Differential Drop

Has anyone used one of these kits and if so, do you think it has actually helped lessen the severity of the CV angles? Is it worth the trouble and expense?

 

There's debate on whether or not diff drops are helpful or hurtful on 2nd/3rd gens but it's pretty well agreed upon that they work well on 1st gens. It will help lessen the angles on your boots some. A lot of people on here have one on their 1st gens.

 

I’ve also heard it decreases ground clearance. True? False?

 

Only if you don't run any skid plates including the factory ones.

 

Soooo...are you saying "True" or "False"?

 

False - the diff is protected in both cases by the skid - unless you go plowing through your skid on a rock or stump and only have the wimpy stock skid. In theory it's better that way with the drop since you create more space between your oil pan and the diff before you pop a hole in your oil pan, but just don't go running into large objects and it's all good in all cases. The drop only rotates the front of the diff down. Why are you looking into getting one? Tearing through CV boots?

 

Not yet and I want to keep it that way.

 

Use the search function.

 

I have. And thank you for the constructive input.

 

Pics of your boots? This may be more useful than a diff drop to solve your issue:

 

I watched the ENTIRE video last night. ENTIRE VIDEO. And I REALLY don't want to pull the cv's if I don't have to.

 

Well diff drop would be your only other option unless you run less lift.

 

I hear ya'. And I already have the lift (3"+) installed. Good thing is the inside boot inner ribs aren't touching but they are close.

 

Not sure if it’s worth the effort and expense?!

Mine cost like $20 and took <30 minutes to install. Although I did have to modify my skid plate to get it to fit. So add another 20 minutes with some square stock and a welder.

It’s pretty much a no brainer.

I always thought it wasn’t really the boot that’s the problem, but the angle on the hardware itself. A higher angle causes them to wear faster. Will it explode instantly if you don’t do a drop kit? Probably not. But they’ll certainly wear out faster.

I only have about 2” lift, but I also have mid travel coilovers so I wanted the extra room.

It quite literally can’t hurt (even on the 2nd/3rd gens).

 

Good info here, keep it coming.

 

I put the diff drop in. I all so installed locking hubs from a 99, so my axles do not turn unless I want them to.

 

I can’t think of a reason not to use one.

 

It may help some. I still get tears. The heat off our parking lots don't help I'm sure because I really don't put on much mileage.

 

Thanks, sniff. It is heartbreaking to see a crak form in a fairly new bewt.

BTW I ordered the ones from AllPro or Offroad, somewhere that advertised better or softer (I really don't remember where but not 930 spec.) and they came in a EMPI box with same part # as what O'Reilly's sells as replacement. Started tearing pretty soon afterwards again.

OP: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/high-angle-cv-boots.107441/page-2

Also: Wheelers has drop kits on sale right now.