Total Chaos upper control arms, FJ Cruiser
09-07-2007, 04:31 PM
#1
Total Chaos upper control arms, FJ Cruiser
I am running the 2 to 3" OME lift.
I love the lift, it is much tighter than the stock soft suspension.
Only problem with a lifted rig is they can never quite get the caster right on the alignment.
Mine drives perfect in town, but once in awhile it seems to drift a bit on the freeway at 55 to 65 miles per hour, and I have a feeling it is due to the stock upper control arms.
Total Chaos claims to correct that.
The same UCAs are also for the 05-07 Toyota Tacoma, 03-07 4Runner, and of course the 07 FJ Cruiser.
Anyone running this setup with a lifted rig, and did it do as promised?
The same info (text, pics) I printed out and took to my dealer after work.
They can install it and are more than happy to mod the rig (they are one of the "good" dealers who dig mods and do not balk about it) and said it would be around 2.5 hours of labor.
I can then get it aligned right away or drive a few days to let them settle in.
So if you have TC's UCAs, did they do as promised?
Right now my rigs alignment is off a bit since they can not get it to factory settings, but TC claims with these UCAs you can.
http://www.chaosfab.com/96504.html
I love the lift, it is much tighter than the stock soft suspension.
Only problem with a lifted rig is they can never quite get the caster right on the alignment.
Mine drives perfect in town, but once in awhile it seems to drift a bit on the freeway at 55 to 65 miles per hour, and I have a feeling it is due to the stock upper control arms.
Total Chaos claims to correct that.
The same UCAs are also for the 05-07 Toyota Tacoma, 03-07 4Runner, and of course the 07 FJ Cruiser.
TC offers the replacement 6 lug Upper Control Arm system for your 2005+ Tacoma pickup, 2003-2007 4Runner and 2007 FJ Cruiser that upgrades the factory ball joint to a 1" Uniball and maintains a 100% bolt on application.
When aftermarket lifts are installed on these model vehicles the OEM suspension design looses caster.
By altering the factory caster, the vehicle will lose on road handling & performance and has a tendency to wander when driving down the road.
TC developed the UCAs to add caster to the suspension when aftermarket coil over shocks and other lifts are installed.
This will increases overall handling and aids in the alignment of the vehicle.
Built using all chromoly tubing and 1" Teflon lined Uniballs, these stock length upper control arms simply bolt to the existing factory a-arm location and pivot on urethane bushings.
TC has manufactured a press in spindle adapter and uses a 9/16" grade 8 bolt.
This complete kit includes heat treated hi-misalignment spacers and zinc plated end washers.
Zerk fittings are included in all pivots and the kit comes complete with hardware, urethane bushings, inner sleeves and install instructions.
When aftermarket lifts are installed on these model vehicles the OEM suspension design looses caster.
By altering the factory caster, the vehicle will lose on road handling & performance and has a tendency to wander when driving down the road.
TC developed the UCAs to add caster to the suspension when aftermarket coil over shocks and other lifts are installed.
This will increases overall handling and aids in the alignment of the vehicle.
Built using all chromoly tubing and 1" Teflon lined Uniballs, these stock length upper control arms simply bolt to the existing factory a-arm location and pivot on urethane bushings.
TC has manufactured a press in spindle adapter and uses a 9/16" grade 8 bolt.
This complete kit includes heat treated hi-misalignment spacers and zinc plated end washers.
Zerk fittings are included in all pivots and the kit comes complete with hardware, urethane bushings, inner sleeves and install instructions.
Anyone running this setup with a lifted rig, and did it do as promised?
The same info (text, pics) I printed out and took to my dealer after work.
They can install it and are more than happy to mod the rig (they are one of the "good" dealers who dig mods and do not balk about it) and said it would be around 2.5 hours of labor.
I can then get it aligned right away or drive a few days to let them settle in.
So if you have TC's UCAs, did they do as promised?
Right now my rigs alignment is off a bit since they can not get it to factory settings, but TC claims with these UCAs you can.
http://www.chaosfab.com/96504.html
09-07-2007, 04:51 PM
#3
You guy's have installed them on lifted rigs?
