Toyota Tacoma suspension buyers guide from AccuTune Offroad

Upper Control Arm options for 2nd and 3rd Gen Toyota Tacomas

Below is a comparison of all the Tacoma upper control arms available from AccuTune Offroad. Each setup offers its own unique features—some subtle, some significant—that may influence which is best for your build. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you choose the ideal Tacoma suspension lift kit based on your needs, budget, and driving style.

Front upper control arm for 05-23 Toyota Tacoma from AccuTune Offroad. This UCA is a tubular steel design with an all metal ball joint. These control arms are durable and built to fit large off-road tires.

AccuTune Offroad Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Heavy-duty tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • Sealed, adjustable ¾” FK heims at the frame pivot for superior articulation and long-term durability
  • Premium, fully greasable steel ball joint with rubber boot for added protection, low maintenance, and extended service life
  • Pre-assembled for fast, hassle-free installation
  • Moves tire forward to fit 285/70R17 without cab mount chop
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap
  • Proudly made in the USA

Summary:
A high performance upper control arm for serious Tacoma owners seeking maximum strength, adjustability, and clearance—ready to install and made in the USA. Built tougher than most, it’s engineered to fit 33″ tires with no cab mount chop required.

Tacoma SPC front upper control arms

SPC Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Tubular steel construction with durable powder coat finish
  • xAxis sealed flex joints at frame pivot for quiet, low-maintenance operation
  • Adjustable, greasable ball joint for extended service life
  • Minor assembly required before installation
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap

Summary:
SPC upper control arms deliver solid performance and adjustability at a budget-friendly price. A great choice for daily drivers and moderate off-road builds.

Dirt King 4130 tubular upper control arm for Toyota Tacoma. These steel upper control arms inclue Probearing ball joint and Silentspin bushings.

Dirt King Tubular Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • SilentSpin™ bushings — no squeaks or maintenance
  • Pro 4 ball joints with sealed dust caps
  • Pre-assembled for quick and easy installation
  • Includes new upper control arm bolts

Summary:
A perfect choice for drivers seeking a smooth, OE-like ride with improved articulation. This reliable mid-range option excels in daily driving and light to moderate off-road conditions.

Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2005 & UP Delta Joint UCA

Icon Tubular Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • Urethane bushings at the frame pivot for quiet, factory-like ride quality
  • Delta Joint Pro ball joint offers excellent articulation and long-term durability
  • Pre-assembled for quick and easy installation
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap

Summary:
An ideal option for those who want a smooth, OE-style ride with upgraded articulation. A reliable mid-range choice for daily driving and light to moderate off-road use.

Pair of aluminum Tacoma upper control arms from Icon

Icon Billet Aluminum Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Billet aluminum construction for strength and reduced weight
  • ¾” FK heim joints at the frame pivot for maximum articulation
  • Delta Joint ball joint for durability and performance
  • Pre-assembled and ready to install
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap

Summary:
A premium option built for high performance and standout looks. Ideal for high-end or show builds where billet styling and FK heims are a must.

Camburg Tacoma upper control arm. Tubular design with uniball

Camburg Tubular Steel Uniball Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • Poly bushings at the frame pivot for reliability and ease of maintenance
  • 1.25” uniball provides increased strength and improved range of motion.
  • Assembly required before installation
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap

Summary:
Camburg’s tubular upper control arms are a trusted solution for off-road performance, offering greater travel and durability over stock arms. Built with a proven uniball design, they’re a solid upgrade for trail-ready rigs.

Camburg Tacoma upper control arm kit. Tubular steel design with bushings and ball joints.

Camburg Tubular Steel Ball Joint Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • Tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • Poly bushings at the frame pivot for reliability and ease of maintenance
  • Greasable X-Joint XL ball-joints pre-installed
  • Assembly required before installation
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap

Summary:
Camburg’s tubular upper control arms are a reliable upgrade for off-road performance, delivering superior durability compared to stock arms. The Camburg X-Joint XL enhances strength and longevity while accommodating high misalignment for maximum wheel travel. This larger X-Joint XL is an extreme-performance, all-weather ball joint designed to handle the toughest conditions and highest angles.

Camburg Aluminum Tacoma upper control arm with uniball and heim joints

Camburg KINETIK Series Aluminum Tacoma Upper Control Arms

  • CNC-machined from billet aluminum for superior strength and precision
    Adjustable ¾” FK heim joints at the frame pivot for enhanced articulation
  • Durable 1.25” uniball bearing for smooth, reliable performance
  • Available in Gray, Red, Gold, and Blue to match your style
  • Requires assembly
  • Includes aluminum ball joint cap for added protection

Summary:
Designed for Tacoma owners seeking a blend of custom style and professional-grade off-road capability, these billet upper control arms deliver both standout looks and rugged performance. A top choice for serious off-road enthusiasts and show-quality builds alike.

Total Chaos Tacoma upper control arms. Tubular steel with bushings and uniball

Total Chaos Tubular Steel Tacoma Upper Control Arms with Bushings

  • Durable tubular steel construction with a protective powder coat finish
  • Polyurethane bushings at the frame pivot for improved durability and reduced flex
  • Strong 1.25” uniball bearing for enhanced articulation
  • Assembly required

Summary:
Total Chaos is a trusted name in off-road performance. These upper control arms are engineered for aggressive trail riding and lifted setups, delivering the strength and reliability serious off-roaders demand.

Total Chaos Tacoma upper control arm. Tubular steel design with heim joints and uniball

Total Chaos Tubular Steel Tacoma Upper Control Arms with Heim Joints

  • Robust tubular steel construction with a durable powder coat finish
  • Polyurethane bushings at the frame pivot for enhanced durability and minimized flex
  • Heavy-duty ¾” chromoly heim joints providing strength and precise adjustability
  • Assembly required

Summary:
Total Chaos is a respected leader in off-road performance. These upper control arms with adjustable heim joints are built for aggressive desert driving, offering the strength and dependability that serious off-roaders rely on.

Front upper control arm ball joints and uniballs.

Wheel pivots vary in durability and appearance:

  • Sealed ball joints last the longest with the least maintenance.
  • Unsealed ball joints offer better durability than uniballs.
  • Uniballs look great but they can wear out quicker than ball joints.
Tacoma upper control arm bushings and heim joints

Chassis pivots come in three main types:

  • Bushings last the longest for normal use, but lack the flashy appearance of heim joints.
  • Sealed heims still look sharp and are adjustable, with better durability than unsealed heim joints.
  • Unsealed heims offer adjustability, strength and a sleek look but have a shorter lifespan than bushings or unsealed heim joints.
Tacoma upper control arm diagram showing chassis pivot joint and chassis pivot point.

Final Thoughts

When choosing the best Tacoma upper control arms, it’s important to consider both wheel and chassis pivot types. For wheel pivots, sealed ball joints offer the best longevity and lowest maintenance, while unsealed ball joints provide better durability than uniballs. Uniballs, though visually appealing and very strong, tend to wear out more quickly. At the chassis side, bushings are usually the most durable for everyday use but lack the aggressive look of heim joints and tend to lack adjustability. Sealed heim joints strike a balance between durability, adjustability, and appearance, while unsealed heims provide maximum strength and a sleek look but have the shortest lifespan of the three.

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