Diff drop?

Trying to get some advice considering a diff drop. I got my 2nd gen on 3” bilsteins 5100s with a diff drop. Debating if I should take them out or not. Like the idea of getting more clearance with them out but worried about my CV angles getting messed with? New pair of CVs is cheaper than a front diff. Also I need to find stock bolts to reverse the drop huh?

 

Thanks. Think I wrote the opposite of what I was thinking(front diff$$$). Appreciate the advice

 

My understanding is that the diff drop kits "commonly" available for these truck drop the front mounting points about 1/2 inch. But due to the shape of the diff and all that, the drop you see at the CV joint is only about half that. (My 1/2 inch number might be off ) So no, not worth it IMO. Set your lift at 2.5 inches or less and call it a day. 3" is overkill on these trucks, despite what you might see on facebook

 

Some people say the DD does nothing . Only rotates the dif slightly forward or something . What ever it does I’m pretty sure you only lose about 1/2” of clearance. I went from 5100s at 1.75 no DD and kept tearing my CV boots . New lift is 6112s set at 2.47 ? Which is the top notch adjustment and a DD and no torn boots . If you off-road a lot I guess you can skip the DD or get a good skid plate from @Mobtown Offroad
Pretty sure CV axles are cheaper than a front dif

 

Diff drops are a weird thing. For 3rd gens they are very unnecessary. 2nd gens I would suspect are similar.

Thing thing is, all a diff drop does is rotate the diff upward to decrease those CV angles a bit. Funny thing is, when you do that , you MAY move oil out of the way of lubricating crucial parts. My vote is to do a CV boot stretch MOD before a diff drop and call it quits. I took my diff drop out 6 months ago. Glad I did

 

diff drop is a terrible idea, it can cause fluid level issues and also with the fluid getting everywhere it needs to get inside the case.

 

It’s been a few years with the new lift and DD now . No problems , although I’m probably due for gear oil change in diffs and transfer case .

 

If you do any type off roading, you might read

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-the-differential-drop-on-your-05-tacoma.118545/

 

Do the diff drop. I lifted 3” and blew thru 5 cv axels in 5 years. That’s over 1k. Diff kit was like 30 bucks and there is no significant change in clearance at all. Should have done it in the first place. Do it.

I’ve been running it for 2 years now with no issues whatsoever

 

Umm... i would sincerely ask that you do some research before following @Festus and his rather forceful comment.... The diff drop has minimal benefit at best, but from what i have learned (when i considered doing it myself), there is not enough benefit to the diff drop to justify the risk you run of uneven fluid circulation, proper fluid levels, and other concerns that poor souls have run into when attempting the drop.

Everyones mileage will vary, im not saying either i or Festus are the correct point to believe in all circumstances, just please do some research and be sure of what youre doing before listening to one guy commanding you do to a diff drop - id hate to see you need an entire differential in X amount of years because you listened to one guy who has been lucky for 2 years. Theres far more horror stories on diff drops than success stories.

PS: the general rule is, on a 2nd gen tacoma or newer, DO NOT diff drop, it causes more harm than good, and its not necessary, especially for a 3" or under lift, the CV angles will be fine. First gen tacomas the diff drop was useful, new design on the second gen and newer negate that benefit. Listen to the experience of others who have gone before! All the best