My dealer was very interested in these, as they sell the outfitted rigs they get customized locally with the OME lift, ARB bumper, Warn winch, and custom Pro Comp wheels and Pro Comp tires.
They said they need to get on top of this technical stuff since they are now selling the FJs a lot.
My dealer was very interested in these, as they sell the outfitted rigs they get customized locally with the OME lift, ARB bumper, Warn winch, and custom Pro Comp wheels and Pro Comp tires.
They said they need to get on top of this technical stuff since they are now selling the FJs a lot.
09-08-2007, 08:49 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Corey,
TCao has them on his rig and says they do improve everything. I bought Sol's used set, but have not installed them yet. Just lazy I guess. I will get them on before to long.
TCao has them on his rig and says they do improve everything. I bought Sol's used set, but have not installed them yet. Just lazy I guess. I will get them on before to long.
09-12-2007, 05:37 PM
#5
Registered User
I have them on my 2005 Tacoma and wouldn't get them if you don't need them. They squeak when the weather is hot and dry (cooler/humid weather and they are quiet), using the spray teflon lube makes it go away for a few days.
I am running 885's on my tacoma with no trim packers or top out spacer, so about 2" of lift, they added so much caster that my truck is now out of spec and has too much caster. I will be taking them off as soon as i decide whether I want to invest in new wheels or just wait until i need tires again and go down to a 285 instead of a 295.
I am running 885's on my tacoma with no trim packers or top out spacer, so about 2" of lift, they added so much caster that my truck is now out of spec and has too much caster. I will be taking them off as soon as i decide whether I want to invest in new wheels or just wait until i need tires again and go down to a 285 instead of a 295.
09-12-2007, 05:44 PM
#6
Contributing Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Surrey, BC, Canada
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Corey,
Nice timing with your post ... only yesterday I wrote to TC inquiring about the same set for my 2003 4Runner. My question was along these lines ... When only changing the upper arm, what effect, if any, does keeping the
OEM lower control arm have when the OEM suspension has been replaced with an OME suspension?
Nice timing with your post ... only yesterday I wrote to TC inquiring about the same set for my 2003 4Runner. My question was along these lines ... When only changing the upper arm, what effect, if any, does keeping the
OEM lower control arm have when the OEM suspension has been replaced with an OME suspension?
Trending Topics
09-26-2007, 03:37 PM
#8
Mine will be here this Friday.
Called my dealer, I am dropping my rig off after work Monday, and I will get a free loaner.
They will install the UCAs Tuesday, then send it to the alignment shop which is also at the dealer.
I will get the rig back Tuesday after work.
These are shipping with the Teflon grease needed to assemble them.
I will pick up a small grease gun and get some Teflon based grease to do the zerks on them myself.
The Express Lube at Toyota even offered to do the zerks for me everytime I bring in my rig for its 3K mile oil changes.
They do not use Teflon grease there when they lube the chassis, so I can let them use my gun or I can just do it at home.
When I talked to them yesterday, they assured me this will fix that wandering feeling when going down the highway at 55 to 60 which is due to an incorrect caster from the OME lift.
Should have pics up in my build-up thread by Wednesday before I hit the hay.
Also will relate how it drives on the highway.
Called my dealer, I am dropping my rig off after work Monday, and I will get a free loaner.
They will install the UCAs Tuesday, then send it to the alignment shop which is also at the dealer.
I will get the rig back Tuesday after work.
These are shipping with the Teflon grease needed to assemble them.
I will pick up a small grease gun and get some Teflon based grease to do the zerks on them myself.
The Express Lube at Toyota even offered to do the zerks for me everytime I bring in my rig for its 3K mile oil changes.
They do not use Teflon grease there when they lube the chassis, so I can let them use my gun or I can just do it at home.
When I talked to them yesterday, they assured me this will fix that wandering feeling when going down the highway at 55 to 60 which is due to an incorrect caster from the OME lift.
Should have pics up in my build-up thread by Wednesday before I hit the hay.
Also will relate how it drives on the highway.
