2024 Toyota Tacoma Steel Upper Control Arms: What They Fix and What They Fit
If you have lifted your 2024 Toyota Tacoma or are planning to, your OEM upper control arms are already working against you. The factory UCAs were not designed to maintain proper alignment geometry once ride height changes — and the result is a truck that wanders on the highway and wears tires unevenly.
The Ride Shocks Steel Tubular Upper Control Arms are built specifically for the 2024+ Tacoma to fix that problem. This guide covers what these UCAs actually do, the specific hardware that makes them work, and when you need them.
What Upper Control Arms Actually Fix on a Lifted 2024 Tacoma
They are a geometry correction. When you lift a Tacoma, the OEM UCAs pull caster and camber outside of spec. That misalignment causes two very noticeable problems: the vehicle wanders on the road, and tires wear unevenly and prematurely.
The Ride Shocks UCA is required to properly align a lifted Tacoma, fit bigger tires and handle the additional travel provided by off-road suspension.
Aftermarket UCAs correct this by moving the upper ball joint to a position that returns alignment to OEM specifications at your lifted ride height. The UCA also controls the tire placement in the fender. If you want bigger tires the UCA needs to be designed accordingly. Without them, you cannot properly align a lifted Tacoma regardless of how much time your alignment shop spends trying.
Fitment: What This UCA Supports
The Ride Shocks UCA is designed for the 2024+ Toyota Tacoma and built with large tire fitment in mind. UCAs control where in the fender your tire lands — this is why UCA geometry is inseparable from tire clearance on a lifted truck.
Tire clearance:
- Designed to accommodate 35″ tires
- Tire intrusion bracket and mud flap and body metal trimming may be required depending on specific wheel and tire offset combination
- AccuTune Offroad’s own Tacoma runs 35s without trimming the body metal, but achieving this requires a specific wheel/tire combo in addition to the modifications noted above. Manufacturing tolerances and alignment variances mean your truck may require trimming.
Shock compatibility:
- Works with most aftermarket shocks
- Designed with proper hose clearance for shock reservoirs
Important: UCAs alone do not guarantee 35″ tire clearance. You also need shocks with the correct compressed length.
Wheel Pivot: All-Metal Sealed Ball Joint
The OEM upper ball joint uses plastic races — a cost-saving design choice that limits durability under load and is not serviceable. The Ride Shocks UCA replaces this with a fully metal ball joint that is both stronger and greaseable.
| OEM Ball Joint | Ride Shocks Ball Joint | |
| Construction | Ball joint with plastic races | All-metal construction |
| Maintenance | Sealed, not greaseable | Sealed for life; can be greased to extend life |
| Performance under load | Wears faster under heavy loads | Better performance under heavy loads |
| Dirt protection | Completely sealed to keep dirt out | Completely sealed to keep dirt out |
| Repairability | Replace entire unit | Greaseable to extend service life |
While the UCA’s are greasable, doing so is optional — the ball joint is sealed for life and requires no maintenance. However, periodic greasing is recommended as it extends the service life of the joint, particularly for builds running in mud, sand, or water crossings.
Frame Pivot: Bushing Design for Comfort and Longevity
The frame pivot uses one piece urethane bushings. This is to improve performance and overall handling with an aftermarket shock package. The bushings have an increased stiffness for handling and free rotation in order to allow the suspension to be the main point of movement, instead of fighting against the softer OEM style bushings.
Bushing pivot characteristics:
- Ride quality: Bushings allow for compliant, comfortable feel and do not transmit road noise the way heim joints do
- Maintenance: Coincides with shock service schedule (roughly 50,000 miles)
- NVH: Quiet in operation — no clunking or feedback from the pivot
- Serviceability: Replaceable if worn, without replacing the entire arm
Frame Pivot: Bushing Design for Comfort and Longevity
The frame pivot uses bushings rather than rod ends or heim joints. This is a deliberate choice that prioritizes ride quality and everyday usability over maximum articulation — which is the right tradeoff for a truck that sees mixed street and trail use.
Bushing pivot characteristics:
- Ride quality: Bushings allow for compliant, comfortable feel and do not transmit road noise the way heim joints do
- Maintenance: Greased for life, no ongoing service required
- NVH: Quiet in operation — no clunking or feedback from the pivot
- Serviceability: Replaceable if worn, without replacing the entire arm
Material and Construction: 1.5″ DOM Tubing with Powder Coat Finish
Construction details:
- Tubing: Domestically sourced, high grade 1.5″ OD x .120” wall DOM steel — strong, consistent wall thickness, designed for long-lasting structural integrity
- Finish: Powder coat — provides durable, long-lasting corrosion protection
- Ball joint cap: Anodized aluminum — lightweight, corrosion-resistant cap for the ball joint housing
- Overall design intent: Long-lasting construction and finish for the life of the build
What You Actually Need to Run 35″ Tires on a 2024 Tacoma
The UCA is one of two components that must work together to run 35″ tires on a lifted 2024 Tacoma. Installing just the UCA without addressing the other two will not get you there.
| Component | Why It’s Required |
| Upper control arms (this UCA) | Controls where the tire lands in the fender; must be designed for 35″ fitment |
| Shocks with correct compressed length | If the shock compressed length is too short, the tire will contact the fender before the bump stop engages |
Tire intrusion bracket modification, body metal trimming and mud flap trimming may also be required depending on your specific wheel offset and tire width.
FAQ: 2024 Tacoma Upper Control Arms
What does the Ride Shocks UCA part number cover?
This control arm is a steel tubular upper control arm with ball joints and bushing pivots, designed for the 2024+ Toyota Tacoma.
Do I need upper control arms when lifting my 2024 Tacoma?
Yes, if you want proper alignment. OEM UCAs have insufficient caster and incorrect camber when the Tacoma is lifted. This causes highway wandering and uneven tire wear. Aftermarket UCAs return alignment to OEM specifications at your lifted ride height.
Will these UCAs fit 35″ tires?
They are designed with 35″ tires in mind. However, achieving 35″ clearance also requires shocks with the correct compressed length and the correct bump stop height. Tire intrusion bracket modification and mud flap trimming may be required depending on your wheel and tire offset combination.
What kind of ball joint does the Ride Shocks UCA use?
An all-metal sealed ball joint — significantly stronger than the OEM plastic-race ball joint. It is sealed for life and requires no maintenance, but can be greased to extend service life. Fully sealed against dirt and debris.
Do these UCAs work with aftermarket shocks?
Yes. The Ride Shocks UCA is designed for proper hose clearance with aftermarket shocks. It is compatible with Ride Shocks, Fox, King, and other aftermarket shock options that have the correct compressed length for 35″ tire fitment.