Upper and Lower Control Arms Install | 4th Gen 4Runner/ GX470 I JBA Off-road + SuperPro

The BEST Upper and Lower Control Arms for 4th Gen 4Runners I Full Install & Review
Today we install and review some JBA High Caster Heavy Duty upper control arms and Super-pro double offset lower control Arms on the 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner. If you are lifting your Tacoma or 4Runner, I would HIGHLY recommend picking up a set of control arms from JBA!
JBA Control Arms: jbaoffroad.com/?rfsn=7632092....
(If you do purchase JBA's, buying them through this link really helps support the channel and means more videos more often!)
Parts/Tools Used:
JBA Control Arms: jbaoffroad.com/?rfsn=7632092....
Control Arm Grease: amzn.to/3FIualR
Grease Gun: amzn.to/47aSAQI
Diablo Blades: amzn.to/40o1rMs
Coupons (Code: LOOSEAXLES)
25% off LED Lights: www.auxito.com/txtHVIknQVuVKB
5% off 4Runner Lights/Accessories: www.4rcustoms.com
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:05 - The BEST Upper and Lower Control Arms for 4th Gen 4Runners I Full Install & Review
00:25 - Unboxing the JBA UCAs & SuperPro LCAs
01:00 - JBA High Caster Heavy Duty Upper Control Arms
03:00 - Super Pro Double Offset Lower Control Arms
06:00 - Removing the Upper Control Arm
11:00 - Installing JBA UCAs
15:50 - Greasing JBA Upper Control Arms
16:50 - Removing the Lower Control Arms
20:20 - Removing Lower Control Arm Frozen Cam Bolts
21:10 - Installing new Lower Control Arms
22:40 - Aligning your Cam Tabs (Camber and Caster)
24:53 - Final Review
Loose Axles is a community focused on navigating the Toyota automotive world, discovering new products, sharing helpful information, and building some sweet offroad Toyota rigs! For full build lists, social media links, and contact information please visit: campsite.to/looseaxles
#toyota #offroad #overland

[@looseaxles]

FREE MERCH! Are you looking to buy JBA Control Arms? Make sure to use the link in my description and code LOOSEAXLES at checkout to secure some free JBA merch with your order!

[@looseaxles]

This is a long one! A few weeks later now and I’m still loving the setup. Thanks for stopping by!

[@Jonesocinco]

I'm about to do this very thing to my 04 Tacoma. Thank you for the info!

[@looseaxles]

Fantastic! Those JBA’s are wicked.

[@gagesaskel8904]

Just bought the same setup for my 03. Installing it this week cant wait

[@looseaxles]

You’re going to love them Gage! By far the best combo I’ve come across!

[@BlazingFaith1945]

I decided to go stock on my lower control arms because as far as I could tell the only real upgrade with aftermarket ones were polyurethane bushings. Now I used to have a 13 v8 mustang and I remember when I upgraded the back lower control arms they also came with the polyurethane bushings. The one thing I did not like about the polyurethane bushings is that they created NAV (noise and vibration) on my mustang. The best way I could describe it was a tinny noise, as if it was raining. There were even affordable OEM Toyota LCA that came with the polyurethane bushings, but I personally do not like noise on my cars and I did not want to take the risk. Back when I had a bit of pocket change, this was also the same reason I did not get those specially UCA, like total chaos. I hear the exposed ball joint causes a lot of squeaking and you have to grease them pretty frequently. I completely agree with SPC having some defects. Instead of buying the individuals toyota OEM cam Tab parts, many will buy a the complete aftermarket kit from SPC instead of searching and buying the part one by one. As you might have guessed many people complain that the SPC kit results with some play in the steering wheel, similar to your UCA issue. I tried to warn people on this guy's channel reviewing the dirt king control arms, but he totally did not take it well. So far I've decided to go OEM with my LCA and tab cam. For UCA I got some ironman's since they had a great sale on them and they give me the option of adding bigger wheels in the future if I want. Mine are currently working without a problem, but they are getting a recall to add a cap to the ball joint part, so I'm getting another set free sometime in the future. When I'm iffy about aftermarket I usually go stock, see how well it does and then upgrade from there if needed. I'll definitely consider your LCA setup in the feature if something goes wrong! I also have a HD LCA Frame Brace from Marlin Crawler that I have not installed yet, but that is supposed to help fortify the stock cam tabs as I hear they are a weak point on 4th gens. Keep up the great work!

[@looseaxles]

Always love your replies my friend! In my opinion, if you aren’t going long travel, the only “proven” options for lowers really end up being OEM and Superpro. I haven’t had any issues with the poly bushings up to this point, and man do they drive smoother! The one upside for this kit was the oversized two piece cam hardware. With the OEM hardware, I didn’t want to pay the price premium and have seized cams a year later as they salt the roads where I live. Im glad you brought up the SPC lower cam bolt kits - Ive heard a lot of the same complaints as well. Love your insights - you are a wise owner!

[@itsdoncartagena6485]

I did the superpro LCA bushing upgrade on mine with the stock LCA, so far so good

[@looseaxles]

Nice!! I’ve heard great things about them.

[@xrptrdpro4056]

debating on this myself. im on the fence because i want to replace the ball joint anyway. I only got 36k miles out of my LCAs and UCA's on a 2021 TRD Pro 4Runner. If the bushings were that shot, I be the ball joints will be in rough shape too. am I overthinking this, or should i just get the bushings.

