02 Tacoma Double Cab Lift Help

^ not exactly.

Diff drop rotates the diff forward so the whole diff doesn't "drop". The stock skid plate remains in the same location but the diff is closer...and in some cases touches the skid plate. You don't lose any GC with a diff drop. They're not catastrophic to anything but they don't really provide any benefit since the diff doesn't actually drop...it rotates forward an inch...

 

Hmmm, wonder if there was something up with my skid plate then. Had to space it down.

 

Could've been tweaked some. Those things are stamped out by the dozen. Could've been a touch different...not much QC on a part of that nature.
My 02 didn't hit....yes...I had a diff drop....about 11 years ago...before I knew better

 

In an ideal world, yeah, you wouldn't want to lower a portion of your drivetrain, but IMO the good (longer lasting CVs) far outweigh the bad (slightly lower skid plate).

The diff drop "kit" I got (Total Chaos) is nothing more than a couple spacers and some longer bolts. I've seen other kits that come with spacers for the skid plate. but I suspect they (TC) didn't bother including them as there is a lot of variability with the skid plates as mentioned earlier, sometimes they aren't necessary at all. Mine is beaten/wrinkled pretty good, so I'm betting I'll have to do some custom fab work (i.e. beating it with a BFH) to get the skid plate to fit again.

Yup, you still bolt up the skid plate and it covers the diff just fine. I'd rather have a lower skid plate and CV's that last longer, than the other way around...

 

1in was enough for me, the only part you can tell has a body lift is on the bed as there will be a gap when there wasn't before.

 

I wheel the crap out of mine with a 2" OME front and rear AAL that I bought from Toytec. I have ~33s. I am frequently the smallest truck in my club and everyone is always impressed at how the truck does.