Spare U joints ?

I’d like to buy a couple u joints to keep as spares in the glove box in case of emergency. Dealer wants $90 a piece, I’m safely assuming that’s spicer, didn’t bother asking cause I don’t want to spend that much on a u joint, but will if I have to.

after calling around, at this time, no one has any aftermarket solutions. In case anyone is wondering, the part number is
0437104044

bam wholesale has them for $60. Link below

https://www.*****************.com/oem-parts/toyota-universal-joints-0437104044

 

Buy the cheap ones to keep in your truck. They’ll get you home. Then you can replace it with a good one and put el cheapo back in the box for next time.

I carry a number of lesser expensive parts on my Jeep. I’ve had stuff stolen at trail heads.

 

No doubt. I’d do everything in my power to not spend $90 on a damn u joint. I was just having some issues finding aftermarket ones.

 

If you're worried about the cost, maybe look at buying a used one.

 

Maybe you can sell me yours

 

Why pack spare u joints? Do these things fail that much?

 

Not really. They can , but not to often. It’s like carrying a spare tire. I’d rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it when out in the woods

 

Shop around. Just googling the part number shows results at about $60. Might even be able to get a military or TLCA discount added if that applies to you.

 

I guess I look at it as where do you draw the line, spare axles, front diff etc.

If a u joint breaks on the trail you're likely to have other problems like yoke ears fucked etc.

 

What part number ? The one the Napa guy gave me is bogus .

 

I don't have any to sell 20+ years of off-roading all over the Mojave, National Forests all over the west and several trips to Moab I nor anyone in my group have ever had one fail

YMMV

 

Final edit.

 

Spicers/Toyotas are about $40 online.
There's a reason cheap is cheap.


Have you ever changed u-joints?
Changing a u-joint without an arbor press, in the field, sounds miserable...

 

I’ve changed plenty. It’s less miserable changing one in the field than compared to paying a offroad tow truck service to come get me out off the trail.

 

I doubt an SR with the 2.7 can even break a u-joint in the field and even if it could the damage to the yokes would be so severe that having a spare wouldn't do you any good.

IMO carrying a spare u-joint and press is like me carrying a spare derailluer for my mountain bike and hoping the hanger is not fucked up also

 

You don’t need to carry a press. A socket and maul will do it. I know this place, the 3rd gen section in particular, absolutely loves arguing semantics about anything and everything, but that’s not what the post is about. It’s about those who would like To add the small insurance and good vibes of throwing a u joint in the glovebox. It’s cheap, and gives me peace of mind, and is invaluable on the trial in case mine breaks. If someone doesn’t want to carry a spare, then fine. Don’t do it. But there are those who would like to, and there are thousands of others who carry u joints with them on the trail every time they go.

 

Yeah um no, unless you're really lucky this is how needles fall out of the cups and you have to do it four times. It's a fuck ton easier with an OTC u joint press or even a heavy duty vice.

If you're unlucky enough to have a massive u-joint failure the chances of the yokes surviving where's it's going to be easy is nil.

Me: I'd just yank the driveshaft and leave it in 4WD. I'm not saying a field repair is impossible, but with just a maul and a socket fuck that. If the u-joint is making noise, i'm driving on the fucker vs. trying to repair it on the trail

 

Yea , if I can leave one shaft in enough to get off the trail I’ll do it. But what about the ride home ? I often go to trails 300 miles away from where I live


I also never said it wasn’t easier with a press. Of course it is. But I can’t carry a garage with me everywhere I go

 

This. Or limp it off the trail, repair it in the next large town you come to. BTDT No off-road tow truck or service needed. For me I find it way easier to make major repairs back at camp or Motel then I do holding everyone up on the side of the trail. I know sometimes that's not possible but for the times it is, it's just better. You'll thank me later

 

The most common things i've seen and read about are bent drive shafts from getting high centered. I just can't see a 2.7 blowing up a u joint. I can totally see an LS swapped Jeep or rock buggy blowing one up, but when they do the yokes are extra scrambled.