Bilstein 5100 / Tundra TRD / OME 890 Review

[tre9er]

I plan to install Tundra/906 lift soon with Bilstein shocks all 4 using the lowest perch on the front out of 5. This is on a 99 4Runner Limited. Wondering if you guys recommend putting the front diff drop on or not... Would the Tundra coils on the lowest shock perch really make a big angle on the CV's?

Does not bother me to put it on but wondering if there would be any reason not to with this mild lift?? From what I have heard the diff drop will decrease undercarriage clearance an inch, is that true?

The diff drop is insurance, but it's not been really proven to solve all issues with a lift. Your CVs may start to leak at the boot, just watch them and be prepared to overclamp or reboot them if they do. The problem arises when you don't notice they are spitting grease for some time, then they lose it all, then they start getting chewed up. Even if that happens you can decide to throw some NAPA lifetimes in there for $100 or so. Granted, they're not nearly as strong as OEM, but a fraction of the cost. If you don't do lots of crawling, it will likely be fine.

 

[FairWeatherRunner]

Thanks for the reply!

What do you suppose the standard is when people put on a 2-3" lift? Diff drop installed or not?

Does the diff drop lower the undercarriage clearance?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I plan to install Tundra/906 lift soon with Bilstein shocks all 4 using the lowest perch on the front out of 5. This is on a 99 4Runner Limited. Wondering if you guys recommend putting the front diff drop on or not... Would the Tundra coils on the lowest shock perch really make a big angle on the CV's?

Does not bother me to put it on but wondering if there would be any reason not to with this mild lift?? From what I have heard the diff drop will decrease undercarriage clearance an inch, is that true?

With tundra coils and shocks on the front and the 906s in the back, you may have a tiny bit of negative rake (back lower than front). The tundras up front give a little bit more than 2" set on the bottom perch. I got 2.75" with used springs on the 2nd perch. Each perch setting gives .66" of lift. I used 890s which gave me 3" in the back, which gave me a tiny bit of positive rake. Some using the 906s also installed small coil spacers (10-20mm)

Shouldn't need a dif drop. 2" is about the limit as people have said on this forum. You do lose 1" of clearance with a dif drop.

 

[tre9er]

Thanks for the reply!

What do you suppose the standard is when people put on a 2-3" lift? Diff drop installed or not?

Does the diff drop lower the undercarriage clearance?

All it does is rotate the front of the diff downward a little. The end result is less than an inch, because it's rotating, not straight dropping down. There is a bit of a debate on it's usefulness, which to me means it's up to you and you can't feel stupid for either doing it, or not doing it.

If you don't mind spending the money and installing it, sure, why not. I won't be doing one.

 

[Supermoney]

I plan to install Tundra/906 lift soon with Bilstein shocks all 4 using the lowest perch on the front out of 5. This is on a 99 4Runner Limited. Wondering if you guys recommend putting the front diff drop on or not... Would the Tundra coils on the lowest shock perch really make a big angle on the CV's?

Does not bother me to put it on but wondering if there would be any reason not to with this mild lift?? From what I have heard the diff drop will decrease undercarriage clearance an inch, is that true?

If you only plan on running on the bottom perch I wouldn't worry about the diff drop.

 

[FairWeatherRunner]

Keeping the front shocks on the bottom perch and doing the diff drop.... It would help the CV angles, better longevity, and less chance for leaks? The only negative with doing the drop would be loss of undercarriage clearance?

I know its like beating a dead horse, but good to hear all the opinions!

 

[tre9er]

Keeping the front shocks on the bottom perch and doing the diff drop.... It would help the CV angles, better longevity, and less chance for leaks? The only negative with doing the drop would be loss of undercarriage clearance?

I know its like beating a dead horse, but good to hear all the opinions!

Like I said, if you have the time and money, and feel the diff drop is worth it, go ahead. The 1" diff drop doesn't actually move the CVs down by 1". It's closer to 0.5" I believe, because it's rotating the front of the diff, not dropping it straight down.

 

[busmup808]

All it does is rotate the front of the diff downward a little. The end result is less than an inch, because it's rotating, not straight dropping down. There is a bit of a debate on it's usefulness, which to me means it's up to you and you can't feel stupid for either doing it, or not doing it.

If you don't mind spending the money and installing it, sure, why not. I won't be doing one.

