Lower ball joints brand?

On a part as critical as the ball joint I wouldn't consider anything but the OEM pieces.

After pricing out a compete front end rebuild (uppers, lowers BJ's, inner and outter TR's, boots and bushings) and on my truck I ended up going all OEM with the exception of the bushings. Buying parts off Rock Auto and other suppliers would have only saved me about $100. For the extra $100 I have piece of mind that I'm using the same quality parts that got the truck to 180K miles and I got everything from one place.

 

What do you think of Proforged lower ball-joints if dealership is not in the budget?

 

If you can't get OEM, at the very least go with 555 (found at Low Range Off Road)

Wow thread from 2014 lol

 

I agree with @Kwikvette .. 555 would definately be my choice over Proforged.

Low Range Offroad... and also the Moogs at Summit Racing are stamped 555 as well.

 

I don't know if Low Range carries the ones for a 5 lug...

 

Oof didn't realize the "2.4"

Aren't the bracket or some other part the weak point on those rather than the ball joint itself?

@Das it mang
@Sperrunner

 

lol... good call... I rarely even think about 5 lugs. Seems we are always talking 6 lug here.

 

Ive gotten oem off camel back and the high end mevotech from rock auto

 

You also have to separate the tie rods from the lbj when you change them. So it doesn’t hurt to change at the same time if you feel up to the task

 

Thank you for the response. I recently learned about the 555 stamped parts. I also liked the ball joint video that was posted on this topic it helps tremendously. I have had my truck for many years and never thought twice about what ball joints I had installed until it happened to me... I was driving and I skidded safely into a parking lot. This has happened to others driving since it use to be a work truck. I know a long time ago they even had a recall on the ball joints so I am glad I have some solid options. I noticed after I got my truck back from installing Bilstein German shocks that 1 ball joint now has a cut in the sealed ball joint boot. I am going to change out my Proforged because of this but i have had no problems to date with this brand. I would like to know if others have had any problems. I will not use MOOG or Mevotech i have used them in the past and they broke before there warranty was up. I have been through 7 balljoints.

 

Thank you for chiming in.... This is exactly what happens when you run cheap Chinese crap ball joints like mevotech and proforged.
Is there a reason you haven't gone with OEM in the last 6 ball joints??? Ohhhhh I see, they were that lifetime crap warranty, where we guarantee your part will be crap for life.
Yes, go with OEM. No more mistakes. You know first hand yourself.

 

I'm late af but moog ball joints have had good results for 5 luggers on here so need to stress oem like a 6 lug. The OEM LBJ's are not as pertinent of an issue bc we differ from 6 lugs in our suspension

 

just an fyi if you would rather not spend double the money. Right and left moog lbj's on Amazon are 36 bucks each lol.



And the lower ball joint bracket is only a concern if u go above a 31 inch tire and u launch the truck like it has long travel

 

Did you read her post? She broke 7 of those aftermarket ball joints.... She doesn't want to replace anymore with the free warranty

 

@cruiserguy no I just jumped in the convo dry on coffee my b. This is the first ive heard from a 5 lugger about moog's being dooky. how may miles have u put on or what do u even do to the truck to go through 7 fkn balljoints??? crazy to me,wow

 

Yeah I figured you just didn't see her post above mine, I answered her directly. And normally I'd think she could get away with your suggestion. In her case, she's tired of the free warranty crap and just wants the part that will have the best chance at lasting longest. And that part would be the OEM ball joint. Can't say I blame her.

 

yup, true true.

I'll be going with moog when that time comes, so guess I can add to the "experience list" of 5 luggers.

Just still blown away with 7 balljoints unless we're talking jumping the truck every weekend or 5-6 hundred thousand miles on the truck

 

Been through 7 ball joints?

Ya, there's another issue causing that... and it has absolutely nothing to do with what brand ball joints they are.

 

Here's my thoughts on balljoints:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2004-4x4-doublecab-trd.622208/#post-21222495

tl;dr

get the best you can afford, (in this order of general quality): moog, 555, factory OEM.