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Purpose of differential drops?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Eclipsed & Floating, Mar 19, 2017.

  1. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:06 PM
    #1
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Can someone help me understand the point behind dropping the differential?

    What is the purpose, and how does it affect your truck?

    TIY
     
    SouthBoundSteve likes this.
  2. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:15 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Helps with cv shaft angles and gets them closer to stock to prevent premature wear.
     
  3. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:23 PM
    #3
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Can i assume that the higher the lift and bigger tires the more you would benefit from dropping the diff? If so, is that something than the layman can do?
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:26 PM
    #4
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    Yeah. Conventional wisdom is that they are needed for anything over 2.5. Easy thing to do if you can handle a wrench. Definitely not worth paying someone else to do.
     
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  5. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:27 PM
    #5
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    DO you know if there is a DIY thread on here anywhere?
     
  6. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:29 PM
    #6
    Eclipsed & Floating

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    I can handle a wrench, but i want to know what i'm looking at and what the outcome is if i twist THAT bolt or nut
     
  7. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:34 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Instructions come with the kits. Very straight forward. I wouldn't be surprised if it took you longer to remove the skid plate.
     
  8. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:35 PM
    #8
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    sure. here it is.

    1) remove skid plate
    2) put a jack underneath diff
    3) remove bolts
    4) lower diff by about 1"
    5) slide in spacers
    6) reinstall bolts
    7) remove jack
    8) reinstall skid plate.

    really, after step 1 slide under there and take a look. It will become quite obvious.
     
  9. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:40 PM
    #9
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Thank you so much!! After hearing that it might prevent premature wear and tear i'm certainly in the mind set to get it done. I can handle this. Again, thanks for heads up.
     
  10. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:41 PM
    #10
    TheBeast

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  11. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:41 PM
    #11
    Eclipsed & Floating

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    Any suggestion as to which kit i should go with, or are they all pretty similar?
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:42 PM
    #12
    ColoradoTJ

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    ToyTec sells a nice kit for under 30.00.
     
  13. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:42 PM
    #13
    TheBeast

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  14. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:42 PM
    #14
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    np. Definitely a big return for a small investment. Did you raise the rear? If so, you may need to consider a carrier bearing drop kit as well. even easier to do, since you don't have to mess with the skid plate.
     
  15. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:43 PM
    #15
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  16. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:44 PM
    #16
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    I raised the rear up 1 inch and then put 35's on.
     
  17. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:48 PM
    #17
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    OK. so the deal there is, you may notice a subtle vibration when taking off from a stop. Should that happen, it is because the two pieces of your driveshaft are no longer in alignment. A carrier bearing drop kit adds spacers to realign the drive shaft halves.
     
    Law323 likes this.
  18. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:52 PM
    #18
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    I haven't noticed a vibration. I haven't noticed anything out of the norm....yet.

    So, here's a question...does the truck work harder to turn those big tires with it lifted, and if so, is there anything else i need to worry about with that size tire? This is the first lift i've ever had and obviously the largest tire. Ive been through numerous Tacomas and Tundras but never lifted. What else to i need to maintain outside the suspension?
     
  19. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:54 PM
    #19
    ColoradoTJ

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    I didn't like how the diff was tilted forward either. I was going to get another spacer and drop the back down as well, or do something. I removed the kit, and then my front diff had to be swapped out, so I never put it back in. The truck was sold a few months later.
     
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  20. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:58 PM
    #20
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    The short answer is yes. Those tires are likely a lot heavier than the stock ones. In addition, they may, depending on the tread pattern, create additional rolling resistance. That said, my butt-dyno didn't notice any difference at all. There are those who say they CAN feel the difference, but maybe my old ass is numb.

    Changing tire diameter also changes your effective drive ratio which likely means your speedometer, odometer and MPG meter are now lying to you. Hyper-tech makes a speedometer calibrator module that will "tune" your speedometer to compensate for the effective gear change.
     
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  21. Mar 20, 2017 at 5:42 AM
    #21
    ColoradoTJ

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    Yes Steve, I didn't like how the front diff was tilted down (or pinion up), and it really wasn't necessary on a .75" lift. (Just like Jason B stated in another thread. He makes sense of it there)

    The needle bearing on the drivers side went out. It is a crappy design. This bearing supports the axle shaft going into the differential. Toyota did design another needle bearing that is supposed to be better. ECGS makes a bushing that resolves this issue. With the tool, bushing, and seal it costs ~185.00. Toyota recommended using the ECGS bushing, and would install it, but didn't want to warranty the labor or part. So I had the choice of either spending 50.00 on my deductible from the extended warranty and have Toyota swap out the 2400.00 front diff or pay Toyota ~500.00 plus parts to install the bearingless bushing. At this point I was pretty sure I was going back to a diesel.....so I handed them 50.00 and said "have at it boys. Call me when it's done."
    The first dealership replaced the wheel bearing hub, and I told them this wasn't the problem. I used our rather expensive IR gun at work after highway speeds and the bearing was cooler than the other side. Toyota tried charging me 1000.00 for that as well, but at that time didn't know I had Toyotacare.

    Fun times. So for 100.00, I received a new front differential and wheel bearing. Lol.
     
    SouthBoundSteve likes this.
  22. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:24 PM
    #22
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    Mark, I've got a diff drop you can have. It came with a spacer kit, I got one from Toytec. Theirs is nicer, it's not quite as thick and solid billet. The free one composite.
     
  23. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:32 PM
    #23
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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  24. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:32 PM
    #24
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Awesome!! Thanks for the offer.
    Is it worth having or should I get the ToyTec? If it's decent and it'll save me some $$ then I can drive to Evergreen sometime this weekend and meet up with you if you're available. If it's not good quality I might purchase one. I'm not exactly sparing expenses on this truck.

    Again, if it's decent I'll take it
     
  25. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:40 PM
    #25
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    It seems descent, the longer bolts are solid and the same diameter as factory. I thought it was a little thick for my 2.5" lift. Let's ask @ColoradoTJ if the composite is ok. I'll snap a pic for you. It's out in my shed.
     
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  26. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:42 PM
    #26
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Yeah @ColoradoTJ ...help us out!
     
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  27. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:43 PM
    #27
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating [OP] Over it.........

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    Where in evergreen are you? Closer to 70 or Conifer?
     
  28. Mar 22, 2017 at 7:56 PM
    #28
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    They're 1 3/16 thick20170322_205455.jpg
     
  29. Mar 22, 2017 at 8:00 PM
    #29
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    I've got the spacers for the skid plate to. I should be around this weekend. Do you take I-70 or 285, I'm closer to 285.
     
  30. Mar 22, 2017 at 8:47 PM
    #30
    ColoradoTJ

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    I don't see why the composite drops would be any less than the aluminum. Most body lifts are composite spacers. I have never seen one fail, and I have some under my rocker guards currently, and the 1/4" plate steel has bent before the spacers had any issues.
     

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