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

Rumors ...a few off shops ( lift kit companies) I talk to...diff drop kits ..highly recommended over 2.5 inch lift inch and up ..most times 2 inch or less should be Ok...every lift kit May vary..if needed..
Off roading , your diffs ..axle angle will flex a lot more than street ..creating huge more angles..that can wear the joints...( making you replace them more often)
My old Ranger..(keys lift) front ...axle will last only 1-2years..so I always had spare axle ...ready to switch out...
Better to add this drop diff kit..? I think so..
One more thing ...any front lift and rear...Think about your bumb stops too...they will also need to be longer...?
Search ..Why install longer bumb stops..? ..when lifting?
Lifting any truck? ..always something more recommended to do or added to make truck better and safer...SAFER...remember this?
Aloha...sometimes..better to stay stock..and stay home..lol

 

Installed ToyTec 2.0 lift and did the diff drop as recommended. Some say there's no need because you lose the 1 inch clearance when dropping the diff. If you want to maintain as close to stock geometry then add the diff drop. That's just my take. $.02

 

If your skids will accommodate already might as well, otherwise don't bother for a "mild" lift. I have RCI skids and didn't need additional spacers so why not save my angles?

 

This thread is old but whatever. Diff drops are a total waste of time. The way it’s designed, only ends up dropping the diff overall by ~1cm near the cv axles at the expense of much more in terms of ground clearance. Better off decreasing your lift by a half inch or inch and keeping the ground clearance.

example (not my photo)

 

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yes

also change drive shaft angles from t-case to the diff if you drop it...

 

2nd gen, same drive line.

I put a 5/8th drop on mine because I had some perfect scraps of aluminum from a gig and the correct bolts so figured it couldn't hurt.

Not quite the "standard" 1" but more than nothing. Does seem to help CV boots and cup angle at droop, never had any front end drive line related vibes so can't speak on that front. I did do the ECGS bushing also at the same time, had the diff out to reseal the oil pan.

W̶h̶i̶c̶h̶ ̶a̶c̶t̶u̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶e̶n̶d̶e̶d̶ ̶u̶p̶ ̶b̶e̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶m̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶l̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶I̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶c̶o̶v̶e̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶e̶a̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶3̶r̶d̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶.̶ ̶

There's such different opinions on it ranging from it's absolutely mandatory your front diff will explode if you're lifted and you don't to the complete opposite of as soon as you do it your diff will explode!


I have had no issues with my compromise drop for 40k.

The concern about it lowering your differential below the frame to the point where it can hang up is potentially valid, but if you have legitimate steel skid plates (not the factory tin foil) I wouldn't worry about it at all.

As always.

YMMV.

 

I have no, intelligent thoughts to add on the diff drop but just wanted to say the Level 8 wheels are one of my favorites. Had a gun metal set on a 2012 Tundra I owned.....great looking truck wheel in almost any application.

 

Installed the drop on my 2019, it made 0 difference, removed an hour later. I still have it in the box, that was 1.5 years back.

A complete waste of money & time. I opted for the boot slide mod and just did the same thing to my 2021 this weekend.

 

Total waste of money,the drop kit doesnt do much of anything.