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When is a diff drop needed?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by ChadGrissom, Mar 19, 2017.

  1. Mar 19, 2017 at 4:48 PM
    #1
    ChadGrissom

    ChadGrissom [OP] New Member

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    Hey all, so I have a 2.5" level with 5100s, currently I'm running Toyo OC 295/65R20's on XD Misfit 20x9's with a 0 offset, here shortly I'm going to have the body mounts chopped and capped with Relentless Offroad plates to get rid of the rub I experience at 75-85% turn, my question is if the CMC/BMC is done and there's still a slight rub, and I add a spacer to lift the front of the truck another inch to get the necessary clearance, will I have to also do a diff drop? I've already trimmed the bumper and fender walls for the necessary clearance, last hang up is the body mounts, I'm thinking worst case here...Thanks in advance
    untitled.jpg untitled1.jpg
     
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  2. Mar 19, 2017 at 4:59 PM
    #2
    rons23

    rons23 Get The Led Out!!!

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    Nice looking Tundra Chad. With a 2.5" lift most here would say no. Once you start getting into the 3" or more range, then you would need them. 4wd only.
     
  3. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:06 PM
    #3
    ChadGrissom

    ChadGrissom [OP] New Member

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    Ok that was my understanding, I don't have the Bilsteins maxed out, and if the BMC/CMC isn't successful then the next step will be spacers and with them also the diff drop, I'm fairly new to all of this so I appreciate the input brother!!!
     
  4. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:09 PM
    #4
    rons23

    rons23 Get The Led Out!!!

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    Anytime Chad, there's a wealth of information on here. It's helped me a lot.
     
  5. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:28 PM
    #5
    Thegr8punkin

    Thegr8punkin A G.D.M/Sofa King Cool/COTJ's dreamboat

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    The diff drop isn't a bad thing to do anyways though. It helps correct the angle of the cv joint and most guys will say it's cheep insurance agenst a prematurely cv.
     
    Law323 likes this.
  6. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:33 PM
    #6
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    Diff drop is a terrible thing on 2nd/3rd gens. It tips the opposite side of the pinion down which moves the oil away from the pinion gear and bearing and the fill plug lower. Which means you not only can't fill the pumpkin the whole way, but you are directly moving gear oil away from the pinion. This is how pinion bearings get welded to the pinion shaft and make a sound similar to a gerbil getting fucked by an elephant.

    Not only that, it does nothing. Seriously, put an angle finder on the CV before and after the drop. There is zero change in the cv angle.
     
  7. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:43 PM
    #7
    ChadGrissom

    ChadGrissom [OP] New Member

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    so it isn't necessary to do with a 2.5" level + 1"ish spacer?
     
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  8. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:48 PM
    #8
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    It's never necessary. Seriously, put an angle finder on the cv and then unbolt the two front mounts and measure again.
     
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  9. Mar 19, 2017 at 5:51 PM
    #9
    TheBeast

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    good to know
     
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  10. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:48 PM
    #10
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating Over it.........

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    SO are you saying that everyone is doing it for no reason? What's this i hear about premature wear that dropping it will remedy? Is this a farce??
     
  11. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:55 PM
    #11
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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  12. Mar 19, 2017 at 10:01 PM
    #12
    Thegr8punkin

    Thegr8punkin A G.D.M/Sofa King Cool/COTJ's dreamboat

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    Depends who you ask I guess. I personally have seen enough trucks that had lifts and blew out cv axles by putting too much of an angle on the cv boot (then the boot rips and let's all the grease out and then blows the cv joint) that I would say it's just good to do, though I get the point about saying it can screw with how the pinion gets lubricanted but then again, why would dealership be allowed to install them if that was a concern? You would think that after Toyota had to replace a few front diffs they would start a tas case on it and then no more diffs drops would be installed...

    @ColoradoTJ how did you blow your front diff?
    Any oppion on this @LOTSOFTOYS ?
     
  13. Mar 19, 2017 at 10:08 PM
    #13
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    The craptastic needle bearing on the drivers side started failing. It is a common Toyota problem with an easy(ish) fix. Toyota recommended said fix, would install part, but no warranty and I would have to pay for labor. So I paid my 50.00, and they put a new front diff in.

    I know when it happened though. I was towing the camper, 4lo, up a darn steep hill.
     
