Wheelers Diff Drop with TRD Pro skid plate - not fitting?

Hello Tacoma World,
I just bought at Wheelers Off Road Diff Drop kit to use in my suspension lift install. I have a 2021 Off Road Tacoma, but I added the Trd-Pro skid plate. The mechanic at Toyota is telling me that the skid plate spacers and bolts with the kit are too short to be used with the Pro skid plate but only work for the Off road stock plates. I called Wheelers and they said that they had never heard of that problem. Has anyone else run into this? Any recommendations on what size bolts and spacers I would need to make it work so that I can reattach the Trd-Pro plate?

 

Why are you running a diff drop at all? 2nd Gen doesn’t need them so I would assume the 3rd Gen doesn’t either

 

It was recommended by Toyota when I talked to them about installing the lift. I am just doing a 2 inch lift with the Eibach Pro suspension, so maybe it is not really needed?

 

Yeah not needed at all, you'll be fine without

 

Thanks. I just called Toyota and told them just to take off the diff drop - since it looks like it would be more money to get longer bolts and spacers to make the skid plate fit than it cost for the entire diff drop kit in the first place, ugh.

 

I've lifted all 4 of the Tacomas I've owned, currently my 3rd gen is about 2.5" and never dropped the diff. Never had a vibe issue. Most everyone will agree they're not necessary unless you're chasing a vibe problem post lift, and when that's the case I seldom read they solve the problem.

Post up a pic or 2 when she's done!

 

Yeah, I debated whether or not to do it, but since it was only $30 for the kit and it is a brand new truck, that was why I decided to go for it. But, since it makes it impossible to remount my TRD-Pro skid plate (which was $400) without additional cost, I will just scrap the diff drop for now. I figure I can always add it back later if I do encounter any problems, etc.

 

I did a little over 2 inches on the front, bilstein 5100s and I used a front diff drop and a rear carrier bearing drop also. I also have the TRD Pro skid plate and no issues needing a longer bolt. Maybe the diff drop is not large spacer, the 4wd shop is extremely repudable and and got my angles right on spec. No issues!!!

 

So, when I went to pick it up from the Toyota service dept. They showed me all the pics and, yeah, I need basically another inch spacer for the front two and middle two bolts on the skid plate and about 1.5 inch longer bolts for all four of them. I decided just to leave the diff drop on because Toyota told me that it would help me in the event that there was ever a warranty issue. So, now just trying to find the longer spacers and bolts and I will install it myself. Thanks to everyone for the help on this! In case anyone is ever curious, It looks like you need M12x1.25x110 mm for the front bolts, M12x1.25x130mm for the back bolts and then M12x1inch spacers for all four. The back ones just take M8 bolts with half inch spacers. I will confirm once I get it all installed.

 

Any update on this mod?? I have recently added a Readylift 3" coilover with a Readylift tophat, Bilstein springs and 6112's in the front that included a diff drop kit. I installed the diff drop after reading the pros and cons and decided to place it due to the fact that many Toyota mechanics recommend it. Anyways, I too added the TRD PRO skid plate and it fit but the diff drop is in contact with the plate. Would there be any issue with the contact? Is there a spacer kit out there that will alleviate the problem? I know they make one for the Tundra.

 

The diff drop lowers the front diff mounts 1 inch. The centerline of the axles is behind the centerline between the front and rear diff mounts. So the amount of drop at the axles is less than 1/2 inch.

You could lower your lift by 1/2 inch, remove the diff drop and still have 1/2 inch more clearance than you did lifted with the diff drop.....

 

Does the Toyota OEM lift kit relocate the diff at all?

 

I second (or third) the comments above, no diff drop is needed with a 2"-ish lift

 

Dif drops are snake oil. Remove it and throw it in the trash.

 

Its been mentioned often on the forum. Diff drop baddd

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

 

Mine has been lifted 2" for 20k miles and 4 years. Not a hint of vibes (though I did do the ecgs bushing). And I appreciate the extra clearance under the front skid that a diff drop would take away a good chunk of. I'd go with just 1" lift before I did that.

 

This is a true 3" lift, and I actually measured out at 3-1/2" after install, knowing it will most likely settle. From what I'm hearing is take the diff drop spacers out, correct?? If so, why are so many Yota mechanics for them?

 

Yup, remove the diff drop. Take a look at the CV boot fins and make sure they're not rubbing each other; if they are rubbing—there are a few threads on how to solve that issue. Springs sometimes take a few months to settle totally; my 650# springs took about six weeks, whereas a set of 600# of a different brand took only about a week. Also, be aware that any lift will strain your needle bearings, and they very well might fail; luckily, it's an easy solution, ala ECGS. Happy truckin'

 

Don’t run the diff drop. Best advice i ever took. Maybe get an ecgs bushing when you can. You’ll thank us later

 

Where do you get the ECGS?? Does a shop have to install?