Are all the u-joints on 4x4 the same?

Thinking of replacing them all at once. Wondering if rear and front shaft have same u-joints.

 

Yes- the front and rear are the same. The double Cardan (in the middle of the rear drive shaft) is different, and they are considered non-replaceable. Together, you'd be looking at replacing 4 u-joints.

Watch the Timmy video on replacing u-joints. They are fairly simple, BUT, you do have to account for the tapered yokes.

Do the front first as a trial run. If you mess that one up, it's a lot easier (cheaper) to replace.

 

make sure you dont forget to put the retain clips on. Ive seen people and shops forget just one of them and that U joint will fail quick

 

The u-joints on your drive shaft should be the same, but they are not the same for all Tacoma drive shafts. These links should help:

Look at Gunrunner269 's post with a chart on https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-spicer-u-joint-part-s.529657/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/u-joint-replacement-tutorial-needed.453021/

 

The double cardan joints are replaceable, but you need to order them from this one place that has them in stock

 

Sure- here is the one thread that I know of about this: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/double-cardan-u-joint-teardown-02-tacoma-177712/ Somewhere there is a part number in there (Rockford driveline u-joint part # 2540 fits this application). But even for the better-equipped garages out there, this is a hard job. The thread shows the guy making his own slide hammer to weld to the double cardan bearing caps to remove them. I think if you're going to suggest something is replaceable, then ya gotta make sure you paint the whole picture.

 

From the videos I watched and the write ups I read, rebuilding the cardan joint is a difficult task - more than I want to attempt. I had my double cardan joint replaced at the local drive line shop. He cut off the old and welding on a new one, then rebalanced the drive shaft.

 

There is more complete BS about Toyota DC joints than Tea in China and a lot of it comes from "lesser" driveline shops.

Years ago I talked that guy on Yotatech (Rockford 2540) thru the job over the net along with several others from this and other forums.

It's not hard if you are good and comfortable with a regular u-joint. No need to weld anything and the only really helpful tool is a Binford TYS2000 (Toyota Yoke Support). The chief issue is understanding just how it's done cause it is a different process than regular joints and there's a couple of "tricks". Thru the years there are two types of joints (inside and outside clip) and two sizes of centering ball. Now you can also get steel or bronze ball races, Toyota uses bronze.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/double-cardan-joint.273119/#post-6745013
Edit, looks like the link to the "washer trick" on 4x4wire (in above link) is not working. If it is really dead I will add the "trick" to the write up in a day or so.

TYS 2000, simple to make at home.

 

Wait are you sure about that? I know they sell the literal u-joint that belongs in the double cardan joint, which gets replaced like any other u-joint. I’ve always thought the issue was that almost every auto parts store out there, didn’t sell them.

 

Check this out, let me know if I’m wrong about this.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/repairing-my-driveshaft-what-to-know.760703/#post-27117449