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  14. Mar 19, 2017 at 10:53 PM
    #14
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Thanks Jason. Looks like I'll be pulling my diff drop back out.
     
  15. Apr 23, 2017 at 11:30 PM
    #15
    geno0506

    geno0506 New Member

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    Did you take it off and put the stock parts back on, I'm thinking of doing the same after looking at the way the rubber spacers were leaning and squishing to one side!
     
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  16. Apr 23, 2017 at 11:35 PM
    #16
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I've been a bit too busy to pull it out but am planning to.
     
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  17. Apr 23, 2017 at 11:51 PM
    #17
    geno0506

    geno0506 New Member

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    Yeah, I just don't feel right looking at the way it's sitting now, Its just I hear 50/50 on the diff drop and after my alignment I'm sure I'll be around 2.5" and I I ever do go off road it will never be balls to the wall!
     
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  18. Apr 23, 2017 at 11:56 PM
    #18
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I'm thinking you don't need it. I'm at about 3.5" and don't think I really need it. When I get some time, now that it's stopped raining, I'll crawl under there and take a look.
     
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  19. Apr 24, 2017 at 12:09 AM
    #19
    geno0506

    geno0506 New Member

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    Thanks,

    I'm just a bit jacked thinking about it, I think I'll get under it and put it back stock and I'll have the kit if I ever go beyond the 3" if needed considering the the PRO's don't have them and mine may be a 1/2" over them! Anyway this shit is making my brain hurt, :frusty::frusty::frusty:

    But thanks to you and the guys here, I do and have learned a lot, I guess I will have to take my training wheels off and just let my nuts drag! :cheers:
     
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  20. Apr 24, 2017 at 1:56 AM
    #20
    Spolar

    Spolar Going broke

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    Told you about the diff drop when you pm'd me man! When I did my suspension set a 3" in the front I asked my buddy who's more knowledgeable than me to take a look with his angle finder and... no diff drop was installed. Also I don't know @jberry813 personally but after reading through different threads here and on TW I feel confident I can trust he knows what he's talking about. Especially when I read: "go measure and see for yourself" I tend to think it's more true than "just get a diff drop it's cheap insurance."
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2017
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  21. Apr 24, 2017 at 4:58 AM
    #21
    BlueFalconActual

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    I foresee a large amount of diff drops in the "for sale" section soon.
     
  22. Apr 24, 2017 at 6:45 AM
    #22
    BlueFalconActual

    BlueFalconActual Field Day Inspector Extraordinaire

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    It's always fun to see Jason (aka Jerry) come out of no where and settle an argument using facts illustrated with animal sex.
    [​IMG]
     
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  23. Apr 24, 2017 at 10:19 AM
    #23
    geno0506

    geno0506 New Member

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    Whats Up Blue,

    Did you ever do a DD and what are you feelings on me needing one, thanks!
     
  24. Apr 24, 2017 at 10:19 AM
    #24
    geno0506

    geno0506 New Member

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    Sorry bro, my mind is a tad bit fried and it was late, lol!
     
  25. Apr 24, 2017 at 12:06 PM
    #25
    BlueFalconActual

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    Nope. I don't have the technical savvy of Jason but I figured if the TRD Pro doesn't have one then I didn't need one.
     
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  26. Apr 24, 2017 at 12:18 PM
    #26
    geno0506

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    Well after further ado, I now have a installed/uninstalled Diff Drop for good price! :lalala:
     
  27. Sep 12, 2022 at 12:46 PM
    #27
    DFW_SoldTacoBoughtTundra

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    Researching the dos and fonts of installing a lift. Wondering if those of you that removed the diff drops had any subsequent trouble? If so, what is your lift height?
     
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  28. Dec 28, 2022 at 11:12 PM
    #28
    alexf1852

    alexf1852 New Member

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    I have 3.5" of lift via Ironman 4x4 America FCP kit. Never installed a diff drop. After 15k miles on mostly dirt roads, I haven't had any issues with my CV's or CV boots.
     
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  29. Jan 7, 2023 at 5:35 AM
    #29
    Jeffro22

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    Been thinking about taking my diff drop back off. Just have a 2.5 leveling kit. I don’t have my original hardware though. Anyone know what I will need ? Thinking it’s just the (2) shorter bolts and then the 3 short bolts for the skid plate.
     
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  30. Mar 13, 2023 at 4:01 PM
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    SouthAl

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    :eek:
     

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