Upper Control Arms Needed?

1st off, new member and glad to be here. Ok so I just bought a 2022 SR5 and I’m working on getting it how I’m wanting. I’m looking at the Bilstein 2.5” Front and 2” OME coils in the rear lift. I’ve had different people tell me different things but do I need to replace the OEM control arms at 2.5”? I’d rather not if I don’t have to, but if it’s a must and I won’t be able to get a proper alignment I will.

Thanks in advance

 

May be able to get away with it. But most, including myself recommend new UCA’s when going over 2”

 

UCAs are cheap and easy to change out when the suspension is out.

 

3/2 lift with stock UCA’s no issues, life is good.

 

3/2 lift, The JBA's seem to get a better "range" for caster adjustment, which in turn helps high speed stability. They are fairly easy to install.

 

Standard or HD model?
Thanks

 

3/2 lift. The aftermarket control arms have

Standard model

 

Thanks everybody, I’m going to go ahead and replace the arms. Might as well since it’s going to be apart anyways.

 

That is going to be best path as you will get better caster numbers with alignment. Improved stability and straight line tracking.

 

I dont know if anyone who says UCA's are not needed above a 2 inch lift has driven any vehicle at 50+ MPH that has a low amount of caster in it... In short, she wanders ALOT!!! Its like herding cats on caffeine with a disco ball...
Not only does a lift raise the vehicle, it moves the suspension inward (loss of track width) and fore/aft (loss of caster depending on which way its designed). The aftermarket UCA's help to correct the caster portion that can not be adjusted whether its built into the UCA or its adjustable. Besides that, most of the AM UCA's add clearance around the shock/ spring and help with keeping the upper ball joint from binding at full suspension movement.

Do you "need" them, probably not. If you can get the alignment back to specs, it may not be an issue. But the advantages surely outweigh the cons... To each his own.
Wise decision getting them.

 

Hi, a little late to this discussion but I figured I would ask anyways: which upper control arms would you recommend for a lift greater than 2 in?.

 

Needed? No. Everything will physically bolt up just fine. The vehicle will still drive just fine.
Wanted? Yes probably. As you lift the vehicle, you'll lose some caster angle. This may or may not be a concern depending on who you ask.

Ime the stock 4Runners wander a lot on the freeway. This gets worse after you lift the vehicle and lose that caster angle. A lot of aftermarket upper control arms for the 4Runner add some caster. This helps quite a bit with stability at high speeds.

Personally I notice quite the difference between stock alignment setting vs +3-4 degrees of caster. The truck tracks straighter and wanders less.
The downsides to more caster is the power steering pump will have to work a little harder at slow speeds. (This difference is considered negligible by most)

In all my two cents is to go ahead and get some UCA's but choose carefully. Do plenty of research before your purchase.

 

I have SPC going with them for easy alignment. If I have to replace Dobinson or JBA are my next top 2 short list.

 

I'm not sold on my SPCs. They work fine but I'm not sure if I NEED all that adjustment. Just seems like I'm adding needless complexity.
More importantly they use proprietary ball joints that I can only find online. No going down to the parts store for a new UBJ. That worries me.

When these wear out, I will likely go with Ironman 4x4, Dobinsons or JBA.

 

Well shit boys I went to the a local off road shop for an alignment and some other work.

Noticed my SPC upper ball joints are toast. I’ve only had them for a year…

A local Toyota specialist recommended Apache Off Road Upper Control Arms. Getting installed in a couple weeks.

Don’t buy SPC.

 

Are they from the bunch that were recalled?

 

People either love or hate SPC/adjustable UCA's. Truth be told, if you only have a modest lift of 2-2 1/2 inches, you can often get away running OEM UCA's.

For those that want to make proper alignment easier to obtain, a better way to achieve this is to use fixed position UCA's with built in castor correction of 3-4 degrees like those offered by Dobinson's. You get OEM style rubber bushings and locally available/reliable and replaceable ball joints.

Here is a video that points out why UCA's likely aren't the best choice for those mild lifts of 2-2 1/2 inches. BTW, above that lift height (without an extremely expensive and highly engineered system) you are only decreasing articulation.

The first video explains the shortfalls of SPC adjustable UCA's and the second video at 7:54, explains articulation vs lift height:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqDqHOcTo5I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1tTelhdEiM&t=487s

 

I don’t believe so as these were bought well after the recall notice.

 

I'd go jba instead

 

The reason I won’t be going with JBA is mainly proprietary ball joints. Thats the main issue I had with SPC. I want to be able to go to a local parts store and get a ball joint if needed.

The Apache off road UCAs come with MOOG joints that are a common size. They’re kind of new on the block but they come highly recommended by The Tread Depot. So I’ll try them out and report back

 

Looking forward to your input on them. I saw the video they made awhile back about them, but it didn't include a lot a lot of info, to me they look like the same generic control arms you can get from freedom off-road or whatever. I could be way off base, but it seems to me there's just a factory in China pumping out this UCA that is getting rebranded by multiple vendors.

I like that the JBA ball joints just unbolt. It seems like it would make for a much easier replacement. If you're worried about parts availability, why not just order a pair and keep them on hand for when you need them?

 

I ordered some Freedoms, I’ve heard zero complaints and all positives. I’m just dining it to correct caster and get more camber. They are pretty beefy too

 

3/1 lift, OEM UCA, 2 deg caster, couldn't drive any better. Rock solid and straight as a string.

 

Yup thats the big positive about JBA. I see why people go with them. But pressing out a ball joint is honestly not a difficult thing to do. Also, how often do you plan on having to replace them?

The negatives that I see with JBA:
-Proprietary/ uncommon service parts.
-Additional maintenance.
-Fitment issues with my spare tire. My full size spare (on the stock spare rim) comes in contact with both SPC or JBA UCAs. So wheel choice becomes an issue.

I’ve heard of quality issues with JBA in the past. I remember hearing quality issues about SPC… I told myself it was probably a batch issue and mine will be fine. Not gonna ignore that again.

Nothing wrong with them if that’s what you choose to run though! To each their own!

 

Tire clearance is a good point. I actually have to confirm that the size tire I want on stock wheels will work with JBA. Replacing wheels simply to run a certain control arm is a no-go

I guess it kind of goes both ways with the ball joints. If you don't plan on replacing them often, ease of serviceability and/or proprietary parts are not really that big of an issue either way.

I don't think the ball joint replacement's going to be a frequent thing, but I have to imagine that any replacement ball joint is going to be less durable than the OE Toyota.

I live in New England, so not having to potentially remove the arm to switch the ball joint out is a big plus for me. Everyone says that replacing UCA's is easy, but I imagine on a vehicle in the rust belt not so much. I'm already less than enthused about having to eventually cut out my lowers due to seized bolts.

 

I have bilstein 5100s front and rear and I only put the front clip on the first notch which puts me at just under an inch in the front. I do get a bit of that “wander” you guys mention. Does that mean u probably need AM UAs?

 

^

 

For what its worth. My jba uca are awesome. Problem free for 2 years now. I did rip a ball joint boot and it was very easy to swap out. My alignment is absolutely perfect.