Suspension questions regarding UCAs and diff drops

Hey everyone. Still kind of new to the suspension game. I have 5100s up front on top setting and 5160s in the rear with the icon expansion pack. Right now i have stock UCA's which I will be upgrading soon, most likely SPC or Bilstein. Because I added the Icon expansion pack it sits higher in the rear. I purchased coachbuilder 1" shims to give it more of a lift in the front and to help clear 35's in the future. I have heard about when lifting more than 3" I will need a diff drop kit to bring the CVs back down. I am turning this truck into a overlander and the trips I have ben on, I have never had issues with, just want to make sure I'm doing the right things when it comes to suspension. Do I really need the diff drop? Is there a better set up I could go with? Any feedback would help. Appreciate it!

 

in the front, no need for diff drop up to about 2.5, 2.75 lift. Will need it @3 so yes, it if you are going that high you will have steep angles. If lifting the rear at all, usually need a carrier bearing drop. That can depend, but I only lifted my rear one inch and needed the drop to remove takeoff vibration.

 

^ this is the way

 

I'd say wait and see but also depends how hard you use the truck and how often.
I've never used a diff drop but each vehicle may differ a little bit in how exactly they sit.
If ribs on the CV boots aren't rubbing while resting at ride height, I wouldn't worry about diff drop.
UCA and center bearing drop you will know once you need it.
If you need center bearing spacer, there will be some vibration during launch while driving.
If you tend to drive hard off-road flexing suspension through full range a lot, UCA would be good idea. If it's mostly street driven and if you can get an alignment for the handling you like on stock UCA, then leave it. Or, if your wheels don't have enough offset, some UCAs will give some extra tire space at upper balljoint but not all of them. If tire doesn't touch UCA through range of motion, then not an issue.

My crewmax Tundra is fine on 2.5/1.3 lift. No diff drop or bearing shim needed and still on stock UCA.
My 4Runner on 2.7/2 lift was borderline for needing UCA to get alignment to handle how I want and CV was ok with no diff drop.
Tacoma was really sensitive to lifting and had to have UCA above about 2.5 lift to get a good alignment for my handling preferences. Also had to have center bearing spacer on it with a 3/3 lift.

 

It’s cheap and easy to install just do it. Anything over 2.5 up front id install and over an 1” in the rear do the carrier bearing.

 

1 inch spacers on top of 5100’s is not a great idea. You’re gonna have almost no down travel which will ride like ass. Thats pushing 3.5 inches of lift. You can fit 35s when level with the right wheel

 

Not to thread jack, but holy crap.......haven't seen you on here in a while. You used to be pretty active at posting.