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Installing a diff drop

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010.

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  1. Jul 20, 2010 at 1:57 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    JDMcompliant [OP] Professional Amateur

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    Hey all,

    I'm thinking about installing a diff drop on my truck. Hard turns cause a loud POP from the front wheels and it's very concerning. Is this a difficult install?
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  2. Jul 20, 2010 at 1:59 PM
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    mjp2

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    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Don't bother. It does virtually nothing.

    If you're hearing a pop then your CVs might already be shot. How much lift are you running?
     
    mjp2, Jul 20, 2010
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  3. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    JDMcompliant [OP] Professional Amateur

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    dammit. haha.

    installers set my front coils at 3.5".
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  4. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:01 PM
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    solus

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    ^x2 on the pop... since you are running more than 3" of lift I suspect your cvs are going if you routinely hear a pop
     
    solus, Jul 20, 2010
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  5. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:02 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    JDMcompliant [OP] Professional Amateur

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    damn...it only happens when my wheel is turned completely one way or the other. any way i can tell if they're shot?
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  6. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:13 PM
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    shitroc

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    reach under the truck and grab the axle,try to move it,there shouldnt be any play in it
     
    shitroc, Jul 20, 2010
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  7. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:26 PM
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    dysfunctnlretard

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    dysfunctnlretard Hi

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    x2 on diff drops being worthless. However, if you insist on giving away the money, please send it to me. :p

    Lower your Coilovers and replace the CVs if needed. IIRC, angles are best at ~ 2.5" of lift.
     
    dysfunctnlretard, Jul 20, 2010
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  8. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:30 PM
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    JasoTaco

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    JasoTaco Well-Known Member

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    Why would a diff drop be worthless?
     
    JasoTaco, Jul 20, 2010
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  9. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:32 PM
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    solus

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    agreed
     
    solus, Jul 20, 2010
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  10. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:32 PM
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    solus

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    right, but does it always happen when you turn in this manner?
     
    solus, Jul 20, 2010
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  11. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:32 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    JDMcompliant [OP] Professional Amateur

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    i stepped out of the office to try it, and it's weird...i wouldn't call it "play," because i couldn't feel any movement, but there was a sound i could identify whenever i rocked it back and forth. i don't know if this is normal or not.

    haha, the DD was only $30 from toytec so i thought it would be an easy fix. looks like i'm gonna have to lower my coils? :(
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  12. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:33 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    yep, always. like, i know not to turn that much when i pull out of a spot. i turn less, back up, then complete the turn.
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  13. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:34 PM
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    shitroc

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    shitroc Master of War

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    i dont think diff drops are worthless at all, they are not a hard install and they help your CV angles
     
    shitroc, Jul 20, 2010
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  14. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM
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    solus

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    solus HOME!!!

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    yeah it shouldn't make any sounds...and probably shouldnt move at all, maybe they are about to give out
     
    solus, Jul 20, 2010
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  15. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:45 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    yeah, that's what i was thinking...so someone help me out here:

    1. I have a 3.5" lift in front.
    2. The recommended lift for the angle for the CV joint is 2.5"
    3. The diff drop will lower the differential by 1"
    4. 3.5" - 1" = 2.5" (the recommended lift height for proper angle)

    Am i missing something?
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  16. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:46 PM
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    desertdude59

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    desertdude59 CRAZY 4WHEELER

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    Sounds like the diff drop would help you. Bet the CVs have too much of an angle on them.
     
    desertdude59, Jul 20, 2010
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  17. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:47 PM
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    JasoTaco

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    X2

    I put the ToyTec DD on mine.
     
    JasoTaco, Jul 20, 2010
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  18. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:49 PM
    #18
    solus

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    well give it a try diff drops are cheap and relatively easy install
     
    solus, Jul 20, 2010
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  19. Jul 20, 2010 at 2:57 PM
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    JDMcompliant

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    JDMcompliant [OP] Professional Amateur

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    yeah, i figure i'd give it a shot...i mean it's less than a tank of gas :p
     
    JDMcompliant, Jul 20, 2010
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  20. Jul 21, 2010 at 7:07 AM
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    mjp2

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    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Differential drops work on the pre-2005 Tacomas because they actually lower the differential.

    The front diff on the 05+ trucks is mounted completely differently. Installing a diff drop on the new trucks only pivots the differential, increasing the front drivesahaft u-joint angles. More stress on the front driveshaft and many people have reported vibrations from it after installing a differential drop on their trucks.

    A 1" spacer will lower the differential at the spot where the inner CVs insert by less than 1/2". A larger spacer would be needed to drop a full inch, but then you're dealing with even more stress on that front driveshaft and you start running the risk of hooking your diff on something when wheeling as the front mounts are now sticking way below the truck.

    Pick and choose your battles. I'd rather lower the truck an inch than deal with the issues introduced by the drop spacers.
     
    mjp2, Jul 21, 2010
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