Differential DROP kit?

When do you need a differential drop kit?

I am looking to do Bilstein 6112 or 5100s upfront probably next year on middle setting. I wish to raise up 1.9 inches and get close to a PRO height.

I have read 3 competing threads basically saying you need to get a diff drop kit if you go over 3 inch lift. The DDkit will apparently prevent premature failure of cv joints. However, some members measured the cv angles and said DDkit does absolutely nothing. Also, the PRO does not run a DDkit.

I am asking because I want to get a RCI skid. However, I do not know which one to get with or without the differential drop kit?

I guess I could get the RCI skid without the drop kit and later when I put on the Bilsteins get spacers for it later?

Just curious. Any help would be great. Keep drivin’ Be safe...

 

I installed dd on my 3.5” lift. I can’t imagine how aggressive the cv angles would be without it. For the $100 it costs I wouldn’t consider not installing it for insurance.

 

I would run a DD with any lift over stock to get your CV angles back to factory. Like @2ndgenny said, it's worth it just for the insurance

 

Yes sir, I see thanks for that input.
Just looking to raise the front and stuff a bigger tire on. I don’t want to regear but move up from 275 70r18 to a 28570r18 (ridge grappler)or 285 75r18.

 

I could by wrong (so please feel free to correct me), but the TRD Pro doesn't have one and it is lifted ~2" on the front.

 

You totally could be right! I don't know any of the specs for the trd pro, its too far out of my price range lol. I was basically saying that nothing bad will come from installing the DD kit. Or at least I've never heard of anything bad happening because someone installed a DD kit.

 

Cheap insurance easy to install. The closer to neutral you can get the axles the better.

 

Not necessary at 1.9”. Pro doesn’t run it, you don’t need to either.

 

I agree with the other statements that it’s not needed with 1.9” of lift. Like the others said, the Pro doesn’t have one even with 2” of lift.

 

If you do the diff drop, it tilts the differential. Recommend checking the fluid level after the drop, as it will now read low. Top off to the fill threads as you would normally using the correct fluid. This is to insure everything stays lubricated properly.

 

Nice, good advice

 

Have had 5100s on the middle setting on my '10 since new, just over 10 years old, 60k miles, no diff drop and have not had any issues.

 

I just had a shop here in Las Vegas install 3” Eibach coilovers ( only getting 2.25” lift actually with stock tires). I had asked the shop about installing a dd. They strongly recommended against it as it now angles the diff so the pinion bearing does not get lubrication leading to premature failure that will lighten your wallet to the tune of $500-$600. They said they have never had any cv joint issues on any 2-3” lifts and not using a dd. They said even if They did it would be cheaper and easier to deal with cv boots/joints than tearing down a diff for rebuild.

 

No need for diff drop didn’t run one on my old tacos and don’t on my tundra, don’t see the point. What will ruin your cvs will be that you put them at to high of angle and the boots rub through shooting grease out, so lift to the point the boot rubs don’t touch or do different boots on the cv

 

Has anyone here had the pinion failure while running the diff drop?

 

My tuff country 2" leveling kit came with a differential drop kit.

https://www.tuffcountry.com/leveling-kits/toyota/

 

I see I'm hitting on an old thread but am curious about this statement. Anybody know if the front differential and cv axles are identical from the pro to other tundras which I suppose would suggest that the pros are running the cv axles at the same angles that other tundras would be with up to a 2" lift in the front?

 

it's the exact same. no need for a diff drop kit. i have little over 3" lift on fox 2.5's and 37s and don't run one. 20k miles no issues. you loose ground clearance and its less than a degree of difference on the cv boot. all it does is tilt the diff to the rear and doesn't do much to help. it's useless but lots of guys run it just because.

the pic is distorted due to the lens and makes my tires look weird, but you can see the cv angle where i'm at.

 

Was advised the same when I had Westcott Designs put in my TRD Pro Fox suspension with their collar lift (raising it higher than a stock TRD Pro)…my truck actually had a DD from the prior owner with Bilstein 5100’s on highest setting. They actually recommended and removed the DD as they said it doesn’t do anything for the lift height (~3-3.5”) other than tilt the dif and is far more likely to cause premature wearing/failure of the pinion bearing than any negligible gain to the cv angles. Also said it defeats purpose of the lift just to reduce clearance gains with the DD.

 

I have a 3” suspension lift and also researched that diff drop isn’t really a drop, just a tilt. Fluid is also adversely affected in not lubing parts properly. 20000 miles since 3” lift and I’ve had 0 issues or evidence of premature wear. Oh and you also lose clearance with drop.

 

There was a thread a few years ago on here where someone installed one and measured the cv angle before and after with an angle finder and it basically was the same

 

Just had 4 wheel parts in reno install a leveling kit, using Bilstein 5100 shocks. They told me the Diff. drop kit is a must if I plan to keep my truck.
They Lift about 100 trucks a year and been in business for over 20yrs. I would think they know what there are doing. The Diff. drop kit only cost $30.39. Good insurance.

 

For the amount of lift that you're getting, may be not necessary. I had it both ways. I installed it my previous Tundra it and opted out of installing it in my current Sequoia do to it being a pain to install. I might install it in spring, since I am wanting to add another inch of lift.

 

For what it's worth, the stock TRD Pro's are lifted about 2" on the front to level out from the factory and even Toyota doesn't use a diff drop. It's not necessary, but doesn't hurt either way though I guess..

 

I can't remember if it was total chaos, fox, or accutune, but someone who's name carries weight said not to do it for coilover lifts and I never thought about it again.

 

I'll look in my garage but I think I still have a brand new diff drop kit sitting in a box if someone needs one. I'll post pics of it if someone is looking for one.