To diff drop, or not to, that is the question

So I keep reading completely different arguments.
Here's wht I've got installed:
*Fat bobs adjustable 5100 coil-overs
*OME sway bar relocation and carrier bearing drop
*Ecgs 8inch clamshell for the needle bearing delete
*2inch toytec in the rear with fox2.0's

I have a diff drop, but I've heard once you do the ecgs you don't need to install it. Personally if it helps factory geometry I'll do it. But if there is a solid reason not to I'll listen. I Highway drive allot, so whats better on the factory parts?

Yay or nay?

Thanks in advance

 

No

 

Was it a big deal on second gens or something? I'm new to the Tacoma gang. Just making sure i'm covering my bases.

 

the diff drop will help the angles but it will also reduce some minor clearance under the diff as well. but if you pound pavement all the time its not going to make a difference either way. with the ECGS its not really necessary for any other reason than protecting the CV boots....my opinion, take it out.

 

I haven't slapped it on yet. It's chillen on my kitchen counter lol.
Me and the lady like to go to riding parks on vacation, like for the week of the 4th we are going to tool around SC and check out some trials.
Preciate the info.

 

If you don't have vibes. Don't install it.

 

So there really is no ride difference for just normal driving right? Relaxing those angles would make anything feel different just protect the boots a bit when riding trails?

 

Ya I got "THE Vibe" after I leveled. So the ecgs came pretty quick.

 

Good luck finding trails in SC

 

I installed the diff drop on mine. By installing it you're helping geometry, but sacrificing some ground clearance.

In my case, I'm on road a lot more than I'm off road, so I'd rather have better CV angles than an inch more ground clearance.

If you need maximum ground clearance for some heavy off roading, you might be better leaving it off.

 

It's under the front skid right? Does it lower everything? Just tryin to see how/where I'm loosing clearance.

 

Had some helpful links/ suggestions on the SC thread. They threw up a bunch of places last week when I dropped a line. Hope that helps!

 

Yeah, its really just the front two mounts for the front differential end up being dropped with some spacers and longer bolts.

 

I installed mine to help with the geometry. I will require a spacer for the skid plate lowering your clearance by about 1/2 inch.

 

If you're worried about the CV angles then you could always do the boot slide mod (slide the boots a little further down) to prevent the fins from rubbing.

 

I believe if you have a skid plate designed for a diff drop the only difference is like 1/4" lower than a non diff drop skid plate. Why not just to save your CV's?

 

some people claimed it changed the angle of the diff and prevented proper lubrication of the cv shafts.... if that's true or not who knows. other people have hooked their skids on rocks and blamed the lower diff for the damage caused saying without the diff drop certain events would of been prevented. did I put it on my truck? no, but solely for the reason that I didn't feel like modifying my skids to fit. have i had to change cv shafts. nope. do I have torn boots. nope. if you want to install it then go for it, its your truck.

 

This is generally the line of thought I go with. So far the only true negative is slight loss of skid clearance. If that's it I think since I already have it, just to slap it on and get it off my kitchen counter.

This is the type of answer I like reading. The 'real world' potential scenarios vs experience first hand.

I didn't realize you had to modify the skid plate, or do you have an after market that didn't want to play nice with it?

 

it still lines up but your skid will hit the diff before you reach the bolt holes. you just have to add spacers to compensate for your diff being lower. didn't really want to jerry rig random shit to use as a skid spacer

 

@ForestFever1 what rim / tire combination is that above? Sorry, nothing to do with Diff drop.