Short lived lower ball joint - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Skulking · 04-12-2021, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cl4Rk

Pretty sure if they figure this out, almost everyone here would eventually buy them...

You would think until you see the price. I get that they are putting a lot of R&D money into it, but at $2500, they are going to be significantly limiting their target market.

cl4Rk · 04-12-2021, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skulking

You would think until you see the price. I get that they are putting a lot of R&D money into it, but at $2500, they are going to be significantly limiting their target market.

Ahh... yeah, I didn't see the price. That's too much. For $2500, you could replace your LBJs every single year for the next 9 years.

spartacus · 04-12-2021, 05:33 PM

Ideally a long travel kit could be the answer. Solo, chaos and others around 4k. Adding the tundra axles, LT shocks, bump stops, brake lines, shackles, fenders etc all adds up to a hefty investment. Not to mention updating the rear end. In the mean time keep replacing lbjs it is' what it is.

jross20 · 04-12-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cl4Rk

Pretty sure if they figure this out, almost everyone here would eventually buy them...

That's an instant buy if it is indeed better.

But, back to OP:

Honestly my personal schedule is to swap them ever 50k miles. It's just not worth the risk especially with the low cost.

jross20 · 04-12-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skulking

You would think until you see the price. I get that they are putting a lot of R&D money into it, but at $2500, they are going to be significantly limiting their target market.

$2500.....?

That can't be right

Skulking · 04-12-2021, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jross20

$2500.....?

That can't be right

If you look at the drawings and read the description carefully, you'll see that it isn't a replacement LBJ. It's a replacement LCA/ LBJ combination. With that in mind, and knowing that they seem to be targeting hardcore off-roaders who are willing to pay big money for small improvements, I don't think the pricing is a mistake.

jross20 · 04-12-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skulking

If you look at the drawings and read the description carefully, you'll see that it isn't a replacement LBJ. It's a replacement LCA/ LBJ combination. With that in mind, and knowing that they seem to be targeting hardcore off-roaders who are willing to pay big money for small improvements, I don't think the pricing is a mistake.

But if you're a hardcore guy and you're okay with spending that much... Why not just go long travel? Maybe it's just me but it seems odd haha

Devbot · 04-12-2021, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skulking

You would think until you see the price. I get that they are putting a lot of R&D money into it, but at $2500, they are going to be significantly limiting their target market.

Because they're reinforced arms that would directly compete with people like Total Chaos. These are definitely for the long travel folks.
With that said I'm almost baffled at this point nobody else has bothered to try and integrate them (like the vast majority of other vehicles.) Well I think Mevotech has but I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jross20

But if you're a hardcore guy and you're okay with spending that much... Why not just go long travel? Maybe it's just me but it seems odd haha

Or SAS. Never understood why someone would want LTIFS over solid axle.

wnc4runner · 04-13-2021, 10:35 AM

Any suggestions for LBJ for a weekend toy that is mainly driven on roads and forest service roads/fire roads with minimal four-wheeling and nothing crazy?

I know most people are a fan of OEM's, but I'm looking at something that will last for ~40k miles or so.

thatoneguy · 04-13-2021, 12:34 PM

It's a shame that OEM quality is going down. I got my LBJ's done for peace of mind 5k ago. I just want them to last another 10-15k before I sell it for a new one.

spartacus · 04-13-2021, 02:04 PM

I wouldn't condemned the oem ball joints just because of a few intances. Mine have 3 years and 30k still solid. My last set lasted well over 100K.

Bad Luck · 04-13-2021, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnc4runner

Any suggestions for LBJ for a weekend toy that is mainly driven on roads and forest service roads/fire roads with minimal four-wheeling and nothing crazy?

I know most people are a fan of OEM's, but I'm looking at something that will last for ~40k miles or so.

I would still recommend OEM LBJ's for that terrain and mileage. I've seen Moog, 555, and others fail way before that. I've also seen them last longer, but OEM consistently lasts longer than that with the terrain you are conquering.

T4topher · 04-14-2021, 10:20 AM

I’ve seen a company that cuts out the ball joint from the LBJ and welds in a uni ball.. looks interesting but expensive I’m sure.

TonyB66 · 04-14-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4topher

I’ve seen a company that cuts out the ball joint from the LBJ and welds in a uni ball.. looks interesting but expensive I’m sure.

I was wondering about just that... Thanks. I imagine it would be somewhat less than $2,500 though. Nice to have options...

2001 Limited 285K · 04-14-2021, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnc4runner

.... I'm looking at something that will last for ~40k miles or so.

40K miles seems like a low expectation. I'm at 286K miles and am installing my 3rd OEM set tomorrow. Out of an abundance of caution more than anything else.

Of course, I'm strictly a daily driver. No off road whatsoever and very limited use of the 4WD. Plus I only drive about 10K miles a year with Covid in effect.

As a general note ... right side OEMs are apparently hard to get in the states at the moment but there are about 400 of them in transit from Japan.

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