In this review, I will be covering the main reasons why JBA Standard Upper Control Arms (UCAs) are ideal for daily driven 4Runners. Which if we’re honest, is the vast majority of us. Most importantly, they provide better alignment and a more comfortable and controlled ride. The vehicle no longer pulls to the left or right on highways. Going through potholes or even speed bumps, the rig absorbs the impacts better. They are a relatively budget-friendly option that goes a long way.
The majority of people who do decide to lift their rigs typically go with a 2-3” lift. The higher you go, the more likely you will need aftermarket UCAs. Any mechanic will recommend aftermarket UCAs after you raise your rig more than 2″ to preserve your alignment. If you do not upgrade your them, you will have alignment issues, such as your tires not making proper contact with the ground. This can lead to irregular tire wear and stability issues. The OEM UCAs ultimately cannot handle the articulation and abuse because the ball joint is not designed for it.
As we use our rigs for daily driving, we want them to be comfortable and reliable. We already have enough things going on in life; the last thing we need is something else to worry about. Having your suspension dialed in is a priority; no one wants to be driving and feeling every bump on the road or hearing squeaks from their suspension. We want to enjoy the ride and be comfortable during a long day of work. That’s where the JBA comes into play. Let’s get into all of the benefits.
Table Of Contents
1. Corrected Alignment Without Overcomplication
After you install any lift on your rig, the caster will no longer be adjusted to OEM spec. OEM UCAs struggle to achieve proper alignment because they can only be adjusted to a certain extent. And they’re not set up for giving you correct caster. If you plan to have bigger tires, a body-mount chop and a viper cut will not be sufficient. The OEM UCA caster will max out, and you will not be able to move it forward enough to help prevent the tire from rubbing.
JBA standard arms restore proper caster range, offering 3-4.5 degrees of caster comfortably, giving you better handling on and off the road. Once installed, there is no need to adjust them further, set them and forget them. They have 3 degrees of built-in caster, allowing a tech to easily adjust alignment to spec. With the correct alignment, you’ll get better steering return-to-center and straight line stability.
2. Improved Ball Joint Angles For Everyday Driving
Stock ball joints operate at steeper angles when lifted due to aftermarket suspension. JBA’s ball joint design reduces binding at ride height by allowing the suspension to sit at a better angle. The ball joint is not at a severe high-stress angle, unlike the OEM one. This means less stress on your daily commutes because the UCAs have less trouble working. There’s also less impact from bumps and potholes.
JBA is the only company on the market with a 90-degree range of motion, allowing you to approach obstacles on the trails with ease. The ball joints are 100% enclosed, preventing any debris from entering and causing any premature wear and tear. This ultimately adds piece of mind for long term use.
3. Low Maintenance Compared To Alternatives
Unlike adjustable billet UCAs, you don’t have to worry about the adjuster nuts becoming loose or seizing, or the exposed heim or uniball joints. The ball joint on the JBA has no play, and there is no need to adjust once it is installed. You have way less parts to inspect and maintain regularly.
Simply install them, make sure they’re greased, and you’re good to go. No maintenance doesn’t really exist in the aftermarket world, but low maintenance certainly does. Just make sure you keep that ball joint and inner bushings greased at least every 5,000 miles. The cool part about JBA’s inner bushings is their patented EZ lube technology with ports. These ports help distribute grease, and any excess is released through the check valves. There is NO need to loosen the mounting bolts to release the grease pressure. Their ball joint is also cerakoted and super easy to replace. No pressing needed!
The JBA standard UCAs are ideal for owners who prefer to install parts without worrying about tweaking their settings or constantly maintaining them. You have the peace of mind of not having to worry about correcting any issues after a trail run, at least not as much as the guys running crazy setups. All components of these upper control arms are also replaceable, including the ball joint and the bushings. In the event of failure, instead of spending money on a whole new unit, you replace only the damaged parts.
The cherry on top is that JBA sends you a friendly email reminder that it is time to grease your UCAs again. That is the type of customer service we deserve, especially for those who have a lot going on and forget certain things that need to be done.
4. Better Ride Quality & Steering Feel
Increased caster improves on-road handling by restoring your alignment to spec. With the suspension geometry now fixed, suspension makes the most proper use out of travel, etc. There is no uneven tire wear, reduced wander, more predictable steering input, less wandering, and overall improved stability and cornering. This is especially noticeable on heavier rigs.
5. Off-Road Durability
The JBA UCAs are built for trails, not strictly for pavement princesses. They are built from high-quality American steel with a red powder-coated finish. All components are made using CNC machinery, ensuring precision in each piece. This makes them a great fit for overland-style builds, and the red finish adds a nice touch, making them stand apart from the competition. I have paired mine with red springs, and they complement each other nicely. The design of these UCAs also provides optimal clearance for larger, more aggressive tires, reducing the risk of rubbing on suspension components.
6. Cost-Effective Performance
A set of JBA UCAs costs just over $600. Compared to other brands, they are priced competitively and backed by a lifetime warranty and customer support. Other equivalent UCAs are still running $100-$200 more! For UCAs that are race-focused, you can expect to be in the $1K+ price range. Plus, those are overkill for daily drivers and weekend warriors, if were being honest.
Do not spend money on arms that come with features that you do not need or will ever need. Save that money for something else. The JBA ball joint replacement costs $72, and their bushings set is $67, reasonable prices compared to having to replace the whole arm.
Who These UCAs Are Best For
These are best suited for 4Runners that have a 2-3” lift. More basic setups, like the Bilstein 5100 or Eibach, would benefit from these UCAs. I regret not getting them from the get-go. I daily drive my rig, going back and forth to work, to pick up the kids at school, and to baseball practice. The rig is everywhere. I am the typical weekend warrior, hitting trails early in the morning before the family even wakes up. My last set kept failing prematurely. Lesson learned.
Prioritizing the UCAs is a must when upgrading your suspension or adding bigger tires. I am currently running 285/70/17 tires, and they required modifications to fit, especially after I added 1.25” spacers. OEM arms did not correct my alignment due to caster limitations. If you are investing in a lift, get aftermarket UCAs because, without them, you are not taking full advantage of your suspension setup. In addition, they provide comfort and reliability on the road.
If you want to learn more, check out this post… uniball vs. ball joint UCAs.
Final Thoughts
After installing my JBA Offroad standard UCAs, I have noticed significant improvements in my overall driving. From coasting at highway speeds, going over speed bumps, to having increased articulation through ruts on the trails. I have peace of mind knowing that I do not have to service them when they have been exposed to the elements, at least not very frequently. These are well worth it when you consider how much they save you in the long term by correcting your alignment and preserving your tires from uneven wear.
The market is saturated with UCAs now, but JBA Offroad stood out to me for its price, warranty, support, and customer reviews. They have been making upper control arms for over a decade now, and I have not come across a single bad review. You could say that they’ve perfected them. And to note, that’s ALL they do. That focus has clearly translated into a killer product.
