First gen diff drop? Yes or no?

Ouch. Those CV angle look formidable, but pushing things up 3" does that.

May have to consider doing the boot slide mod, so you don't keep eating up CV boots.

Also, with that much lift keep a close eye on your ball-joints.

 

Thanks for the advise, i will definetly do the boot mod. Im also going to install the diff drop. I hope this helps the busting boot issue. I am thinking about just installing new ball joints and both inner and outer tie rods while i have everything dissassembled.

On a side note, i have an addicted offroad front bumper im waiting to install. Will the added front end weight affect the cvs later?

 

THIS

 

I literally just did everything you're talking about doing:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ok-so-here-we-go.486087/page-3#post-15153600

I was totally taken by the "while I'm down there" bug...

 

Honestly from the perspective of ground clearance vs cv joint stress (not just the boot but the joint takes the brunt as well) drop bracket lifts aren't that bad, at least not the concept. It's basically a 4" diff drop that actually drops the diff 4". Maybe someone should come up with a 2" drop bracket kit that also comes with upgraded shocks/springs.

 

The boot slide mod will definitely help in the wear department, and the diff drop will alleviate a bit of the angle as well. And keeping up on ball-joints is a HUGE safety issue; keep an eye on them and check for torn boots and/or loose/clunky function.

The bumper weight won't matter; it will be negligible when it comes to CV longevity. The hardest things on CV's is high constant angle of operation, shock loading (off-road) while turning and lack of grease from torn-up boots.

Diff drop doesn't change ground clearance. It simply lowers the front diff a little bit within the factory crossmember in order to alleviate some CV angle created from lifts. I think you're getting this confused with drop-bracket lifts?

 

I think you're confused on how to read. I didn't say a thing about a diff drop other than using it as a comparator. I swear to god I can't say a single thing here without at least one person telling me I'm wrong.

Furthermore, while a diff dropped doesn't give a direct increase in ground clearance, why the actual fuck would someone install one much less be even talking about one unless they had planned to also install a suspension lift?

 

Didn't mean to trigger ya, man.

No one was discussing drop bracket lifts or ground clearance in any relation to CV's, so per the questions being asked and addressed, I'm not sure how bringing up 4" drop bracket lift's contributes. Still not sure how drop brackets would increase ground clearance.

I think everyone here, from what I've been told, already has a lift on their truck. They're just looking to alleviate a little CV angle given their existing lift.

Maybe I misunderstood your train of thought. Welcome to the internet.

 

No I apologize, woke up with a formidable hangover this morning. I meant to propose the drop bracket as an alternative to a diff drop since it actually achieves a 4" drop of the differential. Ground clearance and cv angles are pretty much hand in hand IMO and the increase in clearance comes indirectly from larger diameter tires which are only possible with some type of suspension lift or body modifications. None of these things were explicitly mentioned but what else are diff drops for?

 

Can I see a picture of the 6” fabtech with diff drop kit?? If you got any

 

Do I need jack stands or can. I but my truck on ramps do the diff drop

 

People always complain about how diff drops don't return the CV to the stock angle. No shit they don't. No one claims they do, lol

ANY reduction in CV angle is a good thing.

If you think that 1/2" of reduced ground clearance on the skid plate is going to make or break you getting through obstacles, you need to put the tape measure down and start driving off road more.

 

@mjp2 had a diff drop cause a major failure so I don't think its that crazy myself.

 

I don't see how that's physically possible.

My bet is either improper installation, a bad kit (like a failed bolt), or there were other issues independent of the diff drop.

 

I have manual hubs also so when it’s not locked in the axle doesn’t spin at all when driving in 2wd?

 

Diff drops are worthless

Fight me

 

I would, but I know you'd kick my ass.

I'm kind of a wimp.

 

Touche

 

I asked this question in another thread that has been dead for some time. Regarding the torque spec for the long bolts on the diff drop for the 1st Gen. I bought the diff drop from wheelers off road and in their instructions it says 77 ft lb for the torque spec. Everywhere else I have seen people have said to torque it to 101 ft lb. Has anyone else installed the wheelers off-road diff drop on their first gen and what did you torque the long bolts to? I did call wheelers and the guy didn't really have much to say about it and told me to go with 77 ft lb but I just want to make sure that this isn't too low.. I appreciate any feedback fellas!

 

Well... The FSM spec is 101. I'm not an engineer though- so I don't know if a 1" longer bolt, and lock nut makes a difference for the torque spec, and quick googling didn't turn up an easily readable result.

HOWEVER - you are way overthinking it. People wrench on their trucks all the time without a torque wrench. It's great to hit the torque values when you can, but for those two bolts- I don't think it would matter if they were at 70, 80, 90, or 101. Put 'em in there, torque them to the 77 Wheelers suggested, go drink a beer, and check on them in a month. Given the fact they are nylon lock nuts, I very much doubt they'll come off at 77ft lbs.