Differential Drop needed?

Hey Guys,

New to TW, but the more time i spend on this website the more i'm starting to play around with my 2010 Tacoma TRD sport.

I'm about to install a Skyjacker 2.5inch leveling kit and I've searched and keep coming back to the same thing: Differential drop kit or not? I cant seem to get a solid answer of what is the best despite trying the oh so famous "search" button.

I wouldn't say i do extreme off roading, but i do head off the black top for biking, snowmobiling, and the random adventure. I do have firestone air ride in the rear to handle having my sled in the back. Other than that, everything is still factory.

Any help would be great,

Thanks!

 

Nope. Only if 4x4 and if you were going higher.

Welcome aboard.

 

Thanks TrdSurgie,

My truck is a 4X4. Does that mean i should be installing a differential drop?

Cheers

 

NOOOOO diff drop needed for 2nd gens......I know some go back and forth but it's well known that it actually causes issues!

And dude, skyjacker spacers? You don't want your truck riding like shit bricks do you? I know they look cool but get some 5100's at 1.75" and enjoy a little lift with good shocks!

 

The differential drop does help the cv angle... not alot, but anything helps.

 

Thanks for clearing the question that was giving me a headache.

I really am not experienced with lifts, etc. I was going with skyjacker cause the price seemed right without emptying a bank account.
the 5100s are simply a shock that gives me an exta 1.75?
can i get a 5100 that gives me the 2.5? i want it to sit level with the back

 

I don't recommend it:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/118545-remove-differential-drop-your-05-tacoma.html

As for the lift, search around here some more. A lot of people level their trucks with shocks and springs for a relatively low cost.

 

The 5100s have 4 settings on the shock body itself....0 lift, .85", 1.75" and 2.5" but at the highest setting they'll ride pretty stiff but still better than a spacer. Lots of guys also get a longer spring to go with the shock (eibachs or OME) so they don't have to be pre-loaded as much. Search, it's been covered 1,647,7588,584,845 times...lol

It really wouldn't cost much more to do it right!

 

needed? no. recommended? yes. some say they dont do anything for second generation tacomas, i have no knowledge on that part though.

 

It doesnt actually "drop" the differential. It slightly rotates/angles it down. But its not enough to make and significant difference in the cv angles.

 

It is recommended due to the cv angle... But if you do other than mall crawling, you can do this CV boot mod and you will have no issues with the boot...

In my opinion, don't waste your money on that!

 

Thanks for the sound advise all. Got a pretty good idea what direction to go.

 

Don't raise the shit out of the truck and your cv's will be fine......I've had my coilovers as high as 3.5" and cv's were still good.....no more than 3" for 4x4 is safe!

 

I agree Sublime. Im keeping it to a 2.5 in the front to keep it classy. Just got new tires last winter and dont really want to have to go spending more to make everything look normal (Hate that small tire/huge wheel well look)

 

Just piling on questions to this thread. So an '06 4x4 access cab with 5100's set at 2.5 with skyjacker add a leaf (2.5" or so) in the rear should need nothing else? What about a carrier drop an inch or so? I don't really offroad at all, and there aren't really any rocks here anyway.

 

If you experience any vibrations in the rear after the add a leaf, then you can try a carrier bearing drop. Or axle shims.