CV Boots and Manual Locking hubs

[SixxiA]

3VZE, fully loaded 1995 Runner.

My CV Boots look like this:

I was wondering weather to get OEM replacements or get a "Universal" CV boot kit. Is one going to be easier or is it worth the extra effort for a significant gain in longevity? Also, how much harder would it be to convert to manual locking hubs as well?

 

[4runner_kid]

I would get OEM replacement's. Also i've never done the hub swap but was told you can save gas and that they sell kit's for it, i could be wrong tho.

 

[fourwd1]

OEM boots really are better than generic ones.
Since you have to tear everything apart to replace them, it is definitely the time to install manual hubs when you put everything back together. If you have the hubs and gaskets, they pretty much bolt-on in place of the stock drive flanges.

 

[4x4climber]

If you don't already have any and need manual hubs; I have some perfectly good working hubs I can pop off my '87 if they will work for ya. I would personally go oem cv's.... Even if you get aftermarket ones with a lifetime warranty, you will be replacing them all the time. At least thats my experience with cheapo cv's. Luckily the car i did that to was easy to swap the cv's "relatively"