Excessive CV Joint to Shaft angle due to Truck Lift - 2010 4wd

Hi - I recently had to replace my suspension (had a suspension shop do it) and went with a beefier leaf spring to support my construction work and Billstiens all around. Inadvertently with those stiff springs, I ended up with a taller lift in the back than what I was looking for, and ended up putting 1/2" spacers on the front to prevent a heavy list on the truck and keep it somewhat level. Ended up with almost 3" lift in the back and front.

My mechanic shop is telling me now that there is excessive angle between the CV joint and the Shaft due to the increased height in the front.

The mechanic mentioned that I'm experiencing this problem because of the 'truck lift and the differential not being relocated'. Can someone explain what that means (not relocating the differential), and is it possible to fix after the fact everything has been installed?

I was trying to avoid having to do anything else by keeping my lift under 3", but it looks like I missed that mark. Can someone with experience in this area offer some cost effective solutions to resolve the excessive angle on the CV joint? Not sure if I need new axels, new springs, upper control arms/Sway Bar & Links? Its a 2010 4wd.

Not so relevant to this issue, but i currently have 265's/r16s on there, and I've been thinking I would like to up that 285s/r17s given all these changes to ride height. So any recommendations for the axel issue and addressing the excessive angle I'm hoping would address me getting larger tires on there as well.

I know I've thrown a lot out there, sorry for my life story. However any information is greatly appreciated! I'd love to do this myself if possible. I recently switched out the wheel bearings, lower controls arms, brakes/rotors/calipers without much issue with much help off of other forums here on TW. So if this is manageable then I'd do it.

Mahalo Nui!

 

Suggestions:

Lower the truck (remove the front spacers).

You can compensate for some of the ill effects by installing new CV joints that have high angle boots.

 

Diff Drop Kit.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/old-man-emu-tacoma-rear-driveshaft-spacer-fk29.html

 

Thanks Scott W, I like what I read on the link you posted.. I'm new to the differential game however.. not sure how dropping the rear differential will help the angle in the front? Can you give a little background on how they're related?

 

Wrong link posted as that was for the rear carrier bearing drop (also suggested if you're lifted excessively in the rear).

There is also a solution for the front
https://www.extremeterrain.com/supr...fferential-drop-kit-0518-4wd-6lug-tacoma.html

 

Are you feeling any ill effects from the lift? Like vibrations or steering wander? If not, leave it be and just do the CV boot slide mod to prevent the boots from tearing: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-cv-boot-mod.190669/ It'll cost you just two #16 hose clamps (nominally 1.5" dia.) from the hardware store.

Differential drop does more harm than good if you go off-road.

 

Great thread post 3JOH22A - I'll look to check that out. What you mentioned about steering wander has me hesitant, as I just noticed that after replacing my LCAs this last week - I've been endeavoring on new wheel bearings and LCAs after the lift to get an alignment. They couldn't do the alignment before cause my cams were seized, prompting the LCA change.

Curious what you meant by diff drops doing more harm than good, as well what do you think may be causing that steering wander?

Big Thanks!

 

I guess I thought you where referring to the rear diff angle. Sorry. I know there is a frt diff drop kit included in Supreme Suspension Lift Kits for Tacoma. But I am not sure if you can purchase just a font diff drop kit separately. You will have search it out. Extreme Terrain is where I purchased my 2" kit. They may offer a kit for the frt diff if that is what you need.

 

You're on stock UCAs? With 3" of lift, the caster will be about zero, which can cause steering wander.

The diff drop causes the diff mounts to protrude below the belly of the vehicle. If the front edge of the diff mount catches on an obstacle off-road, it will shove the diff into the engine oil pan: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-the-differential-drop-on-your-05-tacoma.118545/

 

Thanks for everyone's input! I think I've decided to upgrade my LCAs to the SPC brand, alignment shop showed my caster as being out of recc. specs. Hoping that provides much more travel for the strut as well. As for the diff drop.. I do more road driving than offroad, and what offroad i do drive is rather mild dirt roads. I think for long-term drivability on a lot of pavement, it makes sense to get the axle as level as possible, right? Prompting me to drop the rear carrier bearing as well. I will touch back with the final verdict and build once its all buttoned up. Thanks again all!