LBJ replacement? Thoughts please!

So I'm going to go ahead and order of outer tie rods, but should i do the inners as well? I want to do this before taking it to get an alignment and tires balanced.

Also, debating on replacing the lower ball joints to be safe.....Should i go Moog or OEM? I love that the Moog has a zerk on it, and I've read good things.......but I've also read bad things about the boots tearing fast and not fitting as they should. Any opinions one way or the other?

Thanks again guys!

 

Oem

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-rust-recall.263311/
try this thread. I just saw you are a 2012 so I don’t know if that’s covered.

just do both inner and outer tie rods. Might as well.

 

What would you consider excessive caster. I’ve had mine set at 4 degrees for 2 years which is 1.5 degrees more than spec. Zero tire wear issues with 15-20k miles a year so the truck gets driven.

 

My first thought when I read LBJ replacement:


And then I read the thread and was like, oh. That LBJ.

 

Would you mind giving me a rundown on what i should be looking for when i get my alignment? I want to be able to give the tech some numbers so that i dont run into problems mentioned in the beginning of this thread.

 

I don't consider 4 degrees excessive caster. I consider 5 degrees and above starting to get into the "excessive caster territory." Of course I will say, however, that the advantages of high caster (Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 use 9 degrees for example) is that you will track straight as an arrow on the road and the wheel will always return to center with very little aid while turning. Road crown will also be a non factor so the vehicle will just take deviations on the road like a champ.

So there are trade offs. It's up to the owner or the tech to determine what is too much or if too little is not enough for their taste.

 

My personal numbers are 0 toe 0 camber 4* caster on the drivers side 4.5* caster on the passenger side.

 

I would look for a low mile 3 gen suspension take off (front coils / shocks, rear shocks) and replace your current hardware.

Get a proper alignment, tire rotation and balance, and go from there.

Find a shop that is well established in truck work or one that preps sports cars for auto cross. They'll have techs that actually know how to do an alignment. To your numbers.

It will cost more, you won't be able to buy a 'lifetime' package, but you'll get the work done right. And if there are components worn out on the front end, a tech will tell you what it is and that he can't finish the alignment until that is corrected.

 

Thanks for the inout. I'm pretty confident the tie rods are shot so im gonna knock those out before I go, but I'm actually across the bridge from you in the Tampa area. Do you have any shops you'd recommend? A buddy mentioned xtreme jeeps in tampa.

 

Don't know anyone in Tampa/Hillsborough. Sorry.

However, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone. Lots of motorsports in the area. And like I said, it doesn't have to be a 'truck' shop, it just needs to be one with techs who are capable, not just computer robots, as in 'it's green, so it's good'.

 

I just did my Upper and lowers with Moogs. Easy, perfect fit, and greasable! Only bad part is that the LBJ zerk is on top at a 45* angle. Very hard to get a gun on. I replaced mine with 90* fittings. Much easier!

 

I would definitely go ahead and do Inners . It’s not that much more work and I’ve had to cut them plenty of times when the inners and outers have been seized together. Something you wouldn’t know until trying to take the outers off or do an alignment.

 

Still gotta swaybar?

 

Hey just a heads up 3rd gen LCA's do not install on 2nd gens.
FJ /4runner / 3rd gen Tacos all share the same LCA's but the 2nd gens are slightly different. The components are interchangeable but the arm body is different.
The spacing between the front / rear bushing to the frame is different.
I found 3rd gen LCA's were cheaper than 2nd gens so was going to order 3rd gens.
Someone on the forum educated me they are different.
If you cross-check the PN's they are different.