I've tried searching the forums and lots of great info on Aisin hubs here, but I'm curious if anyone has any experience with NEW Aisin "aftermarket" locking hubs that can be purchased from various parts retailers. Are they equal in quality to OEM Toyota hubs that came on these trucks from the factory? I can't find information anywhere with regards to where these new Aisin hubs are manufactured.

 

So I went ahead and ordered the hubs from RockAuto and I can at least confirm they are made in Japan. For my 1995 4Runner with IFS, the Aisin part number is FHT-018. They were $120 CAN each which is about $95 USD.

 

The ones available on new 4Runners bitd may have been slightly better, but I'd imagine the ones Aisin supplies to Toyota these days as a replacement part are fairly comparable to the ones they sell as aftermarket.
The only reason why I can think suppliers may have made parts used in assembly of new vehicles of better quality than ones sold as a replacement part is the cost exposure if it fails under warranty. If a Aisin hub was to fail on a newer vehicle and the dealer replaces it under warranty, Toyota pays the dealer for the parts and labor(including a mark up on the part).Toyota than turns around and submits the bill to the vendor for reimbursement, including all the associated labor costs. And as we all know, parts manufacturers just cringe anytime a consumer asks about paying labor costs on a failed part.

 

So Jimkola you're thinking they are at least as good?
PhillipeW how'd they work out?

 

I’d think it be pretty much the same. Unlike a new vehicle warranty, the Toyota parts a dealer sells only has a 1 year warranty, so the exposure risk to Aisin is much less. So I’d think the parts Aisin supplies to Toyota would be pretty much the same as their aftermarket line when it comes to older vehicles.

I really like Aisin and Denso. They need to be profitable, and they like making money like everyone else, but they still seem to focus on quality and durability.

 

I can't speak for the hubs, but the Aisin brake master cylinder I bought a few years ago was the same casting as the Genuine Toyota part with the word "Toyota" ground off because it was being sold by Aisin and not through Toyota.

 

Same here. Also had that on my timing cover, along with the clutch master and release cylinders.

 

I haven't installed them yet but the look and feel give me the impression they are good quality. Not much to go on I know. I will try to follow up once I have had a chance to test them out on the trail.

The only thing that I can think of that could potentially be different between an Aisin part supplied to Toyota or to the aftermarket would be tolerances. By that I mean if a part didn't meet the machining/performance tolerances set out by Toyota, they could sell it to the aftermarket with more "relaxed" tolerances. This is complete speculation on my part though. Even if this were true, I still feel like a part made in Japan by a company like Aisin should be of good quality.