The 2003–2009 Lexus GX470 (Toyota 120-series) uses independent front CV axles. The OEM axle features a fixed-length shaft with a male tripod inner joint and a conventional 8-ball (ball-type) outer joint. The Import Direct TO8088 axle is a standard-duty aftermarket replacement matching OEM dimensions. The TO8088ET (Extended Travel) axle adds a sliding (telescoping) center section and heavier-duty joints/boots for high articulation. The table below compares their key specifications side-by-side, and the sections that follow explain internal differences (joints/grease), boot construction, and ideal applications.
Specification Comparison
| Feature | OEM Axle (Toyota 43430-0C010) | Import Direct TO8088 (Standard) | Import Direct TO8088ET (Extended Travel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaft Diameter | ≈26.0 mm (≈1.03″)[1] | ≈26.0 mm (same spline fit as OEM)[1] | ≈26.0 mm (same spline fit as OEM) |
| Compressed Length | ≈709 mm[2] | 706 mm[3] | 706 mm[4] |
| Splines (In/Out) | 27 / 30[2] | 27 / 30[5] | 27 / 30[5] |
| Inboard Joint | Tripod (sliding tripod/roller CV, OEM style)[6] | Tripod (male tripod with rollers)[6] | 8-ball CV joint (caged ball CVJ, high-angle)[7] |
| Outboard Joint | Conventional ball-type CV[6] | Conventional ball-type CV[6] | 8-ball CV joint (caged ball CVJ)[7] |
| Boot Material | Neoprene rubber (OEM)[8] | Neoprene rubber[9] | Thermoplastic (high-flex polymer)[10] |
| Boot Design | OE-style bellows (dual-convolution)[8] | OE-style neoprene bellows[9] | Extra-long reinforced bellows (longer than stock)[11][10] |
| Travel Mechanism | Fixed-length shaft (no slider) | Fixed-length shaft | Sliding center shaft (+≈40 mm travel)[11][7] |
| Boot Clamps | Standard metal clamps (typically 1–2 per boot) | Standard metal clamps (OEM-style) | Heavy-duty stainless steel clamps (double per side)[10] |
| General Materials | Chromoly steel shaft & joint; factory neoprene | Steel shaft/joints; neoprene boots | Steel shaft/joints; thermoplastic boots[10] |
Most dimensions (splines, compressed length) are essentially identical for OEM vs TO8088 vs TO8088ET[2][5]. The key differences are in joint design and boots. The OEM and TO8088 use the Toyota-style inner tripod joint (27 splines, male-type) with a conventional 8-ball outer joint[6]. In contrast, the TO8088ET (Xtended Travel) uses caged 8-ball CV joints for both inner and outer joints[7], allowing much higher articulation.
Joint Construction & Internals
The OEM/TO8088 inboard joint is a tripod CV joint (three rollers on a tripod spider) that handles axial sliding but is limited to ~20–25° articulation[12]. The outboard is a standard ball (conventional) joint.
By contrast, the TO8088ET’s inner joint is a caged 8-ball CVJ (like those in many aftermarket “high-angle” axles), which allows up to roughly 47° operating angle[12]. This high-angle capability is critical when the suspension is lifted – it prevents joint binding. The TO8088ET has a visible “bulge” in the middle of the shaft that contains the sliding spline mechanism[11].
Under compression or extension of the suspension, this roller-spline section telescopes ≈40 mm farther than the fixed shaft, giving roughly 1.5–1.7″ more travel than stock[11][12]. The TO8088 standard shaft has no such slider and will bottom out under the same conditions.
All these axles are filled with high-temperature molybdenum-based grease (the factory OE-spec “moly” grease) and sealed in the CV joints. For example, GSP notes that their OE-replacement axles (same design as OEM) are “manufactured with specially formulated moly grease for optimal performance at high temperatures”[13]. The aftermarket TO8088 and TO8088ET arrive pre-greased similarly. In other words, the type of grease (high-temp moly-thickened) is comparable across OEM and aftermarket, so lubrication performance is essentially equal.
Boot Design & Durability
Boots differ significantly between the axles. OEM and TO8088 use the standard neoprene bellows design (dual- or triple-convolution rubber boots) like the factory[8][9]. These are adequate for normal angles but can crack or tear under extreme articulation or abrasion. The TO8088ET axles use much heavier-duty boots: TrakMotive (which makes the XT axles) specifies thermoplastic (TPE) boots that resist punctures and abrasion[10]. These boots are longer and have more convolutions to cover the telescoping section. They also use extra-large stainless-steel clamps for a tight seal[10]. In practice, the ET inner boot is noticeably extended (much longer than OEM) to allow the slide, whereas the outer boot is similar in length to stock.
Some users note that installing the extended boot can be challenging. For example, one Tundra owner reports that the TO8088ET’s “extended travel inner boot” can be difficult to seal perfectly[14]. Proper assembly (clamping in the right position) is important; a loose boot will leak grease and shorten joint life. By contrast, the simpler OEM-style boots on TO8088 are easier to fit but simply cannot accommodate extreme angles. Overall, the ET’s boot design is more robust for off-road use, but both OEM and TO8088 rely on neoprene (which can dry out over years)[8].
