Toyota's WEAKEST Part of the Suspension

One of, if not the weakest point on the Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner and FJ Cruiser's front suspension is the Cam Tabs. Its very common for these to fold over flat under a hard hit. There are a few ways to fix this.
1: Weld the Cam Tabs. We can do this in our shop
2: Total Chaos Cam Tab Gussets - overlandoutfitters.ca/product...
3: Marlin Crawler Cam Gusset Kit
4: JD LCA Pivot Relocation Kit - overlandoutfitters.ca/product...
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[@russellstedman139]

Thanks for the great explanation to what happened to our Taco while on a trail in Utah. We ended up towing the truck all the way home to the Seattle area, because we couldn't figure out why the wheel had gotten shoved up into the UCA while creeping along a slow winding trail and hitting a downed tree on the side of the trail at about 2-3 MPH. After I watched this video I went out and checked out the tabs on the damaged side and sure enough they were flattened completely. I'd give this video two thumbs up if I could.

[@OverlandOutfitters]

That's a crazy story. Glad I could help, but bummed you had to tow all that way! It's one of those things that are easy to prevent if you know about it, but you don't really think about it until it's too late!

[@tsslaporte]

The Cams and tabs are not designed to support the vehicles weight thats why the tabs get messed up. Its important to make sure the LCA bolts are kept tight, once they loosen then game over.

[@hokz7283]

True..never had problems since 1998. I think those on rust areas suffers this issue

[@user-zn3hn5be1v]

LCA what is this acroynym? Lower Cam???

[@tsslaporte]

@@user-zn3hn5be1v lower control arm

[@hokz7283]

Lower control arm

[@user-zn3hn5be1v]

Da.. just thought of it Lower Control Arm

[@rhllnm]

New '07 Tacoma owner here. Thanks for your advice. Subscribed.

[@chriss6154]

Fabulous video man. You do this all day, you hit on a bunch of stuff that saved me time and guessing. I have 35s and 100k MI. mostly pavement driving but even w yota reliability the tires have so much leverage smoked the lowr arm bushings. If I could offer any advice to someone reading this just remember. You lift and get big tires it will wear stuff out faster. Learn how to check stuff yourself. Your just a number to most shops. Most want u in n out. Do it urself, save$, and learn along the way. Had 2shops tell me my truck can't be aligned. Looked myself and saw the prob in 2 min.

[@4xhoser]

Awesome video man thinking I'll deffs go jdfab or mc kit 🤘🇨🇦

[@SlimeInnaTaco]

Most helpful video I found thanks !!!!!!

[@lingedai3816]

Good video and very insightful explanation. I chose the TC cam tab gussets kit for my 4runner and they are fantastic. The original cam tab was broken which caused the cam bolt to break and the out of alignment led to a worn out wheel bearing as well. (Stellar Built helped me with the cam tab gussets and they are the best offroad in California IMO)

[@SlimeInnaTaco]

Do you have a link?

[@DylanBogusz]

Any suspension recommendations for a daily driver/weekend camper? Looking to clear 33's on my 3rd gen Tacoma. I was watching some older videos. Looks like you were running OME BP-51's and now Kings? Would be a cool video idea. Thanks!

[@levsheppard2859]

Im installing TotalChaos' cam tab gussets to my 4runner. I currently have 2 bent (stock) tabs.

[@johnb-ke9xi]

good information! i'm here because my 2012 4runner driver front cam tab is flat and i get a lot of thunking noise while driving. nothing is loose that i can find so it must be this. I'm going to go the cheap route for starters and gusset weld the stock tabs and see how they hold. running 295/70 r17 and i think they are partially the culprit.

[@JaydeeRueca]

would love to see a more detailed video on the JD FAB LCA pivot kit. How much does this change the cutting, trimming, cab mount relocate for 35s?

[@FlipTopTopper]

Great information…thanks!

[@Treetopflyer777]

Just had my tabs flattened during an alignment. Likely will go with option 1 or 2

[@ronaldrussell5481]

Good Info. I'm a street only guy so don't really need any of the upgrades, but I do run the cam eliminator kit. Why? It makes no sense to me that you would run one cam in one position and the other cam (on same LCA) in a different position, basically "cocking" the LCA and kind of forcing it to run in a cocked position. I run the cam eliminators in the center position on all 4 and also have an SPC UCA so I can adjust C and C. Seems to work well for me. Also have Super Pro bushings in LCA and all rear control arms.

[@scottcramer2922]

Great video. 2019 tacoma, zone 6" sus lift. Had cams tack welded, still will NOT hold an alignment. Any suggestions what could be failing/moving??

[@AMatofFact]

Just took apart my 2018 truck to put in some new Bilstein shocks for a small lift and discovered my front cam sleeves completely seized. Had to break out the sawzall and hacksaw but I got it out. Unfortunately I'm replacing it with an OEM cam since I can't justify spending so much on the aftermarket kits.

