Front Drive Shaft Replacement

I need to change out the front drive shaft on my Tacoma which has rusted away. I'm talking about the smaller front one for the 4WD. I've never changed out a drive shaft before so was just wondering about the difficulty and what I should know to complete the job. I have 2008 SR5 Sport 4WD in a 6SP manual. Appreciate any help. I left a link to the drive shaft I purchased

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8020628&cc=1441488&jsn=443

 

You already bought it huh? I dont trust many things Dorman. Here, I would not trust their choice of u-joints. For a how-to video, I remember coming across one on u-tube.

 

Yeah thanks I had just watched that video, pretty much covers everything. I figured Dorman would be better than the drive shaft costing $100 less on Rock Auto. I only saw those two options. Probably won't see much use anyway as I don't use the 4WD too often. What would you recommend instead of Dorman?

 

If you are not going to use 4WD much, and you already have it, throw it in.
Keep it greased and don’t worry too much about it.
The drive shaft doesn’t turn unless you are in 4WD.

 

Sure it's not an auto-manual? Auto-manuals have different driveshaft.

 

Yeah it's a regular 6 speed manual

 

I know it's not a big deal, but if Dorman is really that bad for drive shafts I can still cancel the order. Hasn't shipped yet. Any recommendations?

 

I'm seeing 275 for the dorman one on Rock Auto. A new toyota one is $255 https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~shaft~assy~propeller~front~37140-04050.html

I'm seeing $50 for a used one on car-part.com

 

If these had manual locking hubs, then this would be correct, but on Tacomas those CV axles are spinning all the time, just not under load.


To OP:There is a lot of you tube vids that are helpful out there. I’ve done mine more than once. It’s pretty straight forward. I’d suggest looking up the torque spec guide available on tacomaworld(sorry don’t have the link handy) I’m one or those that torques everything to factory specs.

 

Thanks hoarder I'm going to cancel and get the one from Toyota. Appreciate the link

 

For a 12 year old truck with rust issues I'd go with a used one from the southwest. $100 shipped will get you one that will outlive your frame

 

How rusted is it. Get a quote from a driveline shop. They may be able to clean it, paint it, and install new u-joints for less than a new one.

 

Not sure exactly why you're replacing it, but I would have probably just replaced the u-joints. Also confused because you say you have a Pre-Runner (which is a 2WD) but also say it's a 4WD and ordered a front drive shaft. So I assume it's not a Pre-Runner.

Jeff

 

Used or I would sand and paint and install/get new U joints. Cheap way to go.

 

Appreciate all the suggestions, I'm going to look for something used and cheap this time. The old drive shaft is just too heavily rusted