[Koko4]

I'm about to do my LBJ's when I get back home from this work trip (OEM only - I know), but I am not thoroughly convinced that it's absolutely necessary to go the OEM route for the inner and outer tie rod ends. I have a lifetime alignment from Firestone, so getting it re-aligned if I ever have to go back and re-replace it won't be a huge issue.

The goal is not to spend $120/side for inner OEM tie rod ends.

I want something strong, because I do have a 3" lift and slightly oversized tires (265/16's). I do go offroading, but I try not to beat up on it TOO bad.

Is MOOG a good brand to go with for the inners/outers? I'm looking around on RockAuto and the only brand names I recognize are MOOG and ACDelco.

I know AutoZone has the Limited Lifetime replacements on theirs (Duralast), and I'm guessing they are remanufactured 555's (at least for the outers).

Any suggestions? Right now I'm leaning towards MOOG because they are $30/ea on RockAuto and MOOG is supposed to be a pretty good brand. I'm thinking it won't be completely imperative to go the OEM route because this is not a potentially catastrophic part...

[Neil_R]

I bought the NAPA Premiums that have the lifetime warranty, they appeared to be of good quality. I didn't get the Sankei 555 branded ones from NAPA because they were more expensive and didn't have a lifetime warranty.

I havent put a ton of miles on them yet but I do wheel and I have had no issues.

[Koko4]

I just ordered MOOG inners / outers from Amazon, along with an Energy Suspension Steering Rack bushings. I might as well tackle everything in the area while I'm down there. All of that was $160 shipped, so that's not too bad. I'll let you know how it improves the front end steering. Funny how a LBJ job can turn into LBJ, TRE's, and rack bushings so quickly!

[RAD4Runner]

OEM for parts that could mean life, death, serious injury or serous damage to vehicle. Well- worth i.

[kgbdonkey]

I got the Japan made replacement one from low range offroad. $30 per inner.

[Ol'Blue]

I'm running the 555 from NAPA. The quality is very good. I honestly like them better than OE.

Blue

[amalik]

OP, you should stick to OEM when possible. The OEM OTRE's are not very expensive; just the ITRE's.

This topic was just discussed in another thread:

Should I replace ITREs?

I believe the above thread also indicates the Duralast ITRE are the 555 from Japan; and have the lifetime warranty.

Note that if you flex a lot, aftermarket ITRE's will damage the steering rack. JayRolla posted some details in the thread I pasted above.

Originally Posted by RAD4Runner

OEM for parts that could mean life, death, serious injury or serous damage to vehicle. Well- worth i.

LBJ, yes -- but not tie rods.

Originally Posted by kgbdonkey

I got the Japan made replacement one from low range offroad. $30 per inner.

Any warranty?

[ShooterMcGavin]

This thread might give you some input: Should I replace ITREs?

ETA: Oops, I see it was just mentioned above

[Koko4]

Thanks for the links - I had read the comment by JayRolla before about the droop angle. The MOOG's have already shipped (inners and outers), so I will let you guys know how / if they fail. I'm hoping to get some good use out of them, but I DO go offroading a good bit, so I hope they don't negatively affect my steering rack. We will see - only time will tell, I suppose! Couldn't justify the $120/ea for inners, when the MOOG's were $35/ea. However, the outers I could have justified..but I went MOOG with that as well. Cross your fingers for me!

[gamefreakgc]

Hope the MOOGs work out for you... I have not heard good things about them. But maybe they will work fine on your rig!

[Gulah]

Originally Posted by Koko4

Thanks for the links - I had read the comment by JayRolla before about the droop angle. The MOOG's have already shipped (inners and outers), so I will let you guys know how / if they fail. I'm hoping to get some good use out of them, but I DO go offroading a good bit, so I hope they don't negatively affect my steering rack. We will see - only time will tell, I suppose! Couldn't justify the $120/ea for inners, when the MOOG's were $35/ea. However, the outers I could have justified..but I went MOOG with that as well. Cross your fingers for me!

How are those Moog inners working out for you? Have you ridden them hard? Thanks.

[Koko4]

Originally Posted by Gulah

How are those Moog inners working out for you? Have you ridden them hard? Thanks.

Hey, they've held up just fine, although I've got to admit I haven't been offroading as hard / as much as I intended to, so I may not be the best case study.

[Gulah]

Originally Posted by Koko4

Hey, they've held up just fine, although I've got to admit I haven't been offroading as hard / as much as I intended to, so I may not be the best case study.

Thanks for the update. I have some sitting here i was planning to install next week and this thread scared me a bit. I think I'll gamble as well; will update here if they fail me.

[Herculean T4R]

I was thinking of buying Moog inner tie rods also. I ended up buying OEM from Amayama. The price differential was $100 only between moog and OEM. You can get moog from rockauto for about $37 a piece.

Since I offroad, I felt OEM will be a better choice for me. I won't lie that $145 for moog inner and outer tie rods was very tempting vs $300 for OEM parts. But I am hoping OEM parts will last me a long time.

[JayRolla]

Originally Posted by Koko4

Hey, they've held up just fine, although I've got to admit I haven't been offroading as hard / as much as I intended to, so I may not be the best case study.

That's awesome. My aftermarket inners failed, a Napa brand and two lifetime duralasts. Glad you didn't have my experience.