[@farookismail6470]

Nice video appreciate you making it. I tried welding the flats of the stock cam tabs before and used them with the bison cam eliminators, still bend and the bison's still tried to rotate. I'm going to try the TC kit next with 333 fabrications cam eliminators, a friend has been have good luck on his 4 runner with them. Recently another friend installed the JD kit. very nice but the price....hopefully someone will come up with a more economical solution, but what a sweet kit that is.. thanks

[@OverlandOutfitters]

Welding the tabs can only survive so much abuse, that's for sure. You shouldn't have too many problems with the TC kit though!

[@nanakwasi1678]

Nice video but You could have shown pictures of the options you made to us. Thanks

[@WHEELSWHERE.]

Great info!

[@robormiston2841]

I have a 93 4 Runner and it feels at 40 mph like when I'm rounding a left handed corner it feels like my passenger front tire wants to roll out and go under my rig. Just had Toyota replace the track bar an front end alignment. I just put new upper and lower ball joints on and used Toyota parts, then I replaced tie rod ends and wheel bearings on the front. I did just step up from 35 inch tires to 38.5x11x15 boggers. I'm going to replace my control arm bushing next. Any tips on what it needs. It feels like I'm teetering on 3 tires at 50 mph.

[@kat4animals004]

Wow! Thank you for this information! I have a 2005 tundra. I tow a 4500k pet grooming trailer. My truck pulls it smooth. However- I need to make sure everything is good with suspension etc. For now- I def need Upper control arm bushing replaced- My truck goes into my mechanic Wednesday. I'm sure she'll need a bit more- of course both Upper control arms and maybe ball joints (?) (I am no mechanic, just trying to research and learn about my truck!) The bushing (rubber) is very much deteriorating. I see it and Hear the noise while driving. Any suggestions of what other things to tell mechanics to check for? Thanks!

[@DarrenTerhune]

JD Fab pivot kit 💯

[@photogenetics89]

Such information, much wow.

[@JamesBerkey]

This video was great. Kinda like the random noise in the background. Brings some “realism” to the videos

[@InGratitudeIam]

I'm installing new LCAs in my 5thGen 4Runner. I will be welding/gusseting the OEM tabs. I run 33s but I'm not sure if I need to go to the next level with Total Chaos or the others you mentioned. I try to minimize impacts as much as possible, but that's no guarantee that I shouldn't step things up a notch... or two... or three. :)) If my current set of skid plates are any indication, I might need to crank things up to 11 (outdated pop-culture "This is Spinal Tap" reference). Thanks!

[@Mrguitarcraze]

Hello, my dealership bent a couple of mine from a botched alignment. The body shop said they wouldn’t weld it because that area is considered spring steel. Even went so far as to say that it would require a whole new frame. What are your thoughts on that? Thanks

[@chadwalter46]

Could you show the weld you do for the lower cost fix. I'm interested in finding a shop to do this for me. TIA

[@GerardoOquendo]

Following for the same, they should’ve show all the options and solutions.

[@FourT6and22]

I have a '21 4Runner and they seized up on me already. Had to scrap the entire lower control arms and start over. PITA

[@user-zn3hn5be1v]

Like to see you do a video on the welding. This was great info. Why dosen't Toyota weld them from the factory?

[@knightzSa]

My 2017 4Runner has the sleeves seized but the alignment came in decent with the lift and bigger tires so I’m gonna let it be.

[@joebarganski8358]

People watching this is going think the JD lower cradle is something new. For as long as it's been out they don't market very much. It's a nice upgrade

[@aliao17]

New format works! I would keep the intro video though. Shop noise wasn’t too bad and I think this opens up the opportunity for you to use more props / show some actual related work being done as it happens. If it also means there’s more frequent videos from less burnout that’s even better 😛

[@OverlandOutfitters]

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't know if the intro roll was getting boring, but I can definitely throw it in! I wish I was better with shooting b-roll and that stuff, but I will make an effort!

[@aliao17]

@@OverlandOutfitters imo it can totally just be the same intro every time. I think it’s important for new viewers and will set the tone, and as a returning viewer I don’t mind watching it again as it’s not annoying or overly long (or if I’m really bing watching I can skip it 😂)

[@OverlandOutfitters]

@@aliao17 appreciate the input!

[@ligiadurstenfeld8567]

Hey Braeden, I’m just beginning to modify my 2002 Tundra. I’ve found a good shop in my area and they seem experienced and knowledgeable. Still, I wanted your opinion on whether to replace control arms or keep the stock ones. We’re replacing shocks and springs front and rear and only aiming for 1’ lift. As you’ve suggested, it’s about handling the weight better, not about getting sky high. Just to keep the cost down my guy suggested we Reuther stock control arms. What do you think? I want to be able to go off road confidently, but I don’t plan anything crazy. Thanks, AD

[@rudysanchez5176]

If your only going up an inch yea keep the stock

[@BradenYoungMTB]

Do you know if there are any kits like the JDFab kit where it pushes the control arms forward, for a 1st Gen Tacoma?

