2003 Tacoma CV axle

So i have a 2003 tacoma and it does not have OEM cv axles on it truck has a 2" OME lift and needing to replace axles due to inner boots wearing out, any suggestion on a decent set of aftermarket axles and also do they need to be extended travel? I already talked to CVJ and really expensive if you dont have OEM's for a core.

Thanks for any direction on this

 

@Taco critter

 

Did the boot fins wear out because they were rubbing together due to the lift? 2" lift shouldn't really do that but every truck is a little different. If the boot fins are rubbing now then they will rub and wear out again with the next set of axles you put on. Doesn't matter what the boots are made out of, if they rub they will tear.

Napa, O'Reilleys, etc all sell extended travel CV axles that help with that issue, check out this thread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/extended-travel-cv-axles.767473/

 

so i checked with napa and they have no extended travel axles i looked on rock auto and found these
2003 TOYOTA TACOMA 3.4L V6 CV Axle | RockAuto

TRAKMOTIVETO8043XTT

 

Yeah, same ones (the ones for lifted applications)

Just rebranded

 

ok thanks for the help it threw me off from the picture from what the inner side of the axle looks like on it.

 

As long as it's the extended ones it should help with the boot issue you're having (rubbing due to angles from lift)

 

My recollection from that other thread covering the "lifted application" CVs, was that the boots still tear just as fast (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/extended-travel-cv-axles.767473/#post-27396572 @Kwikvette says ~7k). Unless you're wheeling a ton (to the point where you need the "better" design of the lifted application CVs) just stick with the normal parts store ones with the warrantee and just replace 'em when the boots tear.

 

I know @Kwikvette had one of those boots on his pull away from the clamp (if I remember right?), what was weird too was that there was no grease coming out of it when it did lol. But he still ran it like that just fine I think until he sold the rig?

 

I ran those extended cv axles, and even through the punishment I put them through the boots still ripped.

But as Ryan stated, I ran them for over a year after that happened through mud, dirt, rock, and snow and they didn't leak parse.

A cv axle I definitely recommend but only due to their strength and added articulation; the boots on the otherhand are worse than those found on an OEM cv axle.

 

So I actually just put these CVJ axles on mine [https://www.cvjreman.com/product/9808-tr/] about 2 months ago, after my O'Reilly brand axles' boots tore.

They put a large rubber-band like thing between the first fin on the inner boot and the inner spider housing (where red arrow is pointing), that seems to work well once installed to keep that first fin from rubbing against the lip of the inner spider housing. I have a 3" lift with the 1" diff drop, and based on how these look on my truck after installation, I get the feeling these boots will last a very long time, due to this preventing fin rubbing. I didn't have OEM cores either, so I paid like $1100 for both cv axles after taxes, shipping, and core fees. I get most will scoff at that price point, but since I plan to keep my truck for the long haul, it seems like a worthwhile investment [especially since I can just reboot them when they eventually tear and feel confident the axles themselves won't ever fail me]. I'll take a photo after work today to demonstrate what I'm saying.

 

Here's photos of the CVJ axles I mentioned actually on my truck. OP, you'd probably be just fine with the NAPA brand axles others have recommended, just trying to share information that can help you and others make an informed decision. So far I've been very impressed with CVJ axles' quality.

 

$1100 for both? Wow that’s good, I was looking at the RCV axles with high angle cv’s and same orange boots for $2200, I have the 3.5 vertex with 1” diff drop, just don’t want any issues

 

Yea $1100 for set out the door with shipping and tax included. I'd be willing to bet these would still work for your rig. But then again I do believe I've read that 3" of lift is about as much as you wanna go with OEM axles.

I did email CVJ with some questions I had about these before purchasing and they were prompt to respond. So you could try emailing them to see what they'd recommend.

 

I remember when people said $1100 for a pair of axles was insane. Then inflation happened I guess. I'm old

Anyways the topic of "what would you rather break" has been beaten to death so I won't rehash it here.

 

I used the el cheapo (80 bux) OReillys summer before last. I put less than 2000 miles on them and already busted open. Must have rotted just sitting in driveway.

 

I am not sure CJV are actually stronger than OEM. They may just have better boots. Across the last couple crawling trips I've seen 5 CJVs break in person on 35s lol

 

yeah they are remanufactured OEM with different boot options to accommodate lifts and such

 

well that just makes the price tag hurt that much more lol

 

They are pricey even for the basic remans with no boot upgrades, more than I paid for a Toyota reman from the dealer but that was 3 years ago.

I don't really buy into boot material upgrades, if they rub they are going to tear no matter what they are made out of.