Remove the differential drop on your 05+ Tacoma

and to be honest... the stock config has a cv angle thats much better parallel to the LCA orientation that will cause it to arc in a very similar way to the LCA.

 

Diff drops are snake oil.


I've never believed in them or used them.


RJM

 

That is a lot of damage, I wonder if the mechanics who insist on installing one with even a 2 in. lift can understand the downside of a DDK. ?? Some wont even do the lift without the DDK because they say they cant guarantee the job without one.

 

DD Kit crossed off the list of parts to buy for new lift!

 

No shit! I was searching for an answer to that question earlier this week as I plan my lift.

What lift are you going with? I'm thinking OME today because I'm not a big wheeler (drive 60 miles to/from work most days) and it seems to have good reviews. Then there's ICON...I like that too. I think either one should have new UCA's.

 

I've been comparing OME and Toytec. I think I've decided on Toytec between those two, just for the adjustability, and easier install. That way I can dial in the exact ride hight, and easily adjust for taco lean. But ICON will offer those things too, being adjustable coilovers. Are there any advantages from ICON over Toytec? ICON is more $$ if I remember. Either way I'm going to get LR UCA's

 

ICON is some coin, but it does consistently have great reviews. I did see a forum where KING and ICON folks got all insane over which was better, but I'm sure I'll never know the difference. I might blaze a dirt trail, but I'm not going rock climbing. I need it to drive on Monday morning. Now, if I get to a point where I have multiple vehicles, I could see having one set up for total off-road. That would be fun.

 

I went back and looked at Toytec a bit today from work. I'm thinking the advantage here is the use of Bilstein shocks and the Toytec coils. I still think OME rear AAL with the Bilstein shocks is a good way to go. You can't rebuild the shocks, but I don't see me doing that anyway. If you have to replace a front shock, you'd just replace the shock and keep the coil, right?

 

Yes I like the idea of Just replacing the shocks rather than having to rebuild them. Probably have to send them to Icon to rebuild, or at least someone that knows what they are doing. That means no truck for a while. Bilstein's you can do in a day and do it yourself. Sounds like the Icon's need to be rebuilt more often than the Bilstein's need replacing. Yes, you only need to replace the shocks, not the coils. Although most coils probably get weaker at some point.
I'm looking at doing some Air bags for the rear, instead of the AAL's. Just not sure how they will ride compared to AAL's. I just don't want a stiffer ride, but I'm not sure how they will work with a lift. Do i just get 2" blocks and the Air bags? I know they make bags that can go with a lift, but I think I want to stay away from blocks. Hmmm..

 

Air Bags! WTF? Do people do that on 4wd's?

I've been all over the place this week on which lift I want. I spent a bunch of time with the search function looking at OME, Toytec, and Icon. I keep leaning back towards Toytec. So, why do Tacomas lean? Why do people with OME have to correct a lean? Would that be because of my fat ass on one side?

 

Im going to take my DD off tomorrow!!

I love my OME lift. Ive had icon and toytecs before. And i liked the adjustability of them.. but they dont come close to ride comfort of the OME setup.. its great for a DD tacoma. The Icon's and toytecs were alittle too stiff and harsh set at 3" of lift for around town driving for me.. ofcourse it was alot better without the sway bar! Lol
I left the sway bar on with my OME kit.. rides nice.

 

Do you have lean? Lots of people seem to like the OME ride. I like the idea that OME is sold all over the world and some guy in Africa has put this thing to the test and it works.

What size tires are you running? I have this dream of 285 75 16's on my stock TRD OR rims. I just like that look - stock but not.

 

LULS, what planet are you from? The point of rebuild-able shocks is tuning and never having to replace them. The owner can rebuild them easily, well if you don't hog tie yourself to a brand that does not sell parts like fox, king and such

 

No, I dont have lean because I have there trim packer for the drivers side. Im running a 285/70/17 with wheels that are 4.5" Back spacing...

 

With skid plate like this I don't think MJP2 would had have the same problem.
I do agree with chris4x4 that without the DD it would had been less damage.

 

^^^^Skid plate definitely saved the differential in this case

 

I just removed mine but as I was doing so, I looked at my cv axle angles with and without the spacer.. and it helps the angles drop about 2-4 degrees.. by eye balling it.. so it does help some.. but probably not enough to make a huge difference. So its gone and im not looking back. Lol

 

Sounds like you hit really hard. If your skid plate failed from the hit, either the skidplate is thin, or you hit very hard. Hard enough that it sounds like most skid plates would have failed.

 

Just do the boot slide mod. The OEM CVs mechanically have enough travel. It's only the boot wear out from the fins touching.

 

Yeah, but My fins are almost touching but not quite.. Its soo close..
I may do the mod later on, if I start to see signs that theyre touching/wearing. Thanks!