[@OverlandOutfitters]

as far as I know, there isn't. However, there are long travel kits that would push the wheels forward

[@ReimerKeith]

I had a Marlin Crawler kit preemptively installed on a 2019 4Runner. The Cams were nearly frozen on one side. The downside to the Marlin Crawler set-up is that it requires a diff drop to clear the drivers side.

[@Intentsrig]

One way around that is cutting that brace plate about 90% through with a cutting wheel, putting it in a vice and bending the plate upward, reweld along the line of the cut and then it will be above to the driver side diff mount. You'll be able to weld most of the plate in that area now.

[@rudysanchez5176]

I’ve been trying to find people with your knowledge in the Los Angeles area and can’t it’s frustrating I have a 06 4 runner with 3 inch lift SPC uca and if you know of a location near me please send me there location good video thank you

[@AscendingBliss]

This is all such excellent information, thank you so much! I am actually getting ready to do a complete rebuild on my Tacoma's LCAs - all new ball joints and poly bushings. I actually have a question that I'm sure you would be way more qualified to answer than myself: Okay, so I already have SPC adjustable UCAs. My question is, could I just get away with getting rid of my cam bolts and simply replace them with regular grade 8 or 10.9 bolts and still be able to get a decent alignment? My thinking is, if I can get sufficient adjustment from the UCAs and tie rods together, then I might not even need the extra LCA adjustability, right?? Or wrong? Lol I am so damn tired of my alignment being off after a simple backcountry drive. I prefer to do my own alignments at home, but its usually just for toe because the cam tab adjustment is such a pain in the butt and I just end up making it worse. So if I could eliminate it altogether, I'd be a happy camper. More simplicity/fewer things to worry about. Thanks to this video, I fully plan on reinforcing my cam tabs with a bead of weld either way. Anyway, I really appreciate your insight and expertise!

[@OverlandOutfitters]

There are other routes I would go before removing the cams completely. They are needed to keep the bolts from sliding in the slots. There are cam eliminator kits that sort of do what you're talking about. You could also just get it aligned once professionally, and then tack weld the cams in place.

[@jwmmitch]

I'm new to overlanding and driving off road. I just got my list kit and required alignment and I was wondering if getting an alignment after every adventure is kind of standard. Sounds like the answer is maybe/ sort of.... better get my cams welded

[@lalok9912]

I dont do off-road so i want to correct my camber because my wheel is crooked in how can i solve this problem 3 mechanics no one could fixed

[@joshuanieblas4714]

Awsome content,.mahalos!

[@Nessal83]

Get aftermarket skid plates that cover up the cam tabs and you won't really have an issue.

[@ryanbender7962]

Awesome video. Could the settings on the cam bolts affect the height of the front of the vehicle? For instance have one side sag?

[@OverlandOutfitters]

Not really, the cams are able to move side to side but not vertically. They can change the position of the wheel forward or back in the wheel well though

[@ryanbender7962]

@@OverlandOutfitters that’s what I thought. Someone suggested that and I thought it was odd. Thanks

[@Reagansolum13]

Could you do a video on differential drops?

[@OverlandOutfitters]

I'll add it to the list! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@erice4611]

I rum 32” tires and off road fast and slow the hell out of my 01 Tacoma for since 2001 and never have bent a cam tab but welding wouldn’t be a bad idea. The rest I think is a waste of money.

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

Do people ever break the stock lower control arm ??? I understand the lower ball joints can break ..but what about the control arm itself ???

[@terrychrudinsky5663]

Looks like I took a foot ball up into the passanger side front cam tab and smacked half of it flat and may have bent the nose of the lip also. Slow rock crawling with zero speed. 32" with a 2'" lift. Looks like it got hit by a hammer. I don't weld. How do I go about asking a shop if they could repair it? So alignment has not been altered. Sacramento, Ca area.

[@OverlandOutfitters]

Any decent offroad shop shouldn't have too much trouble with it, but you should get an alignment afterwards. If you weld the tabs without removing the cams and LCA's, it's very likely you will melt the bushings.

[@scottyboybc]

Once the tabs are welded is it possible to change the alignment after that? Would an alignment be needed before the spot weld? Thank you!

[@OverlandOutfitters]

We are welding the tabs, not the cams. Alignments still work as usual, but now a hard hit cant shift the cam over and bend the tab.

