared to 4.88 so thats a non issue, gas mileage and weight should be darn close considering there is only a 1.22" diameter (0.61" added height) and 0.59" in width which is 0.29" on each side.
 
Where do the replacement ball joints come from for the LR UCA's? I imagine they are available but I didn't come up with anything in a google search. Field serviceability is key.

A
 
Where do the replacement ball joints come from for the LR UCA's? I imagine they are available but I didn't come up with anything in a google search. Field serviceability is key.

A

The Light Racing arms are actually from a company called Specialty Products Company - SPC Alignment

I shot them off a note due to an issue I thought I had and asked at the time about replacements for the UBJ. I was told they are available but are not listed on their site. Normally when they have one that needs to be replaced, which is not often, they get warranted out.
 
I am running the LR UCA's as well. They're great, lots of room for a adjustment which is great. It's a replacable ball joint, and what really sold me on them was the fact that you don't need to replace the ball every year especially if one lives in areas that are highly salted in the winter. I have friends who have ALL-PRO UCA's, TC UCA's and most are due for the uniball's to be replaced. If they aren't worn, the squeak...It's brutal.
 
UCA's should be here Tuesday and swapping them Thursday. I'm guessing they should be setup at the 0 position?

A

Thats where I set the caster on mine and the camber adjustment as close to the center as I could. During alignment the caster was about dead center in the green range and minute camber adjustments on the cam bolts at the LCA.

However, I have the top plate spacer installed with 881 springs in the front. My front now sits higher than the rear so I need to pull the spacer out. You might want to go 1 or 2 notches towards less caster if you are not using a top plate spacer.
 
Thats where I set the caster on mine and the camber adjustment as close to the center as I could. During alignment the caster was about dead center in the green range and minute camber adjustments on the cam bolts at the LCA.

However, I have the top plate spacer installed with 881 springs in the front. My front now sits higher than the rear so I need to pull the spacer out. You might want to go 1 or 2 notches towards less caster if you are not using a top plate spacer.

I have a 1/2" spacer and running LC coils so I should be right on or just slightly down (pretty much where it is now) in the front.

A
 
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Thanks, I compared that to mine and was ablt to get to the alignment shop. Funny though I noticed your UCA boltis toward the tire and mine after alignment is in toward the vehicle.

A
 
Most on here seem to like the light racing control arms but I've read a few threads on ttora calling into question the bushings longevity....granted they were older threads and the problem may be corrected by now.

I'm looking to get either allpro's, camburgs, or light racing UCAs in the next two weeks and wanted help making a final decision.
 
Most on here seem to like the light racing control arms but I've read a few threads on ttora calling into question the bushings longevity....granted they were older threads and the problem may be corrected by now.

I'm looking to get either allpro's, camburgs, or light racing UCAs in the next two weeks and wanted help making a final decision.

I talked to someone somewhere and the issue had to do with installation. Since Light Racing or SPC use/used rubber stock light bushings the upper control arm had to be set level or in the up position. There was an issue with folks letting them droop, tightening, then attaching to the ball joint via spindle, making for an unusual range of motion (beyond full droop) thus causing the rubber to tear prematurely.

My brother just installed them on his 2006 Tacoma and they came with poly bushings, no OE style rubber ones like on my 2002 4Runner. Either way they can fix alignment issues, and are a very nice addition for the $$. We purchased both sets from Fat Bob's garage as they seem to have the best value.

Aaron
 
I talked to someone somewhere and the issue had to do with installation. Since Light Racing or SPC use/used rubber stock light bushings the upper control arm had to be set level or in the up position. There was an issue with folks letting them droop, tightening, then attaching to the ball joint via spindle, making for an unusual range of motion (beyond full droop) thus causing the rubber to tear prematurely.

My brother just installed them on his 2006 Tacoma and they came with poly bushings, no OE style rubber ones like on my 2002 4Runner. Either way they can fix alignment issues, and are a very nice addition for the $$. We purchased both sets from Fat Bob's garage as they seem to have the best value.

Aaron

I looked at Fat Bobs site but they didn't list any LR control arms for a 3rd gen. Wheeler's has the next best price at 4 and some change.
 

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