09-28-2007, 02:46 PM
#9
Mmmmmmm, beef, its whats for dinner
You ought to see the red poly bushings, they look so sexy
I did not want to take everything out of the box, I want to keep it organized.
No more ball joints for me!
I was reading in another thread here that someone with a 2nd gen 4Runner I think had a ball joint issue.
I bet they make these for that year too.
You ought to see the red poly bushings, they look so sexy
I did not want to take everything out of the box, I want to keep it organized.
No more ball joints for me!
I was reading in another thread here that someone with a 2nd gen 4Runner I think had a ball joint issue.
I bet they make these for that year too.
09-29-2007, 12:08 PM
#11
Allen, I bought them directly from Chaos Fab.
http://www.chaosfab.com/contact.html
They also have resellers that may be closer to you.
http://www.chaosfab.com/dealers.html
Mine came quick via UPS ground though.
Ordered them early in the week, and they were here by 4 PM Friday.
Looks like your OME setup is similar to mine, so these should help.
http://www.chaosfab.com/contact.html
They also have resellers that may be closer to you.
http://www.chaosfab.com/dealers.html
Mine came quick via UPS ground though.
Ordered them early in the week, and they were here by 4 PM Friday.
Looks like your OME setup is similar to mine, so these should help.
11-08-2007, 01:27 PM
#14
Still very happy with them.
Been doing lots of research into the proper lubing of them.
The uniballs themselves do not need to be lubed.
Other brands of upper control arms need to be lubed, but not the Total Chaos ones.
In fact it may attract dirt which would not be a benefit.
If you do feel the need to do it, a lube like Tri-Flow dry lube with graphite works good.
Now the poly bushings do need to be lubed, and of course there are zirk fittings on them to lube.
I talked with Total Chaos, and you can use a general lube, even the same lube when you go to the dealership if you have them change your oil and grease your fittings on your FJ.
But the best thing to use is:
Grease gun: $9.99
3oz Super Lube Cartridge: $5.38
I placed an order for one gun and two cartridges.
I will lube them every 3K miles when the oil gets changed.
Been doing lots of research into the proper lubing of them.
The uniballs themselves do not need to be lubed.
Other brands of upper control arms need to be lubed, but not the Total Chaos ones.
In fact it may attract dirt which would not be a benefit.
If you do feel the need to do it, a lube like Tri-Flow dry lube with graphite works good.
Now the poly bushings do need to be lubed, and of course there are zirk fittings on them to lube.
I talked with Total Chaos, and you can use a general lube, even the same lube when you go to the dealership if you have them change your oil and grease your fittings on your FJ.
But the best thing to use is:
Grease gun: $9.99
3oz Super Lube Cartridge: $5.38
I placed an order for one gun and two cartridges.
I will lube them every 3K miles when the oil gets changed.
11-08-2007, 01:57 PM
#16
From what I have been reading, this is true about the quality.
Mine have not squeaked one bit since they were put on, I have read that competitors UCAs squeak, and need to have the uniballs sprayed once a week or more often.
Mine have not squeaked one bit since they were put on, I have read that competitors UCAs squeak, and need to have the uniballs sprayed once a week or more often.
11-08-2007, 02:10 PM
#18
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
very interesting corey... may look into this myself...
edit: just checked out the site thanks for the link... probably not going to do this one I'm not into widening the track or having to use custom fenders... nice looking kit though...
edit: just checked out the site thanks for the link... probably not going to do this one I'm not into widening the track or having to use custom fenders... nice looking kit though...
Last edited by aviator; 11-08-2007 at 02:17 PM.
11-08-2007, 02:41 PM
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UCA's from TotalChaos Don't require the full LT kit to work such as lowers, glass and on and on. They also allow more room for certain wheel/tire combos to prevent rubbing.
These are sick (Donahoe Racing). So cheap they make great paperweights too.
These are sick (Donahoe Racing). So cheap they make great paperweights too.
11-08-2007, 03:27 PM
#20
Aviator, yeah, they have different ones, but the ones that are a kit with lowers probably require glass fenders.
They carry them for the FJ too, but it is not something I need.
The uppers cured my ailment.