[@scottyboybc]

ahhhhh thank you!@@OverlandOutfitters

[@nonamenoname1737]

Hey man, question for ya? what truck do you run? I just upgraded my tires on my 2007 tundra 4x4 5.7 from 295/65/18 to 285/75/18's, and while at the shop waiting for the mount, balance, alignment etc, one of the tech's came out and showed me why they could not do an alignment and why I could have had minor cupping on the inner edges of both previous front tires. He explained that he thinks whoever did my previous alignment after installing my lift, SPC uca's etc bent these cam tabs and they weren't able to do alignment until these cam tabs were fixed. He explained removing the lower control arm, hitting the tab with with a bead of weld but was guessing it was gonna cost me 4k and suggested I went and revisited the other shop that did the LIFT KIT installation to get them to do the work since they bent the tabs in the first place...1) Why would they bend the tabs? 2) would they have bent the tabs or could they have been bent naturally while out bombing on the backroads? I don't jump, nothing crazy or stupid, but I do spend a lot of time on rough gravel roads in fishing and hunting... Lift is a Toytech Boss 3" lift, set at "2.5, SPC UCA's, 285/75/18 Duratrac's Any help with this would be much appreciated? is your shop in BC? Im on the island...

[@OverlandOutfitters]

It's almost definitely from bombing back roads. There's no reason the shop installing the lift would bend the tabs unless they were not very good at their jobs. We weld the cam tabs for around $230+tax so I don't know where that $4k number would come from. Yes we are in BC, we are around 30 min from the Tsawwassen Ferry in Cloverdale. We have lots of customers come over from the island!

[@nonamenoname1737]

@@OverlandOutfitters I appreciate the shout back man. would pictures help just to clarify the issues and make sure this would be a straight forward fix..let me know and I'll try book an appt with you guys if my local guy is too busy or isn't up to the task..

[@nonamenoname1737]

@@OverlandOutfitters I would like to beef things up down there considering how much use I put in the truck on the backroads...let me know what ya think and we can go from there

[@Oldschool503]

So, I just bought a new 2022 2wd Tacoma. Mainly on road use with some light off roading. Should I be concerned with them bending? Thanks

[@OverlandOutfitters]

In our most recent video building Jason Lucas's Tacoma, he had only 2000km on his doing light offroading, and one of his was already slightly bent. Enough to put his alignment out a bit.

[@Oldschool503]

@@OverlandOutfitters Can you recommend a shop in Oregon to do the service?

[@OverlandOutfitters]

@@Oldschool503 sorry i don't know any shops in the states.

[@Oldschool503]

@@OverlandOutfitters Ok no worries, thanks

[@evilwhitey98]

When you say grease, what kind are you using?

[@justinbush7610]

I found this out the hard way i had to cut my control arm out and used a small bottle jack and a lot of heat to press the bushings out when I replaced everything I caked it with never seaze haven't had an issue since I've checked them a couple times when I re set my alignment cam lol that's next on my list

[@DADVNTRS]

Does this apply to 2020 TRD Pro 4runner?

[@OverlandOutfitters]

Yep! They are all the same

[@MJ-qe5lg]

Well lots of good info. Need some visuals thou. Other wise it becomes a long monologue

[@OverlandOutfitters]

been working on that! It triples the amount of work though, and I don't have a lot of time for videos unfortunately! Thanks for the feedback though! Some of my newer videos have a lot more b-roll

[@midlifeflow]

I have a 2018 and mine were seized.

[@OverlandOutfitters]

It's disappointing that Toyota hasn't realized that this is an issue and just lubed them from the factory.

[@wealthyblackman2655]

Obviously this applies to newer Toyota trucks because Toyota went to a bigger body style... This is a tiny little issue... Please note: This is a "fabricator" that is talking about these Toyota trucks... He is NOT an engineer, mechanic, or even a person whom could change oil on a Toyota truck! I won't subscribe at all because Toyota engineers are the best in the world and fabricators are dumb.

[@emeraldcitydreamz]

Get a life

[@justinbush7610]

Idk man everything seams to be on point with what I've experienced with my 4 runner yes the toyota engineers are some of the best but there not designing theses vehicles for big tires and updated suspension there designing them for efficiency and reliability while meeting regulations while appealing to the most amount of people's everyone uses there vehicles different if you use your toyota as a grocery getter you have nothing to worry about but most of us watching this have installed lifts and bigger tires wich causes extra stress and then becomes necessary to address the issue not trying to b a prick but if this doesn't apply to you that's fine but that doesent mean he doesn't know what he's talking about I know all to well the feeling of hitting a hard bump and having my alignment get knocked way off but I enjoy doing modification to my 4 runner and I'm also that guy doing 50 in a snow storm when everyone else is doing 20 but if you don't beleave me that's fine just do a quick Google search there's plenty of companies making different kits and parts for whatever you want to do with your toyota

[@brandonhaggard8592]

I went solid axle.. @creampuffcrawler