When is a diff drop needed?

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

 

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.

 

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!!!

 

Anytime Chad, there's a wealth of information on here. It's helped me a lot.

 

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.

 

so it isn't necessary to do with a 2.5" level + 1"ish spacer?

 

good to know

 

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??

 

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 ?

 

Thanks Jason. Looks like I'll be pulling my diff drop back out.

 

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!

 

I've been a bit too busy to pull it out but am planning to.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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,

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!

 

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."

 

I foresee a large amount of diff drops in the "for sale" section soon.

 

It's always fun to see Jason (aka Jerry) come out of no where and settle an argument using facts illustrated with animal sex.

 

Whats Up Blue,

Did you ever do a DD and what are you feelings on me needing one, thanks!

 

Sorry bro, my mind is a tad bit fried and it was late, lol!

 

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.

 

Well after further ado, I now have a installed/uninstalled Diff Drop for good price!

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.