Originally Posted by BagiMT

Got this done over the weekend. Was not as bad as most make it out to be. Took me 3 hours for the first side, and 2 hours for the second, beginning to end including removing and installing the CV axle. About 1 hour for the reboot part. I think the most frustrating part was removing the dust cap! To get the CV out I used a large screw driver and a 4lb hammer. With the screw driver in on of the groves it took only a couple of hits with the hammer to get the CV out. Requires removing the skid plate, but well worth it.

The 5th gen boot kit (04427-60131) is a perfect fit. The inner boot is the same material as the outer boot and has more fins compared to the 4th gen boot. Hopefully it will be more durable. The grease capacity is a bit larger, that's why there is an additional small tube of grease. Given that both kits are the same cost this seems like a nice free upgrade. I did get the worm drive clamps from Amazon (or eBay) since they are easier to install and allow for adjusting the inner boot on the truck (boot stretch). Snap ring pliers are definitely a good recommendation, make removing and installing the snap ring really easy.

Originally Posted by y=mx+b

Dude, those look fantastic! I really appreciate the pics too, those are a great addition. I've already linked it on the first page and made the recommendation to go the 5th gen kit!

Originally Posted by BagiMT

Yes, I like them. Thanks for your write-up, that helped a ton.

Originally Posted by BagiMT

Got this done over the weekend. Was not as bad as most make it out to be. Took me 3 hours for the first side, and 2 hours for the second, beginning to end including removing and installing the CV axle. About 1 hour for the reboot part. I think the most frustrating part was removing the dust cap! To get the CV out I used a large screw driver and a 4lb hammer. With the screw driver in on of the groves it took only a couple of hits with the hammer to get the CV out. Requires removing the skid plate, but well worth it.

The 5th gen boot kit (04427-60131) is a perfect fit. The inner boot is the same material as the outer boot and has more fins compared to the 4th gen boot. Hopefully it will be more durable. The grease capacity is a bit larger, that's why there is an additional small tube of grease. Given that both kits are the same cost this seems like a nice free upgrade. I did get the worm drive clamps from Amazon (or eBay) since they are easier to install and allow for adjusting the inner boot on the truck (boot stretch). Snap ring pliers are definitely a good recommendation, make removing and installing the snap ring really easy.

Originally Posted by 702tripgen

Great write up, thank you!

How tight did you tighten the clamps? I know it's hard to say exactly but I used a 1/4" drive ratchet/socket but didn't want to go too tight. Got a little leakage and used a screwdriver until I couldn't turn anymore. No leakage since. I also wrapped electrical tape around the clamp seat on the boot to protect the boot.

Does that seem good or should I tighten more with the socket?

Originally Posted by phatcheeks

I was wondering, since the 5th gen boot has more fins wouldn't that make them rub against each other more that the 4th gen? I have a torn boot because of the rub. I already ordered the 5th gen boots though lol.
I just wanted to know how yours are holding up.

Originally Posted by BagiMT

Yes, the 5th gen inner boot is more like the outer boot. Same material, thinner finn's than the 4th gen boot. I stretched mine a bit and have not noticed any rubbing (3" lift). Might be interesting to look in the 5th gen section to see if people still have torn boots. I just assumed Toyota changed the design for a reason and went with it. Time will tell how it holds up, so far so good.

Originally Posted by phatcheeks

So I finally did it. Just on the passenger side. Now I want to do the driver side to be even lol. But its fine for now. The whole process took me some time since I was taking breaks and going slow. Im sure the next time will be much faster.
I had to do the knuckle seal too because for some reason it was torn and the little circle spring came out with the axle.

5th gen boots.

Originally Posted by rayoo

Tackled this and the CV replacement this weekend. (Thanks for the detailed writeups y=mx+b )

Couple of questions:

1. I swapped out the inner/diff side boots (kept the outer/knuckle side boots as is). I 200% need to stretch, correct?

2. I did the reboots with the factory setting where there's a small "notch". Is the consensus to pull the boot past that? Any potential leaking problems with that?

IMG_20220109_165706.jpg - Google Drive

IMG_20220109_165657.jpg - Google Drive

Originally Posted by y=mx+b

Thanks for the kind words!

As far as boot stretching, looks like you're running those longer red boots. Since they're rubbing, I'd probably recommend stretching them. For the one I stretched, I pulled the boot (actually pushed it with my hand inside the boot) past the factory slot and used one of the worm drive CV clamps to clamp it good on the axle. They're similar to regular hose clamps, but their edges are rolled to prevent cutting of the boot. I had one little issue with it not sealing in the beginning, but that was because I only tightened it with a screwdriver. I went back and tightened it further with a 12v impact and it hasn't leaked since.

Originally Posted by rayoo

Got it boot stretch done without a hitch, thanks for the tips!