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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 4,976
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To start - what year/make/model of 4Runner do you have?
The diff drops typically are more of a "clocking" that rotates the diff some to help lower the output shaft position. In some generations like the 5th gen, they do very little to help with CV angles.
Generally, on the 5th gen and probably also 4th gen, the primary issue with angle is actually the CV boots. The CV joints aren't wearing out that I'm aware of in any meaningful way at higher angles. It's the boots that fail at high angle. CVs can both bind and also become weaker at extreme angles, but with the OEM control arms, this hasn't been an issue I'm aware of on the later models. The weaker joints in the earlier generations is more of an issue. The later models are very strong.
The diff drops rarely cause issues with differential clearance because the diff is not the lowest point up front. The cross members are lower, so dropping the diff an inch is still, in most cases, higher than the cross members and with most skid plates, it's still not interfering with the skid plate. So it doesn't hurt the ground clearance.
The ride quality degrades as you go higher. Your best ride quality will be stock height. And IMO having run my 5th gen at every height from 0-3", the best balance is around 1.5" of lift for overall highway ride quality. 1.5" up front and about 1" rear lift with 34" tires works really well for almost everywhere I go in my 4Runner other than the harder rock gardens. I do re-adjust my setup to 3" lift front and rear for the Rubithon trip. Not ideal - but it takes about an hour or so to crank up the front coilovers, swap rear springs, and re-adjust the alignment close enough for the trip. I just reset when I get back.
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