LC250 CV joints - Should I consider upgrading

[Area 51]

When i tried to look up the CV assys from the 4Runner parts list it does not come up ???

Do we know part numbers for CV assys that are an upgrade yet, that will fit correctly?

 

[Blue Sky]

When i tried to look up the CV assys from the 4Runner parts list it does not come up ???

Do we know part numbers for CV assys that are an upgrade yet, that will fit correctly?

I believe these are tacoma CV axles. If you search under Tacoma ORP/Trailhunter and enter Front driveshaft assembly these parts number will populate:
Toyota Genuine #43420-AK010
Toyota Genuine #43410-AK010
Source: Search

I cannot confirm tacoma fitment.

However, I have been able to confirm the LC250 and the 4Runner Trailhunter/ORP share the same OEM cv axles.

 

[Area 51]

The LH 43420-AK010 is cheep by any standard- $417.
Are these two parts numbers theoretically going to fit the LCs?
Or do we know based on other intel?
Thx.

 

[ricochet]

Wondering if @ricochet could give any more info on the CV joint failure.

​

No news beyond what I had in the video. It’s unlikely Toyota will communicate back any findings. Though I know they were sent the broken parts. I did, however, find another part of the joint while filming yesterday. You can see exactly how it broke. Not sure how this managed to completely eject out of the vehicle. I should have looked closer before the tow truck came.

 

[GR8Santini]

No news beyond what I had in the video. It’s unlikely Toyota will communicate back any findings. Though I know they were sent the broken parts. I did, however, find another part of the joint while filming yesterday. You can see exactly how it broke. Not sure how this managed to completely eject out of the vehicle. I should have looked closer before the tow truck came.

Ricochet - The pictures make it appear like your CV grease was contaminated, or is that desert dirt? Should be a dark blue-gray grease color, not ruddy brown. That looks like what CV grease does when it gets moisture in it. You’ve seen it first hand - what’s your thoughts on the condition?

 

[Calokie]

No news beyond what I had in the video. It’s unlikely Toyota will communicate back any findings. Though I know they were sent the broken parts. I did, however, find another part of the joint while filming yesterday. You can see exactly how it broke. Not sure how this managed to completely eject out of the vehicle. I should have looked closer before the tow truck came.

Thanks for posting Rick and that’s for the videos

Definitely snapped @ the tripod splines
Looks like TRD Pro Taco CVs for me

 

[Area 51]

"Looks like TRD Pro Taco CVs for me"
Do they bolt up easy upgrade?

 

[sweet5ltr]

I've got six hundred miles off road now, half dozen trips to Moab. I stayed with the OEM tire size for this specific reason, because even with the OEM size, you're adding a lot of stress on the CV axles which are not overbuilt. I believe anyone running 35's is ignorant if they off road very often, or should get proficient at replacing CV axles on the trail like they do commonly in Australia on land cruisers with IFS. It seems like Toyota loves building the CVs out of glass to protect the front diff or R&P, and this isn't exclusive to the 250-series. Most of the time they snap near the splines, rarely at the joint.

Any mud or water ingress can also cause this, regardless of vehicle. If it snapped at the joint, not the splines, that's a big possibility that debris entered the boot at some time, seized it up, and that's definitely not gonna end well.

 

[Area 51]

Don't know if Tacoma TRD Pro assys are the same as the ones listed on Toyota parts nothing special noted. I did enter the vehicle as a 2025 Tacoma TRD Pro Hybrid, these should be the parts?
Unclear if they are a direct bolt up to a LC.

Toyota Left Hand Front Drive Shaft Assembly #43420-AK010 | Autoparts.toyota.com

Genuine Toyota Left Hand Front Drive Shaft Assembly delivers smooth torque transfer, exact driveline fit, and reliable front-wheel power.

autoparts.elkgrovetoyota.com

Toyota Right Hand Front Drive Shaft Assembly #43410-AK010 | Autoparts.toyota.com

Genuine Toyota Right Hand Front Drive Shaft Assembly delivers smooth power to the right front wheel with proper fit and operation.

autoparts.toyota.com

 

[Insanoflexathf]

I recently installed the BP-51 (3” lift) on my Land Cruiser. I’ve been running 35s with Icon wheels. After watching the video, I’m also wondering what I should do to extend the life of my CV axle and potentially protect it while off-road. Do you think there’s a genuine advantage to installing the Icon Diff Drop kit on my vehicle? Will this cause other issues that I’m unaware of, or am I taking more risk by not running a diff drop with the lifted rig?

