Replacement CV shafts

So I have seen some stupid high prices on “upgraded” shafts for these 3rd gens. I have also seen the $50 variety. Has anyone got any personal experience with any particular replacement shafts? I am getting spare parts together for a Moab wheeling trip and I would like to take at least one with me just for peace of mind but I’m curious as to whether or not anyone has any thoughts on either great deals or shitty deals or just good enough deals. This is my first IFS truck so I am not nearly as familiar with these type shafts as I am the good ole birfield for the solid axle.

I appreciate the thoughts.

 

Do you have a link to the high priced version you were looking at? I would carry one stock “take off” shaft if I was going on that trip and wanted to carry one. It just needs to get you back out the way you came.

 

I’ll have to dig it up. It was like $2500 for the dang things. “No questions asked” but still. They ought to ride out to wherever I’m at and install the mf’er for $2500.

 

Lol. True

 

For a trail spare the AutoZone or O'Reilly's special will do, just buy it before you go and return when you get home.

 

I know on the current gen 4Runner nothing is as good as OEM shafts. The guys who wheel them hard swear by them.

 

I thought the conventional wisdom was, use OEM; so it is the point of failure, rather than the differential.

 

About how much is an OEM shaft? I've been wanting to grab one for a trail spare as well.

 

Get a napa re man

Have two and they are OEM cv axles

 

That seems like pretty solid logic. I would think though that surely there is a weak link somewhere between the shaft and the ring and pinion. Hopefully a hub would blow before the gears. Who knows. Like I said, I’ve never wheeled an ifs.

 

OEM axle is about tree fiddy. https://parts.toyotaofdallas.com/oem-parts/toyota-axle-assembly-4343004070

 

That's what I intend to do. Keep it just in case.

 

Thanks! That's actually not terrible for OEM parts, but I know folks' wallets vary.

 

Beat me to it!

 

Another name for NAPA axles---SNAPA

Stick with OEM. They cost more. But there is a reason. Just like why your Toyota costs more than a Dodge.

 

Probably RCV Ultimate

 

Yep. Thats them. $2495 for a set of CVs! Not if I had drank all the beer and inhaled all the drugs I could get my hands on would I pay $2500 for a set of shafts for this truck.

 

If you did that I don't think you'd have enough money left over for the gas needed to even get to AutoZone to buy the cheap CVs.

 

True but I dont think I would care at that point.