3rd gen rear lower control arm

[deves2]

My original rear lower control arms gave up after 16 years. Last year I bought 2 febest LCA and in less than a year they fell apart. The rubber separated from the housing. Very dangerous. I bought these from Amazon to save a penny, my mistake. I cant afford to be doing this every year so what do you guys recommend??? I do go offroad but not hard core rock climbing. I would say moderate trails, small rocks, creeks etc 10 to 15 times per year. Mild lift....aprox 1", 31" tires everything else stock

 

[earthdweller]

I'm not really qualified to answer this, but a clue resides in your question. Many folks seem pretty convinced that aftermarket items, particularly suspension parts are taboo. Since you state the original part lasted 16 years and a new aftermarket part lasted only 1 year, it would be wise to stick with OEM. However, if you or someone else did other modifications that hastened the demise of the original part, then perhaps this is more complicated than simply replacing parts.

 

[habanero]

I've got some junkyard rear lca's from an '02 on my '96 a little over 30,000 miles and 3 years ago.

Unlike the 96's rear lca's the '02's bushings can be pressed out, but I haven't had to pursue where that option can take me yet as they are in good shape so far.

 

[octanejunkie]

1" lift and 31's is really nothing that should require anything aftermarket.

Get a set of stock arms and bushings and call it a day.

 

[Scramble]

My original rear lower control arms gave up after 16 years. Last year I bought 2 febest LCA and in less than a year they fell apart. The rubber separated from the housing. Very dangerous. I bought these from Amazon to save a penny, my mistake. I cant afford to be doing this every year so what do you guys recommend??? I do go offroad but not hard core rock climbing. I would say moderate trails, small rocks, creeks etc 10 to 15 times per year. Mild lift....aprox 1", 31" tires everything else stock

Cheap aftermarket stuff doesn't work on Toyota's. Look on E-Bay for used OEM control arms with good bushings if money is tight. Or replace your bushings with polys or OEM rubber.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Good to know about the Febest parts. I put their bushings in the rear lower control arms of the 96 that got wrecked. Still haven't done anything with them yet....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JayRolla]

All aftermarket parts don't do well on any vehicle. It's not just Toyotas that don't like them.

OP OEM would be your best bet. Even used good ones will last longer than what you bought.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

My original rear lower control arms gave up after 16 years. Last year I bought 2 febest LCA and in less than a year they fell apart. The rubber separated from the housing. Very dangerous. I bought these from Amazon to save a penny, my mistake. I cant afford to be doing this every year so what do you guys recommend??? I do go offroad but not hard core rock climbing. I would say moderate trails, small rocks, creeks etc 10 to 15 times per year. Mild lift....aprox 1", 31" tires everything else stock

ToyTec / Rokmen - 43027 - Rokmen Trail Series Lower Links for 96-02 4Runner

 

[mtbtim]

I've got some junkyard rear lca's from an '02 on my '96 a little over 30,000 miles and 3 years ago.

Unlike the 96's lca's the '02's bushings can be pressed out, but I haven't had to pursue where that option can take me yet as they are in good shape so far.

I think you got some bad information somewhere. I was pretty sure that all the 3rd Gen years had the same LCAs and I just confirmed it with a search on the Camelback Toyota website. The part number for the 96 LCAs is the same for the 02 LCAs.
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I actually made a video of replacing the LCA bushings on [MENTION=142071]sunsetrunner[/MENTION] 96. Sooo, you can press the bushings out of any year LCAs.

Here's the video for those that are interested. Be sure to read the video description too for helpful info.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmaZNBp1gZM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Scramble]

I think you got some bad information somewhere. I was pretty sure that all the 3rd Gen years had the same LCAs and I just confirmed it with a search on the Camelback Toyota website. The part number for the 96 LCAs is the same for the 02 LCAs.

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I actually made a video of replacing the LCA bushings on [MENTION=142071]sunsetrunner[/MENTION] 96. Sooo, you can press the bushings out of any year LCAs.

Here's the video for those that are interested. Be sure to read the video description too for helpful info.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmaZNBp1gZM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The only thing different on 96 & 97 is the bushing material is stiffer on those two older models. From 98 on the rubber is softer & flexes better.

 

[habanero]

I think you got some bad information somewhere. I was pretty sure that all the 3rd Gen years had the same LCAs and I just confirmed it with a search on the Camelback Toyota website. The part number for the 96 LCAs is the same for the 02 LCAs.

Toyota has done that with a ton of parts for the 96. It makes sense as the newer stuff is usually a better version and readily interchangeable. Take the rack and pinion, Toyota now lists that as the same part number though it didn't start out that way.

My 96's original rear lower control arm on top vs the newer version below:

EDIT: Also, I never said anything about the FRONT lower control arms. OP said rear.....we may be talking apples vs other kinds of apples.

 

[mtbtim]

Toyota has done that with a ton of parts for the 96. It makes sense as the newer stuff is usually a better version and readily interchangeable. Take the rack and pinion, Toyota now lists that as the same part number though it didn't start out that way.

My 96's original rear lower control arm on top vs the newer version below:

EDIT: Also, I never said anything about the FRONT lower control arms. OP said rear.....we may be talking apples vs other kinds of apples.

I reckon we are talking about different things. I was thinking the conversation was about fronts. Woops.

 

[habanero]

When it comes to control arms front and rear and up and down we can very safely say that's not the first time it's happened and just as safely say it won't be the last, either.

 

[RAD4Runner]

For parts critical to safe operation of the truck, OEM.
Try Toyotapartsdeal.com for best prices

 

[ajordan1975]

best lowers on the market!
4Runner Lower Links (3rd Gen, Rear) - Front Range Off-Road Fabrication

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/215127-front-range-offroad-rear-links-control-arms.html