Nitro Upper Control Arms

[Ma son]

So funny I was just trying to figure this same thing out thanks for posting up your experience. I will probably need to replace my old style Nitro UCAs soon and have been looking at the Blackhawk/Dobinson/Nitro option. I reached out to Mill Creek Overland who is a US supplier of the Blackhawk units and he wasn’t totally sure since he said they haven’t yet had to replace a ball joint in their shop on these arms (good sign), but he though it was the 100/200/GX unit which reassured me since it’s probably a better part than what’s in the Tundras. FYI the Blackhawk units are super cheap compared to Nitro and especially to Dobinson.

Black Hawk 4x4 Upper Control Arm (Land Cruiser 100 Series)

The Black Hawk 4x4 upper control arm is made from high-grade steel and featuring a durable finish, it offers superior durability with superior handling. Enjoy greater stability and responsiveness when you upgrade your 4x4 with the Black Hawk Upper Control Arm. UCA3841H fits Land Cruisers...

millcreekoverland.com

I think Nitros are even cheaper than the Blackhawks right now on Bumper Superstore. I guess its nice to just but whatevers cheapest if theyre all the same. Nitro Gear & Axle NPUCA-TLC100 Extended Travel Ball Joint Style and Upper Control Arms for Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2007 | Bumper Superstore - https://bumpersuperstore.com/i-23979338-nitro-gear-axle-npuca-tlc100-extended-travel-ball-joint-style-and-upper-control-arms-for-toyota-land-cruiser-1998-2007.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADs9UCdL3IQAkL1TVhOTN1hL3KCyr

 

[Ma son]

Turns out Nitro and Dobinsons arent exactly the same….

Nitro

Dobinsons

 

[hoser]

Could be a matter of different production periods.

 

[Ma son]

Could be a matter of different production periods.

I suppose. Bushings, tube diameter and ball joint are all different. Basic design is the same

 

[GerLC100]

Magna Steyr produces cars for Peugot, BMW, Jaguar, Toyota and others in the same location.
LGIT manufactures cameras for Samsung, Apple, Tesla, German brands partially in the same factories.

All that doesn't mean it's the same as they typically manufacture based on the customers requirements See the same comments for winches and other parts where people say "made in the same factory in China"....

 

[dividedan]

@Ma son did you end up bailing on the Nitro arms for the Dobinson's? I'm trying to figure out what to order for my truck between Nitro, Dobinson, SPC, and OEM and am totally stuck. The cost of Dobinson doesn't seem worth it since SPC is only a couple hundred more and gives a lot more adjustability. Did you have a premature failure of the Nitro ball joint?

 

[Ma son]

@Ma son did you end up bailing on the Nitro arms for the Dobinson's? I'm trying to figure out what to order for my truck between Nitro, Dobinson, SPC, and OEM and am totally stuck. The cost of Dobinson doesn't seem worth it since SPC is only a couple hundred more and gives a lot more adjustability. Did you have a premature failure of the Nitro ball joint?

I did. For twice the price, I'm not sure its worth the money to go with Dobinsons. I switched because I dont want to give Nitro or DPI my money ever again. Plus, I can get 555 ball joints from Cruiser Outfitters to my door in 2 days. No more greasing ball joints either. Personally, I'd go with either Nitro or Dobinsons depending on what you can afford. I chose not to go with SPC because of price and questionable ball joint longevity. I cannot think of any reason you would need the additional adjustability the SPC arms provide. We arent doing massive lifts on these rigs. You can get the vehicle properly aligned using any of the tubular UCAs with 3degrees of caster built in.

The only failure I had with the Nitros was the boot. They didnt sell the boots alone and I had been driving offroad alot with the exposed joint and decided it would be smart to replace. The other arm's BJ was untorn and still seemed to be in great shape when I removed it to replace the arms. I definitely don't think they are bad arms, Nitro and DPI just suck as a company.

 

[jLB]

I’ve got one with older Nitro UCAs (urethane bushings, & ball joint), one with older SPC UCAs, and one with Trail Tailor UCAs. All of the options that I have are roughly equivalent.

Between Nitro & Dobinsons, I’d lean Dobinsons,mainly due to level of service.

SPC is the most adjustable, but with the limited amount of lift available, I question if it is actually necessary.

@TRAIL TAILOR UCAs are not a stock item, but I believe that Jason does do batches every now and then. Of the different UCA options that I’ve had, these are my favorite. I have 2 spare sets, just waiting for the next time I have to tear into the suspension of the SPC and/or Nitro vehicles.

I switched because I dont want to give Nitro or DPI my money ever again.

Couldn’t agree more, mainly for orphaning the UCAs that I have, with no apparent source for replacement bushings.

 

[dividedan]

I’ve got one with older Nitro UCAs (urethane bushings, & ball joint), one with older SPC UCAs, and one with Trail Tailor UCAs. All of the options that I have are roughly equivalent.

Between Nitro & Dobinsons, I’d lean Dobinsons,mainly due to level of service.

SPC is the most adjustable, but with the limited amount of lift available, I question if it is actually necessary.

@TRAIL TAILOR UCAs are not a stock item, but I believe that Jason does do batches every now and then. Of the different UCA options that I’ve had, these are my favorite. I have 2 spare sets, just waiting for the next time I have to tear into the suspension of the SPC and/or Nitro vehicles.


