Should lower ball joints be replaced based on time for low millage trucks?

Should lower ball joints be replaced based on time for low millage trucks?
06 DC with 82K. They were replaced by the dealer in 2008 at 8K (recall).
So 16 years old with 74K.
Should I replace them?
Thanks for reading.

 

I’d do them with each timing belt change. Add a radiator to that and every 9-10yrs or 90-100k miles, you’ve got your “big service” that covers all the bases.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I replaced the radiator, all hoses, timing belt and all components, and water pump on 09-2016 at 51K.
I only drive it about 2500 miles/year so do I wait a 7 more years?
Time sure is flying by.

 

I replaced mine after lifting the truck at ~77k miles. Mine, like yours, have been done around the 10k mile mark many years ago.

The grease in mine was definitely aged, and there was almost no detectable play, but that seems to be the norm for OEM LBJ, they're build all-metal internals so it would seem until you wear out the brass bushing inside, there won't be much slop.

Given how low the cost is and how easy replacing them is, and how catastrophic failure damage can be, I intend to do mine every 100k miles and 10 years, as I'll do with my timing belt.

But, with a caveat. For my LBJ, I mark my bolts so I can see where they were clocked, and check the marks every oil change, and check for play at every wheel rotation. Likewise, I've gotten in the habit of pulling back the timing cover and inspecting the belt every other oil change.

There are a few things that are killers of these trucks which I personally believe should be "proactive maintenance items":

• Radiator - Pink milkshake is real; replace every 100k with genuine Denso radiator; if the top cap of the radiator is tannish or mottled (it should be charcoal grey-brown), it's old, swap
• Timing Belt/Water pump/tensioners/pulleys - Toyota says 90k/9yr ***IF*** you're using OEM parts (Aisin brand, or Toyota direct), but I'd be confident you can go 100k/10yr with OEM parts. Rubber belts age and crack with time and lack of use
• Lower balljoints - I'd probably recommend a 100k-125k replacement schedule, only use OEM, and refresh the bolts each time