Diff. Drop

Is there a thread somewhere discussing front differential drops?

After really testing out my new suspension. I will say when the front is flexed out the cv angle is hard. Doesn't viberate or grind when in motion though. So I was thinking bout drop kits.

Why not just use washers and longer bolts to achieve the desired cv angle then go to a machine shop and have them make a spacer from the washers?

I see how there are alot of negative opinions on diff drops, but they all seem to only come it one size(1")
When your still gain improvement from say a .5" drop

 

If the ribs on the boot aren't touching when sitting level, it will be fine. They will touch in stock form as the suspension travels. That's normal.

 

But since my setup has a good bit of travel when fully extended is what im talking about.

 

Mine technically touch, at like midway up the creases. And Im only at 2.5 inches of lift. I think I have close to 15,000 miles so far on the lift…no split boots yet…. Hopefully that’s not gonna happen, but I would imagine Ill get less life out of them. I dont think I want to do a diff drop though. I think bad CVs are a better risk than possible risks to the diff.

 

I’ve got a diff drop. After 24k miles, so far no issues. A friend has a similar lift with no diff drop and her CV angles are significantly more than mine.

 

Back in the 2nd gen Tacoma days, a guy over on tacomaworld had a custom skid plate made to fit over his diff drop. The skid plate had the stupidest design where there were little squares hanging down covering the diff drop mount. Naturally, guy skid over something and the poorly designed skid plate caught, ripping the diff drop and differential out of the truck. The conclusion (wrongly) was that the diff drop caused the problem, not the retarded custom skid. People far and wide parroted this story and the diff drop became controversial.

I've never seen a diff drop cause any problems. I also haven't seen lack of one cause problems either. My Tacoma had one, my 4Runner doesn't. Neither had CV issues with 2-3" of lift.

 

Save time and money by skipping it.

 

I don’t see why you couldn’t use half inch spacers from something else as long as they are wide enough and you use the right bolts. I’ve had lifted trucks with and without diff drop & *knock wood never had trouble with either, fortunately.

 

Most, if not all diff drop spacers are 1" and claim there good for 2"-4" of lift.

I have 2.5" of lift in the front, and with the dobinson coils and jba uca, which increase my down travel. I'm thinking that a .5" spacer couldn't hurt and it will help with the lift and the increase travel. Not concerned about the skids fitting, I could always fab up something at work

 

I have one with diff drop and one without. Honestly….does not make a huge difference at all. The CV shaft angle on one with 3/2 lift and diff drop is 7 degrees. The CV shaft angle on one with 2.5/1.5 lift is 5 degrees. 1/2” height difference and only 2 degree difference in shaft angles even though diff supposed to be 1/2”-1” lower with drop kit.