Ball joint - 1996 5 lug

I have a '96 5 lug I need to replace the ball joints on. Other than OEM, who makes a good ball joint for our Tacomas? OEM bj's seem ridiculously expensive. I know there have been threads on this before and I have searched some. Found some decent looking Beck Arnley bj's on RockAuto but havent been able to find much info on them. Heard some people recommend NAPA as well, but they can be pricey. Any recommendations?

 

There are lots of "OEM or nothing" ball joint people around here, but most of that is for the 4x4's.

Not sure if MOOG makes them for the 5 lug, but I had good luck with that brand on my 4x4. I got mine from Rockauto.

 

I can check on MOOG, thanks. I had read something about their quality going down over the past few years, but maybe they would last ok in a 2wd daily driver.

Also, I would like something that has a grease fitting. I like being able to pump a bit of grease down in there every once in a while, kinda helps it from drying out.

 

For a 5 lug? NAPA premium should be plenty fine. Napa can also order a brand called 555 (Sankei) and they're also good and quite often cheaper than NAPA premium.

 

Sankei makes the OEM ball joints right?

 

Yes, but, and that's a BIG but, they have two production lines. What the factory specs for OEM quality and longevity... and what they make as a third part parts provider. So while I wouldn't use them for a 6 lug unless they were the OEM ones, they will be absolutely fine for the much lower stresses of being a 5 lug.

 

I’d go with oem Toyota , I was in The same situation as You couple weeks ago was gonna purchase moog 555 lowers for around 40 a piece but got an sweet deal with gunny out in camelback Toyota , couple extra bucks and get oem , moogsn555 are beefy bj made in Japan imo best alternative , I will be installing moogs 555 uppers all of this in my 5 lug too

 

Found some MOOG ball joints made in Japan on RockAuto. Uppers $30 apiece, lowers $40 apiece. Is there anything wrong with going MOOG? I heard their quality has gone down over the past couple years but for a 5 lug that wont see much if any off road would they be ok?

If they are decent I am thinking about getting them, seems like if they are made in Japan they ought to be pretty good quality. Also they do have grease fittings.

I called NAPA and they can get Sankei 555's for $70 on the lowers and $56 on the uppers. Again not sure if its worth it, I dont want to cheap out here but funds are tight. This truck took a LOT of work I was not counting on. But I do want it to last.

 

Found some Sankei 555 uppers on Ebay for $75 for both sides. Lowers are still pretty expensive, so maybe I will just do the uppers now. The lowers were replaced in the past 20k ish miles. Will check and make sure they are still good though.

 

I have an 04 Tacoma, I'm looking at the ProForged ball joints for 2wds. Would that be a good choice/brand?
Found on RockAuto

 

Did mine last year with the 555's uppers and lowers, seemed really nice. Went with moog tie rod ends.