 

[GR8Santini]

I recently installed the BP-51 (3” lift) on my Land Cruiser. I’ve been running 35s with Icon wheels. After watching the video, I’m also wondering what I should do to extend the life of my CV axle and potentially protect it while off-road. Do you think there’s a genuine advantage to installing the Icon Diff Drop kit on my vehicle? Will this cause other issues that I’m unaware of, or am I taking more risk by not running a diff drop with the lifted rig?

3” you want to reduce the CV axle angles & get them closer back to stock angles.. Add the drop - around $250 of insurance.

Also highly recommend the Dr. KDSS BOTCK to get your rear link back in horizontal alignment. Do a forum search if you’re not familiar with the mod.

 

[jrmudder]

Another one bites the dust.
This popped up on my instagram feed.
Also note looks like the driver side as well.

 

[Calokie]

Another one bites the dust.
This popped up on my instagram feed.
Also note looks like the driver side as well.

Yeah, we get to be part of this lol
Just like the 100 series guys and the busted front diffs

Guess it’s not as bad as the Tundra peeps

 

[GR8Santini]

Another one bites the dust.
This popped up on my instagram feed.
Also note looks like the driver side as well.

And reasonable to think more will break as the LC universe gets more miles, ages & is used more off road. Surprised how fast owners are scrambling for HD shafts after 1 video. Reminds me of the plywood aisle in a Home Depot before a hurricane.

 

[Area 51]

Maybe we admit and accept what they really are and intend to be.
I was in the Sierras today enjoying the LC not wanting anything more than it is intended to do.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Maybe we admit and accept what they really are and intend to be.
I was in the Sierras today enjoying the LC not wanting anything more than it is intended to do.
View attachment 72102

Or we all just enjoy them however we want.

 

[Area 51]

They are never going to be Jeep solid axle vehicles.
They are not trucks.

 

[b407driver]

I think everyone needs to come to terms with the reality of the LC250 and the 4Runner and Tacoma for that matter which I have also owned both. Toyotas in general from my experience do not like to be built up. Their suspensions from factory are weak overall and it’s a slippery slope once you start making changes.

Personally I’ve been very disappointed in the new LC250 since I bought mine, and this is just my opinion. I know most or all of you are very pleased with it and that’s great; I wish I was. I’m trying to force myself to enjoy it more but so far it feels like I bought a 70k Corolla that can kind of go off road a little. Nothing about this vehicle is beefy, solidly built or robust. I have seen some videos of it doing well off-road but it will never be what many of us want it to be. It’s an already expensive vehicle that doesn’t justify another 10k in suspension parts to make it great. Dare I say just by a Rubicon and call it a day if that’s your desire.

Do you wheel yours, and have you broken anything or been disabled?

I’m not saying the Rubicon and the culture around it is good. I’m just saying Toyota does not make a vehicle that truly does what a Jeep was designed to do...

I must have missed the part where we are assuming this is a jeep. Of course YouTubers are going to build things up, but I think few of us are assuming LC250s to be great rock crawlers.

 

[sweet5ltr]

I recently installed the BP-51 (3” lift) on my Land Cruiser. I’ve been running 35s with Icon wheels. After watching the video, I’m also wondering what I should do to extend the life of my CV axle and potentially protect it while off-road. Do you think there’s a genuine advantage to installing the Icon Diff Drop kit on my vehicle? Will this cause other issues that I’m unaware of, or am I taking more risk by not running a diff drop with the lifted rig?

Living on borrowed time wheeling it on 35's, buy some spares and learn how to swap them on the trail. Definitely need a differential drop kit.

 

[Area 51]

The Ed Martin video, Toyota DIY 2.5" lift kit for the 4Runner does include heavier duty, longer front CV axles as part of the kit.
Ther video compares them to the stock set.
Longer maybe wont fit a stock height vehicle???