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Do I need to add a diff drop kit?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by bigoltater, Nov 15, 2016.

  1. Nov 15, 2016 at 5:05 PM
    #1
    bigoltater

    bigoltater [OP] New Member

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    I just picked up a pro suspension, I will be installing on my limited crewmax. I would like to add 2 CB shims which will add 1 inch. Two questions

    Do I need to add a diff drop kit

    Will a TRD Pro skid plate fit with the shims and diff drop kit?

    Thanks for the info.
     
  2. Nov 15, 2016 at 5:35 PM
    #2
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    @Coachbuilder1 can answer with more certainty.
    Should not require the drop kit with 2 shims so the skidplate is a non issue

    What did you give for the pro parts?
     
    veg hed likes this.
  3. Nov 15, 2016 at 5:58 PM
    #3
    bigoltater

    bigoltater [OP] New Member

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    $1000 for front and rear.
     
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  4. Nov 15, 2016 at 6:06 PM
    #4
    CaptTyler

    CaptTyler Life’s too short to have an ugly boat.

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    You don't NEED a diff drop but I would recommend it, especially for how much they are. Nice peace of mind.

    The skid plate should fit but someone else will give you a certain answer.
     
    Law323 likes this.
  5. Nov 15, 2016 at 6:16 PM
    #5
    CM-LENNY

    CM-LENNY No Complaints

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    I agree with the Capt. It is a inexpensive piece of insurance. It drops down the whole front diff and relieves the stress on the drive train components. I have the 5100s at top setting with no shims for a total of about 2-3/8" lift. For $40.00 it's well worth it. Good luck with the truck.
     
    geno0506, Law323 and CaptTyler like this.
  6. Nov 15, 2016 at 7:32 PM
    #6
    veg hed

    veg hed Thug

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    I did NOT do the diff drop on the front when I did the Pro suspension swap; 2 shims on each side up front and the +3 shackles in the back. I did the diff drop kit on my Tacoma when I raised it about 2-3" and the CV boot fins still rub. So I have mixed feelings about front diff drops. Especially if you're only going 1" above the factory Pro set up.

    However, when I bought my stuff from @Coachbuilder1 the kit he sent me came with a "bearing drop kit". I think that was what it was called but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

    I also put a Pro skid plate on mine. If I had to choose between a front diff drop and Pro skid plate it would be skid plate all the way!
     
  7. Nov 15, 2016 at 11:58 PM
    #7
    bigoltater

    bigoltater [OP] New Member

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    Great info thanks fellas
     
  8. Nov 17, 2016 at 12:25 PM
    #8
    Tundracm16

    Tundracm16 New Member

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    When I did my 2-1 level I had them send me the diff drop figured it wouldn't hurt. After a hour of messing around trying to get it on I realized why most say you don't need it under 3 because it's impossible to get on. I don't think just 2 raises everything enough to get the drop right that's why I could get it to work. So I don't have it on. I checked the boots and everything after a 3k road trip and everything looks good so I'm not worried about it. Checked out a buddy's pro and factory didn't drop it angle it about the same as mine giving the fact mine sits almost a inch higher than pro
     
    geno0506 likes this.
  9. Nov 17, 2016 at 2:44 PM
    #9
    FlashCulprit

    FlashCulprit ColoradoTJ's whipping boy/Gino's illegitimate son.

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    geno0506 likes this.
  10. Nov 17, 2016 at 4:09 PM
    #10
    jburson250

    jburson250 Pensioner

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    @bigoltater please text/call David Ekstrom (Coachbuilder1) at (801) 635-4872. I'd bet he'll recommend a front diff drop.

    The pro suspension raises the front of a "stock" Tundra 2". Two CB spacers raises it 1" more - as you've stated in Post #1.
    The consensus here and on other forums seems to be that you should drop the front diff if you're going above 2.5".

    The bearing drop kit mentioned by @veg hed - included with his CB +3" rear spring shackles - is for the carrier bearing. It improves drive shaft/rear diff alignment when longer than +1" shackles are installed. Consequences of not installing it are usually felt as driveline vibration under acceleration. I hope veg hed installed his.

    Probably missing from your Pro Suspension is this:

    http://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oe-toyota/ptr1334140ab

    It's a spacer for the speed sensor wire. See attached pdf for the instructions for the whole suspension kit.

    Step 3 and Fig. 3-1 talk about the spacer.

    The Pro Skid Plate fits very close to the suspension/frame/front diff. With a diff drop, I doubt you'll be able to install it. I recently saw some posts or a thread about this, either here or on Tundra Talk, but can't find it right now. Sorry.

    Best luck with you're mods!
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Nov 17, 2016 at 7:59 PM
    #11
    veg hed

    veg hed Thug

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    Yep. I put it on it took about 5 minutes.
     
  12. Nov 20, 2016 at 9:42 PM
    #12
    bigoltater

    bigoltater [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for the info and the heads up on the spacer!!! I would have never known!!!
     
    jburson250[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Nov 20, 2016 at 10:51 PM
    #13
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    You'll know by looking at your cv angels if you need the diff drop. I could see it when I lifted my front and I'm no genius. Also, I've seen skid plate spacer kits so you can keep your skid plate w/ the diff drop.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2016 at 8:55 AM
    #14
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    - Bull Bar - LED Bunny Burners - AMP retractable running boards - Headlight leveling retrofit - P3 Brake Controller - 60% rear seat delete - relocation of Sub to rear wall - Bilstein 5100 x4, top setting with 2 shims per side - Coach builder +2 rear shackles w/carrier bearing drop - Firestone Air bags - on-board compressor with auto-leveling - Dual Undercover Swing Boxes. - P285/65/R20 (34.6") BFG TA KO2's - TRD Front skid plate - Pop & Lock Tailgate lock - Remote Tailgate mod - LED Headlights - Nav Bypass - iPhone integration - Serius/XM retrofit - 25% front tint - Bizon electric tonneau cover - Power folding tow mirror upgrade - 2010+ leveling Headlight mod - Auto-fold mirror mod. - one-touch lane changer mod - Flash to open garage opener mod - Rigid H/L fog light upgrade - Pushbutton / Remote start mod.
    General consensus seems to be, anything over 2 inches and a diff drop is called for. The TRD skid plate can be used with a diff drop with some minor modifications. specifically, you need to either extend the 3 spacers and bolts on the middle row, or as I did, just leave them off. The plate will flex around the diff drop using the front and back rows of bolts.
     

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