What Replacement Parts Must be Toyota?

[Brian R.]

What replacement parts must be Toyota to really get original equipment performance from them (not high-performance or modified parts)? Compare the Toyota parts with the best available non-OEM parts, not junk.

Here are a few that I think fall under this category:
Brake pads/Shoes
Windshield Wiper Inserts
Shock absorbers/struts
Gaskets

Anyone else have some suggestions from experience?

[havic]

I just had a tune up done and my mechanic these parts should be from the Toyota:

spark plugs
wire set
fuel filter
transmission filter
gear oil for transfer case and differential

[Brian R.]

Thanks for the post. I don't agree with the gear oil thing. There are alot of good gear oils. Much the same as motor oils. There are differences, but they mostly do the same job.

[C-DUBYA]

Unless you have an auto you can get fluid from anywhere cause the dealers only use bulk oil anyways. As long as you run the proper weight you can use anything, i recommend a full synthetic like Royal Purple, Castrol, or Amsoil in your diffs and tranfer case, especially if you off-road it.

[Brian R.]

Agreed, synthetics are considered the best for severe-duty applications.

[VTISC007]

Hoses are always a perfect fit from Toyota and they seem to last longer. Along with spark plug wires, the cap and rotor. Aftermarket companies such as Bosch, come close to being a perfect fit, but they're not. For the money you spend on good aftermarket stuff, you can many times get original equipment parts for about the same price, maybe even a little less, and it fits like it's supposed to. I also use all toyota parts on the timing belt components.....pullies, seals, water pump, belt, tensioners.

Since I'm keeping my truck, she's getting nothing but the best.

If I had a truck that I was going to sell in a year or two, I would go with Korean parts to save money. Nothing against Koreans, I love their women and their food.

[dafried1]

Hi All.

I just replaced the heads on my rig and I bought the factory gasket set from my local Toyota stealer. It was only a bout $20 more than buying similar aftermarkets, but it included tons more stuff. In addition to proper head gaskets etc, I received unexpected stuff like the seals for my timing belt covers.

Anyone tackling a job like new heads (which is common on 3vz) should get the dealers full gasket set. It does come as a prepackaged set.

Hope this helps someone.

[Ski Krazy]

I use only Toyota oil filters - Frams are junk, Pureolator aren't bad, but the Toyota filter is the best. Compare the difference in the color of the oil at 3500 miles with each filter. To check out all filters use Google and search for "oil filter study".

[Brian R.]

So then, the question is... Who makes Toyota oil filters?

[Ski Krazy]

I don't know who makes these filters but they must have a higher micron rating by the looks of the oil at 3500 miles.

[VTISC007]

I put in a Fram Fuel filter a few years back. I wonder, is that junk too or is it only a Fram oil filter thing. I guess my next fuel filter will be a Toyota filter unless I could find something better.