Hi all,

I am new to this 4th gen fourms but I am not new to the 3rd gen fourms on here. I bought a 98' SR5 2wd Jan of 2023 but just recently upgraded to a 05 v8 4x4. Been loving it so far. Been doing tons of maintenance, alternator, timing belt, tranny fluid changes, etc.. One of the things that needs replacing though are my cv axles. The pervious owners had replaced the OEM cv axles with some cheapies (GSP) from rock auto, and both of the outer boots are torn leaking and have been for a while and are slinging bits of grease everywhere. I am in a 4th gen group on Facebook and I saw on there someone said you can use 5th gen cv's and they will bolt right up on our 4th gens. I also have seen people have issues with the front differential leaking after they replace their seals / cv axles. So, 4th gen axles are obviously discontinued and now the original 5th gen axle part# is now discontinued as well (4343060082). Now you can only get the new 43430-60083 part #. Does anyone know the difference between the two? I have heard the difference now is that it uses a different lock nut and you bang the nut with a chisel to lock it in instead of a cotter pin. But other than that there is no difference? I would hate to buy a set and install them just to have an issue like the infamous front diff leak lol. Or if anyone has a good suggestion for a non OEM brand they have had good experience with. And no I will not be using CVJ... they would be a rip off for me. After tax, shipping and core charges I would be in way more than OEM would cost, especially since I don't have OEM axles so I wouldn't get my core charge back. Screw them. But anyways. Any help is appreciated, I would like to get them replaced soon. Thanks!

My son just ordered 5th gen axles and received them so we are in the same boat. I wasn't even sure if these were even gonna work but he said he did a lot of research and heard that they do work so I have some similar questions as well. Hopefully you can get some good feedback on these questions as I am very interested to find this out myself.

I recently installed some 5th gen cv axles on my 08. They were used from a 2023 4Runner. No issues

Thanks for the info. Will prolly pull the trigger on some soon here now, need to replace them haha

I thought I heard that the GX460 front CV axles are also a direct fitment into a 4th gen 4runner. Perhaps the GX and a 5th gen share the same front axles? in either case, they're both an upgrade for a 4th gen.

Just put 5th gen Axles on my Son's 4th gen. Only difference is Axle nut. No more click. JBA Uppers and OEM LCA's

Confirmed that 5th gen axles do work in 4th gen. I just used doubled axle nuts on the ends. Been ~5k / 8 months without issues. Will inspect check torque this spring / summer. Hope the CV boots and axles last 100k +. I also got 5th gen OEM CV boots that I need to put on old 4th OEM axles for spares, TBD.

Really good to here. I'm saving my money to buy some right now. Eventually I will haha

A bit off topic but are people upgrading to the 5th gen CV axles because there is a problem with the 4th gen? Or is it that used OEM 5th gen CV axles with low mileage are more readily available and they fit? I recently replaced a CV axle on my '05 with an aftermarket rebuilt unit - both had been replaced before I bought it. I installed a Cardone unit from Rockauto which I know gets a lot of side eye but I have used them in the past with good results. The stated fitment on that part includes 4th and 5th gen. Did have leakage so had to do the job over again and replace the seal which fixed the problem. I attributed that to sloppy technique on my part installing the original replacement seal, not the CV axle.

yes, but only because they upgraded the boots on the 5th gen. I think the CV part is the same. But nobody wants to do the messy job of replacing boots because it's such a messy job, so they just order new.

I'll be doing the same this summer. Just need to order some tools.

If your like me and are in the same boat of needing to replace your CV's you are way out of luck to try and buy new "4th gen" cv axles. The part # for them has been discontinued a long time ago. Discontinued = you can't get them anymore. The newer 5th gen units are better design with the boots and they use a different type of bearing inside the joints themselves from the 4th gen. Due to the OG part being discontinued and the 5th gen being a direct fit w/ upgraded design that's why its the choice for many including myself. I wouldn't mind a non oem axle but I dont trust the chinese bearings they come with and my aftermarket cv axles on my truck put on by the PO already have torn boots. You get what you pay for with the cv axles. The boots on your cardones will probably leak sometime within 4 years at least if not sooner. The materials just aren't the same as OEM.