[@khan_4r]

Ran with SPC’s for not even a year before they failed in both the ball joints and axis bushings. Swapped to Icon delta joint UCA’s and absolutely love them. Will not be selling or recommending SPC’s at our shop ever again with how bad of an experience I had with them. They wanted me to send them in for a rebuild on my own budget even with a warranty but luckily where I bought them took them back and offered a full refund 🤙🏼

[@looseaxles]

Dude glad you got out of there before it was too late. They have really been taking advantage of people having no other options and sunk cost into them.

[@BlazingFaith1945]

I hear issues with the SPC tab cam kit with all the bolts and hardware as well. Candian gear head and other forums complain of heaving steering wheel play with their kit. It's better to buy parts OEM and look them up one by one. I tried to warn people on this guy's channel reviewing dirt king control arms but he did not take it well... I'm guessing he was sponsored by them or made a commission through his link.

[@danadair1349]

5 degrees seems like a lot on the caster. I'm about to shitcan my SPCs tomorrow for Dirt King tubed UCAs. I'm already running the Superpro double offset lowers.

[@looseaxles]

It’s a decent chunk for sure! It drives super clean for me with my caster specs. I was skeptical at first, but I’ve been impressed.

[@danadair1349]

I ended up at 4. It drives fine on and offroad. I don't miss the SPCs at all.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Great video! Not a lot of content about these Superpros out there. I'm about to order a set for my 2013, going to get the non offset bushing since I'm only lifting 2 inches. How was it getting out the top bolt for the UCA install? I feel like for a vehicle that lives in the rust belt, that's going to be one PITA of a job. I imagine if that seizes to the bushings sleeves, you'd have to cut it out.

[@looseaxles]

Glad I could help! I’ve never had an issue removing UCA bolts, more so LCA bolts with the cams seizing. Soaking everything in penetrating fluid defs makes a different.. and HEAT!

[@trailrunnah8886]

@@looseaxles I just assume that my LCAs will be frozen, that's why I'm preemptively ordering them. Today's the last day of the 25% off, so I just pulled the trigger. As of now, I don't plan on touching the UCAs, but we'll see how alignment goes after the lift. I'm not going to run anything bigger than a 285/70/17 on a stock wheel, so hopefully I don't have any rubbing issues.

[@xrptrdpro4056]

@@trailrunnah8886 do you know the difference between the double offset and the standard version. about to pull the trigger on this myself and I cant tell if one wont allow caster adj. I have JBA UCAs on my 5th gen too

[@trailrunnah8886]

@@xrptrdpro4056 I honestly don't know. It's kind of hard to tell from their site the exact benefits and use case of the double offset. I ended up going with the single, a friend of mine with an FJ with more lift than I'm planning on also went with the single, and he's running stock UCAs. Don't quote me on this, but I think since you already have UCAs your caster should be okay, correct? You probably don't need extra caster. I haven't installed mine yet, so I can't comment on how they work.

[@YotaSurfs]

Hey! He mentioned my name!!!

[@looseaxles]

If you don’t follow Brandon (@YotaSurf) already, please subscribe and give him your support! He really helped make this video happen and is an awesome dude!

[@operatorlxix5839]

Hey, which LCA part number did you use? They have a couple options. Also, how are they holding up? Are the ball joints easily replaced vs oem? Thanks!

[@looseaxles]

TRC482 is the part number. Ball joints are great! No issues. Very easy to replace. No issues at all!

[@operatorlxix5839]

@@looseaxles excellent! Thanks for the quick reply. I'll be mocking your setup with the JBAs and these lowers. -- I have an 04 about to eclipse 300k. Did all my major maintenance and now get to do the fun upgrades.. Been on an OME setup since 60k and it's completely gone! Haha. About to get accutune 2.5 all around and want to cover all my bases with the UCAs/LCAs.. Love the channel, your power steering flush vid gave me the confidence to do and voila, I did it without a hitch. Thanks again!!

[@sleeks9939]

What’s the difference between OEM Lower control arms and the SuperPro besides the poly bushing? Is it the cam tabs hardware for more caster?

[@looseaxles]

These are offset for more caster, but you can get others that are standard as well. The cam hardware is also oversized which prevents seizing.

[@alistairmaitland4650]

Hey buddy, did you order those superpros from the States? Up here in Yukon and need to get me a new set of LCAs!

[@looseaxles]

Hey man! I actually ended up getting them from a Canadian retailer. I used partsengine.ca

[@alistairmaitland4650]

@@looseaxles awesome, thanks friend!

[@Kypreparedness]

Would you recommend standard superpro lowers with JBA uppers on a 4th gen with 2” lift?

[@looseaxles]

If get the high caster lowers to match! Way easier to fit wheels down the road that way.

[@broletsdiginasmr5366]

You can align the Caster and Camber with these UCA's right?

[@looseaxles]

Caster and Camber are both predominantly aligned through the lower controls arms. You’ll want to maximize your LCA caster regardless of UCA!

[@AlbrightAllnite2589]

You installed your front bolt and tab backwards on the lower control arms. not sure if it actually matters.

[@looseaxles]

They are the way they are to be able to get an impact on them for removal :)

[@jayza9239]

What kind of rims you got what’s the specs?

[@looseaxles]

KMC Lobo -38!

[@xJG91x]

Are the bushings on the Superpros noisy?

[@looseaxles]

They took a little bit to settle in!