Lower ball joint delete

That’s what I like to call this. TC lower uniballs for my 98 and I have manual hubs. I do however have aftermarket cv axles and I have no issues with clearance on the cv dust shield. Steering feels fantastic and I don’t have to worry about breaking lower ball joints. I have ome 883 and about 3” of lift and jba uca. Was a pretty easy install and alignment wasn’t an issue.

 

This thread is going to swim in posts I imagine. Bottom line it, 4 bolts are still the fail point and there is at least one TC LBJ user on here who had them shear on the trail

 

I have personally never had that failure and even on the oem joints. I have had the ball pop out. Red loctite and proper torque and making sure they don’t move is key. I put match marks on the bolts and the nut to see after I take it on a few trips. I also don’t bear the piss out of it so that should help.

 

Ah the Duramax mod

 

Winter is not going to treat them well...

 

I guess we will see. I didn’t see anything about issues as well as you don’t let them sit in salt water like everything else on these 1st gens. Had this thing for 20 years so not anything I cant handle.

 

One of the best mods I have done for my peace of mind. Inspect the bolts everytime you are under the truck changing the oil, and spray them with some metal protectant spray, and you will be set. Also, disregard the guys that don't have first hand experience with them say.

 

It’s amazing how much tighter and different it feels. My oem ball joints had about 4 years of use and not sure in mileage but one was getting noisy. I have had one aftermarket fail and one oem ball joint fail. Both just driving through a dip in the road. I watched Timmy’s video where they mod these with a Mazda shift boot and a top cap to keep them clean and last a little longer. I think it’s a good idea and might try that. Unbelievable easy to install and I’ve taken the front end apart a few times so it’s second nature now. Thanks for the feedback! Good to hear.

 

im going to look for high grade 400 series stainless LBJ bolts

 

that’s a good idea. Strong hardware for good piece of mind. In the Timmy video they use arp studs. I think that’s also a good idea.

 

that absolutely sucks

 

Would you mind posting the video you are refering to? And a link to where you bought these? Thank you.

Edit: TC means Total Chaos, I see
https://www.chaosfab.com/lifestyle/...AUOKeH8aydsTnanGpU--JJJoubQ0v8bo5ypH6QYLasaJL

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81mR_Xw5Hz0&t=597s

all the hardware needed is in the video description.

 

little update. Just took the tacoma on an adventure out into Idaho for some wheeling, dirtbiking and kayaking and everything has stayed in place and the pickup drives amazing. No issues at all with a couple thousand miles on them now. The picture is in Tensleep pass Wyoming. Took it over Jackson pass as well. Needless to say I have an appt. for some 4.56 gears in a couple weeks! loaded down she's kind of a dog in that Wyoming wind.