Couldn’t agree more, mainly for orphaning the UCAs that I have, with no apparent source for replacement bushings.

Thanks for your input. Nitros are on crazy sale right now and since their BJs and bushings are OEM size I'm not thinking we'll likely need help from Nitro in the future on this. However the Blackhawk UCAs which should be very similar if not identical to Dobinson/Nitro are only a little more expensive from Mill Creek Overland who so far has been great at answering my questions so that may be the best of all worlds. $300 cheaper than Dobinson.

I always try and take the "buy once cry once" approach to most things, but not when I can't see a clear reason for the higher cost.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I’ve got one with older Nitro UCAs (urethane bushings, & ball joint), one with older SPC UCAs, and one with Trail Tailor UCAs. All of the options that I have are roughly equivalent.

Between Nitro & Dobinsons, I’d lean Dobinsons,mainly due to level of service.

SPC is the most adjustable, but with the limited amount of lift available, I question if it is actually necessary.

@TRAIL TAILOR UCAs are not a stock item, but I believe that Jason does do batches every now and then. Of the different UCA options that I’ve had, these are my favorite. I have 2 spare sets, just waiting for the next time I have to tear into the suspension of the SPC and/or Nitro vehicles.


Couldn’t agree more, mainly for orphaning the UCAs that I have, with no apparent source for replacement bushings.

Thank you,

I have a batch in the works now.

Jason
TT

 

[Ma son]

Thanks for your input. Nitros are on crazy sale right now and since their BJs and bushings are OEM size I'm not thinking we'll likely need help from Nitro in the future on this. However the Blackhawk UCAs which should be very similar if not identical to Dobinson/Nitro are only a little more expensive from Mill Creek Overland who so far has been great at answering my questions so that may be the best of all worlds. $300 cheaper than Dobinson.

I always try and take the "buy once cry once" approach to most things, but not when I can't see a clear reason for the higher cost.

Blackhawk and Nitro are the same. Buy whichever is cheaper if thats the route youre going to go!

 

[dividedan]

Thank you,

I have a batch in the works now.

Jason
TT

When will these be ready Jason? I'm not in a huge rush but want to get my front end work done before wheeling season is in full swing. Would MUCH rather give you my money than any of these other companies. Also does your arm also have the 3 degree extra caster built in?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Looking at 6-8 week lead currently. I have 16 sets promised and a 20 set batch this run.

3 degrees built in. Most are coming out of alignment shops with 2.5-3.5 correction with 2-3" lifts.

My arms are 100% rebuildable by me or secondary USA suppliers as well.

Jason

 

[jLB]

.

 

[Zuks10]

I did. For twice the price, I'm not sure its worth the money to go with Dobinsons. I switched because I dont want to give Nitro or DPI my money ever again. Plus, I can get 555 ball joints from Cruiser Outfitters to my door in 2 days. No more greasing ball joints either. Personally, I'd go with either Nitro or Dobinsons depending on what you can afford. I chose not to go with SPC because of price and questionable ball joint longevity. I cannot think of any reason you would need the additional adjustability the SPC arms provide. We arent doing massive lifts on these rigs. You can get the vehicle properly aligned using any of the tubular UCAs with 3degrees of caster built in.

The only failure I had with the Nitros was the boot. They didnt sell the boots alone and I had been driving offroad alot with the exposed joint and decided it would be smart to replace. The other arm's BJ was untorn and still seemed to be in great shape when I removed it to replace the arms. I definitely don't think they are bad arms, Nitro and DPI just suck as a company.

Hey there,

Thank you for doing all this research on the nitro upper control arms. I’ve had my second ball joint go out on them. Just to confirm, the 555 ball joint on cruiser outfitters fits the nitro UCA?

Thank you in advance,

Mark

 

[Zuks10]

Hey guys,


Just an update. The 555 ball joint fits the nitrogear control arm.

Mark

 

[Goslow]

Hello. I did not see any comments about OME UCAs and BJs in this thread. Why is that? Thanks in advance.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Hey there,

Thank you for doing all this research on the nitro upper control arms. I’ve had my second ball joint go out on them. Just to confirm, the 555 ball joint on cruiser outfitters fits the nitro UCA?

Thank you in advance,

Mark

Nitro upper arm ball joints (old and newish style) are 2010 Tundra joints.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hello. I did not see any comments about OME UCAs and BJs in this thread. Why is that? Thanks in advance.

The Old Man Emu offerings (UCA00010) are much newer than this thread, they only started offering them for the 100/470 in late 2023 if my memory serves me. We have sold and installed dozens of sets of them @ Cruiser Outfitters, we keep them on the shelf if you're after a set. We stock all the spares for those as well.

Fwiw, for the 100/470 specifically, we stock the Old Man Emu, Dobinsons, OEM Toyota, Japanese Stock, Import Stock, SuperPro OEM+, and possibly another one or two I'm not remembering. Lootttttttts of options on the shelf

 

[Zuks10]

Hello. I did not see any comments about OME UCAs and BJs in this thread. Why is that? Thanks in advance.

The OME UCAs are new compared to the other brands. They probably came out in the last year or so…