JBA Upper Control Arms

Was close to pulling the trigger on the JBA UCA's for my 2019 Tundra but when looking at their website was sorta frustrated by what you get. They might be just perfect but for the Tacoma they offer a HD(heavy duty) model and state right on the website that it is for harder use 4x4, rock climbing, etc. and their STD(standard) duty are for lighter offroad use. The STD ones look almost the exact same as the ones for the Tundra while the HD ones look significantly stronger. This to me seems that considering the Tundra is over 1000lbs heavier then the Tacoma were already starting off with a strike. Last thing I want when I'm 60 miles offroad in Arizona Unit 9 with a 700lb elk in the back having to worry about what I thought would be a great UCA but again JBA themselves seem to admit we realized its weak so for the Tacoma we made a HD version but you guys in the Tundra's maybe just go REAL slow.

 

SPC might be a better option. I’m getting this UCA for my next lift either 4.5” or 6”

 

Jba only makes a hd uca for the tundra. I had them on my truck for about a year and had absolutely no problems with them what so every they pretty heavily built.

 

I have the JBA's and they are beefy. I love them and the ease of maintaining them compared to SPC.

 

I looked at this picture and thought why are those backwards, then realized was looking at opposite side, I am going to get coffee.

 

Haha yeah I know what you mean I actually was wondering that for a second when I was going through the photos.

 

Should not worry so much about the what if!!!!! Just pull the trigger and dont miss the Elk!!

 

Just put 3,000 miles on going out to Colorado and back with my recently installed JBA's, some off-roading as well, flawless performance overall. Tracked perfectly at 4 degrees of caster, and no sign of wear (abnormal or otherwise) on the Nittos.

 

I've heard of more failures on the SPC/LR UCAs than JBA. That said, I think SPC sells a lot more units, so it could just be quantity.

Between the two, I would get the JBA. That said, there is a group buy on T4R.org for the SPC that is not limited to 4Runner UCAs. Might be worth a look.

 

JBA is definitely better than SPC. I had JBA's on my 4Runner and will again be buying them for my Tundra when the time comes. Plus you cannot beat the customer service you get with JBA. IF you have concerns don't hesitate to contact them. IMO they are a great UCA and I would be surprised if you ever have an issue with them.

 

Hmm.....haven't seen any reported failures with the adjustable SPC's posted here in 6 years......

 

Is an alignment required if you install JBA UCA's? Also, does it give more clearance between the tire and factor UCA?

 

Yes. Even if you replace OEM with OEM UCA, you should still get an alignment. You are changing a critical component of the suspension and an alignment should absolutely be done.

 

I think they've addressed most of the issues, but IIRC there was a bad batch of ball joints that went out on Tacoma UCAs. That said, JBA also had a recent bad batch of boots on the UBJ. There is chance of failure with either brand.

 

SPC has a long track record of quality products made right here in beautiful Colorado

 

That is speculative.

https://www.google.com/search?q=spc...hUKEwi56MHQ_dzsAhWQ0FMKHYkJDQUQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

Like I said, I think they have worked out most of the issues, but there are plenty of people who wouldn't buy them again.

 

Not speculative at all. Like I said as far as Tundras I haven't seen one post here in 6 years about any member with issues. Many of us Colorado members have had the privilege to meet the SPC reps several times at @Toytec Customer Appreciation Day. SPC has wide support here and they always donate a couple sets of uca's for the raffle.

 

That's nice of them to donate to the raffle.

You're not wrong. In fact, you're confirming what I said.

But you'll have to forgive me for being "cautious" about them given the number of failures reported across the many platforms. In the google search I linked above, you see failures on Land Cruisers, Tacomas, 4Runners and FJ Cruisers. Maybe they are better now, maybe they will have more failures in the future. Neither of us can say.

And with that, I have no more comments. This thread is about JBA UCAs. Not SPC.

Just last week I saw a post on TW where a member had a torn boot on an essentially brand new JBA UCA BJ. Apparently it was a bad batch from Moog and no way to identify which were bad out of the batch. The good news in that though is that JBA is making it right with a new UBJ when the next batch is available. They also gave the customer the option of getting another UBJ from the current batch (which they declined).

 

I had JBAs on my 4Runner. Really liked them. They had the clearance I needed with the lift I had, and they made all my alignments come back with high caster from the time I put them on. I’ll probably look there first if I go aftermarket on my Tundra.

 

Smart choice

 

I'm sure JBA's are decent. I'm not a SPC rep at all. SPC is an approved vendor here at T.com. A long time. You don't stay a long time vendor here if there are issues. IE> Victory. I myself still need to mount up my beefy as heck fully boxed welded steel Zone Offroad uca's....

 

I have spc on my tacoma....putting jbas on my Tundra tomorrow...best of both worlds I guess.

 

Nice! I assume you won't really be able to tell a difference, but please let us know if you do!

 

I cannot tell a difference....my Tacoma doesn't ride as nice as the Tundra. I have icons on it and to me the ride was never good...stock or with the Icons...just saying. The JBAs are prettier....lol and considering how light the factory arms are...you cant go wrong with JBA or SPC. I did have to return the spc arms a long time ago. They had issues with the bushings but that was solved so a non problem.

 

Ordered the JBA for my 2014 CM. They only list the high caster option, and I am hoping it will work fine with my 2.5" 6112 lift + 1/4" shim (3") lift (285/55/20), without any abnormal tire wear. I wish JBA would learn to answer their phone.

 

Do you have to get rims with an offset, or will they clear the tires with factory TRD wheels? 29570R18's Cooper XLT; 6112's in front on top setting; 5160's rear. Truck is basically level.

 

Such a common myth. I don't know of a single person with an SPC failure besides one guy on youtube from 2017, who for all we know didn't install them correctly.

This is SPC's third iteration of their balljoint. I can assure you they're rock solid.

 

He answers emails pretty well. You made a good choice.

 

I was under the impression SPCs were made in China?

Anyways, I have the JBAs on both my 4Runner and Tundra and I can say with certainty that they are superior in strength and quality over the SPCs.

 

JBA's are solid and true! Good luck