Best CV axle for the money and x-over pipe question

[DeclansDaddy]

Hey fellas I just picked up a 95 SR5 and one thing on my checklist of things needed are a couple of CV axles. The boots are non existent and all 4 joints are dry as a bone and sloppy. My question is instead of going to Advance and buying the cheapest ones they got what are some reasonable options for a better replacement. I don't plan on doing any serious wheeling, maybe just stick it in a mud hole every once and a while and taking back in the woods hunting so I don't think I need to spend a ton of money but I just don't have much faith in the local part stores $60 pieces.

Also another issue I have is the infamous baked valve cover gaskets due to the x-over pipe. I plan on putting new ones on soon and while putting a set of headers on the truck would be the best preventative thing to do, $600-700 for a set of headers just isn't in the cards for me right now. My thought is while I have the top end of the motor off would wrapping the x-over pipe with header wrap help at all? Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

OEM Toyota CVs are the best. As far as the heat wrap goes, it couldn't hurt.

 

[DeclansDaddy]

Cool ill look into the OEM ones. Also it appears that some previous owner has gutted the cat. Here in Va emissions aren't part of inspection but I'm debating on installing a new one or just letting it ride. Does it hurt anything being gutted other than the ozone?

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Cool ill look into the OEM ones. Also it appears that some previous owner has gutted the cat. Here in Va emissions aren't part of inspection but I'm debating on installing a new one or just letting it ride. Does it hurt anything being gutted other than the ozone?

Nope won't hurt a thing on the truck and will give you more powaaaaa. lol

 

[awthorn]

For CV's I would check out CJV Axles' OEM Remans with the extended boot. Get them the first time, then if you decide to lift in the future you should be good to go. The cost is only about 30 bucks more per for the extended boot than a standard reman from them but well worth the $ if you ask me. Here is a pic of one of the CVJs for my third gen.

I am not 100% sure they make them for the 2nd Gen but it is worth a shot checking in to!