Performance and Application Suitability
The OEM (and TO8088) axles are intended for stock-height use. Import Direct explicitly labels TO8088 as “Standard Duty – Not for use with lifted or modified suspensions”[15]. In other words, a stock or lightly modified GX470 (daily driver, occasional mild off-road) should be fine with a TO8088 axle, which simply replaces the factory unit. These should last roughly the same as OEM if properly installed, though higher-mileage vehicles often develop boot wear. (Many owners find that genuine Lexus/Prado axles or premium aftermarket CVJ units outlast generic axles[16].)
By contrast, the TO8088ET is explicitly designed for lifted and off-road use[17]. Its high-angle joints and extra travel let you run ~2–3″ (or more) of front lift with less risk of CV bind. In practice, installers use ET axles on lifted 4Runners/Tundras/GX470s especially when a differential drop is not feasible. One forum user notes that after installing a 2.5″ lift and a diff drop, the TO8088ET held up well on his Tundra[14]. For moderate lifts, the ET axles are a much cheaper alternative to fully built CVJ axles (and come without core charges). They are best used in pairs (always replace both sides at once) and are recommended for any off-road or lifted application.
Summary: For a 2007 GX470 on stock suspension, the OEM-style axle or the Import Direct TO8088 will match factory specs (neoprene boots, tripod inner joint) and is suitable for street/DH use[15]. For a lifted GX470 (off-roading or high wheel travel), the TO8088ET extended-travel axles (with telescoping shaft and 8-ball joints) are a better choice[17][7]. However, note that higher articulation axles still depend on a good boot seal; many recommend premium brands (or OEM axles from Toyota) for ultimate durability[16][14].
Sources: Manufacturer datasheets and parts catalogs for Toyota/Import Direct[2][15]; TrakMotive technical sheets[7][10]; and user forum reports (Tundra/IH8MUD) on extended-travel CV axles[11][14].
References
- www.ebay.com/itm/176804425786#:~:text=Shaft%20Diameter%2026
- www.finditparts.com/products/4650407/gsp-auto-parts-north-america-inc-ncv69158?srsltid=AfmBOooBLam2G5a0aa9KcwAprpry9Rj7CLAtBaeyQyocugTxd213hd5q#:~:text=Compressed%20Length%2027,ABS%20Tone%20Ring%20Included%20No
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=Axle%20Nut%20Head%20Type%3A%20%C2%A0,Hex
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=Axle%20Nut%20Thread%20Size%3A%20%C2%A0,1.50
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=Number%20Of%20Inboard%20Splines%3A%20%C2%A0,27
- www.finditparts.com/products/4650407/gsp-auto-parts-north-america-inc-ncv69158?srsltid=AfmBOooBLam2G5a0aa9KcwAprpry9Rj7CLAtBaeyQyocugTxd213hd5q#:~:text=Inboard%20Joint%20Type%20Male%20Outboard,ABS%20Tone%20Ring%20Included%20No
- www.trakmotive.com/products/automotive-cv-axles/xtended-travel/#:~:text=TrakMotive%E2%80%99s%20New%20Xtended%20Travel%E2%84%A2%20CV,road%20and%20lifted%20applications
- www.finditparts.com/products/4650407/gsp-auto-parts-north-america-inc-ncv69158?srsltid=AfmBOooBLam2G5a0aa9KcwAprpry9Rj7CLAtBaeyQyocugTxd213hd5q#:~:text=Outboard%20Joint%20Type%20Conventional%20Boot,ABS%20Tone%20Ring%20Included%20No
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=Axle%20Bolt%20Hex%20Size%20,13mm
- www.trakmotive.com/products/automotive-cv-axles/xtended-travel/#:~:text=,clamps%20and%20increased%20corrosion%20resistance
- www.tundras.com/threads/do-high-angle-cv%E2%80%99s-negate-the-need-for-a-diff-drop.103288/#:~:text=,is%20the%20sliding%20mechanism
- www.trakmotive.com/products/automotive-cv-axles/xtended-travel/#:~:text=%23%208,inner%20joint%20on%20many%20applications
- www.finditparts.com/products/4650407/gsp-auto-parts-north-america-inc-ncv69158?srsltid=AfmBOooBLam2G5a0aa9KcwAprpry9Rj7CLAtBaeyQyocugTxd213hd5q#:~:text=,rolled%20for%20precise%20durable%20fitment
- www.tundras.com/threads/front-cv-axles-for-2-5-lift.106659/#:~:text=,
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=CV%20Axle%20Shaft%20%C2%A0%20New%3B,Or%20Modified%20Suspensions%3B%20Standard%20Duty
- forum.ih8mud.com/threads/cv-axle-recommendation.1328918/#:~:text=Yea%2C%20sorry%20for%20your%20experiences,like%20this%20about%20non%20OE
- www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/cv--driveshaft---axle/cv-half-shaft---axle-shaft/7acfacd27274/v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra#:~:text=CV%20Axle%20Shaft%20%C2%A0%20New%3B,Road%3B%20Replace%20In%20Pairs