Diff Drop Question

Hey All-

When I installed my lift (6112/5160/Dakars Medium) I installed the ECGS bushing, CB drop and shims and everything works fine with no vibes or issues with about 1500 miles on it. Many here say NOT to install the diff drop, but reading around the interwebz it seems some still recommend it. Whats the deal? Does installing one help prevent CV damage or is it minimal? Without it installed, how long have people been problem free on a 2-2.5" lift?

I'm asking as its a cheap easy mod and if it helped with longevity and is the "proper" way to ride around on a lift I might do it. If it's completely unnecessary for the third gens, then I'll pass.

 

I , as well as many , do not have a diff drop and the often cause more problems than they help. I would not recommend it. It really depends upon how much lift you are going. for a 2-2.5 inch lift in the front you should be find. I have the 6112/5160 set up with the medium dakars as well. I have mine set in the 4/5 with a 2.15" lift in front. Any lift is going to cause some wear and tear on the front axles but you should be absolutely fine without it.

 

Thanks man. Just wondered if it really helped with preventative wear & tear or not. Just want things to last for a while! Sounds like you've been running yours for a while with no issues.

 

If you install it, you won't notice any difference. If you don't install it, you won't notice any difference. It really doesn't do anything, whether good or bad. If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, go for it.

 

So sort of a marketing gimmick for third gens, I take it. Is it because the stock components can handle the different angles OK?

 

It's the same exact set up on second gens. It's not so much a gimmick, as it does help but it's pretty negligible. It's just the way the diff is designed it's the best that can really be done without getting too complicated. The negative affect is only on CV angles, and the inner boots. They'll wear out a little faster, but it's impossible to say by how much. Not much.

 

Leave it. Shit ain't broke don't fix it.
Youre gunna go crazy second guessing everything you do to your truck.

When lifting your truck you have to be ready to spend money fixing broken crap. That's part of the game. We were all dumb enough to buy an expensive little truck and lift the thing.

You aren't going to get a straight answer on this. Those same responses you saw on the "interwebz" (not sure what that is?) you'll most likely get on this thread.

Diff drop tries to correct cv angles but as a result obviously changes front drive shaft angles. Supposedly it changes the ability for fluid to be cycled through parts up front due to increase front shaft angle. Not sure how true that is. Lifting your truck, hopefully you fully understood that it's always a possibility that you'll blow a cv so be prepared in that slim chance you'll have to replace them.

 

Definitely understand the risks otherwise I would have kept it stock. But if its something that will actually help I'd do it. Sounds like not so much and not worth it.

 

If you aren't having problems I would leave it off.

 

On a side note, how would one know if you blew a CV or messed up the area? Is it obvious?

 

Very. IF you blow a CV, it's because you're doing some hardcore wheeling and probably have a front locker that's engaged. What happens more often than not as car as CV failure is just the boot. It'll tear a hole in it and fling grease everywhere, which is obvious. That doesn't mean the CV is trash though, because you can get a CV boot kit which comes with new boots, grease and clamps. It's a Toyota product and is only like $40. I've had to reboot both if mine but the actual CVs are the original from 2005.

 

And you're lifted? I guess people just keep an eye on them? which I have been doing to the whole area.

 

40K miles, no problems. Remove it, sell it to someone who thinks they need it.

 

nice! I never bought the diff drop kit, was more wondering the need for it and if TW says no, I listen

 

Looks like a greasy/oily mess on and all around the CV axle...when the boot tears it flings grease all over the place since the CV axles are always spinning.

Only other sign of a "failing" CV is the "click/clack" sound they make in 4WD when they are getting weaker. Hard to describe it unless you hear it but it's definitely an audible click that you hear a couple times when the CV is under stress, like when turning (don't do it on a paved surface obviously). They can still last a long time after you hear them clicking though.

 

Thanks. So if I'm in 4WD and hear some s#$t clanking I'll check it out!

 

Yep, just poke your head under there once a month or something. It’s always good to check over your truck on a regular basis to catch something before it becomes worse

 

It's more of a sharp "CLICK", like someone that's really good at snapping their fingers. And you can usually pinpoint which side it's coming from in the front.

 

Well at least its obvious. I'm only 2.25" lifted up front so hoping I can get a long life out of everything like many on here.

 

The boot failure, this is because of fins touching? I created a new thread on this just now, but I noticed one fin on each inner boot is rubbing a little, creating a little wear ring. I may try that easy boot mod and just slide it out when I get some time. How long can these things go like this before tearing? I was able to "clean off" the wear mark pretty well so it doesn't seem like its rubbing hard... but it is touching. I'm doing mostly street driving lately, not much off road.