Exactly why I didn't and mines at the 2nd perch from the bottom with YY & BY. It did spot a little, but I fixed that with hose clamps. I also took it wheeling in the mountains and didn't seep at all. I guess I got lucky

 

[Blute]

I did this exact same lift. I was considering the diff drop, but ended up not bothering to do it because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of modifying the skid plate.

My CV boots oozed some grease, but I put some SS clamps on there and they have been fine since.

 

[tre9er]

I did this exact same lift. I was considering the diff drop, but ended up not bothering to do it because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of modifying the skid plate.

My CV boots oozed some grease, but I put some SS clamps on there and they have been fine since.

You used worm clamps, I assume?

 

[Blute]

You used worm clamps, I assume?

Yep, these:
McMaster-Carr

 

[tre9er]

Yep, these:
McMaster-Carr

Cool, so no notches touch the boot with that exact size you linked? I'm guessing this was the inner boot, on the outer side, ie. the smaller clamp on the boot closest to the diff? That's where I've seen the most failure, anecdotally.

 

[Blute]

Cool, so no notches touch the boot with that exact size you linked? I'm guessing this was the inner boot, on the outer side, ie. the smaller clamp on the boot closest to the diff? That's where I've seen the most failure, anecdotally.

That's correct. Also, these are 3/8" wide which fit perfectly in the groove on the boot. All I could find in local shops were 1/2" wide. Some folks have found some at West Marine or other stores like that.

 

[GVL]

I did this exact same lift. I was considering the diff drop, but ended up not bothering to do it because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of modifying the skid plate.

My CV boots oozed some grease, but I put some SS clamps on there and they have been fine since.

Hey Blute, if you have a minute could you snap a pic of the CV's with your added clamps. I haven't had an issue yet, but should add them as a preventative measure. Just curious where they sit with the with the factory clamps on there.
[MENTION=86004]Supermoney[/MENTION] Our rigs may look very similar when you ditch the boards and add some 33's - great color choice :thumb:

 

[Blute]

Hey Blute, if you have a minute could you snap a pic of the CV's with your added clamps. I haven't had an issue yet, but should add them as a preventative measure. Just curious where they sit with the with the factory clamps on there.

[MENTION=86004]Supermoney[/MENTION] Our rigs may look very similar when you ditch the boards and add some 33's - great color choice :thumb:

You replace the factory clamps. Real easy to do. Here's a good thread with pics:
Replacing CV bands - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

I didn't add any new grease. I just removed the factory clamps, then added the hose clamps. You can also use zip ties as a temporary fix if they are leaking. The factory clamps just don't hold tight enough.

 

[justinh]

I'm running the same front set-up but on the LOWEST perch and my height on the front measured from centercap to the bottom of my "big" flare is 22".

I have 891's in the back and the difference is right at 1" compared to the front. I have some 890's on the way, I'd like to decrease the rake some without raising the front.

I have an AllPro Apex front bumper but no winch in it (yet) so the weight gain is really negligible over stock.

I'm running 285/75/16 BFG all-terrains on FJ Cruiser Trail Team wheels.

 

[Supermoney]

I'm running the same front set-up but on the LOWEST perch and my height on the front measured from centercap to the bottom of my "big" flare is 22".

I have 891's in the back and the difference is right at 1" compared to the front. I have some 890's on the way, I'd like to decrease the rake some without raising the front.

I have an AllPro Apex front bumper but no winch in it (yet) so the weight gain is really negligible over stock.

I'm running 285/75/16 BFG all-terrains on FJ Cruiser Trail Team wheels.

You will have too much rake if you run 890s and 1st perch I'm afraid.

 

[justinh]

You will have too much rake if you run 890s and 1st perch I'm afraid.

Like I said in my last post, I only have ~1" of rake now with 891's in the back. I'd like for it to drop a little but if it doesn't I won't be upset. I don't need the load carrying capacity day to day that the 891's offer.

I've run the 891's on several 4runners over the years and decided it was time to give something else a shot. I'll know next week exactly where it puts my 4runner.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Like I said in my last post, I only have ~1" of rake now with 891's in the back. I'd like for it to drop a little but if it doesn't I won't be upset. I don't need the load carrying capacity day to day that the 891's offer.

I've run the 891's on several 4runners over the years and decided it was time to give something else a shot. I'll know next week exactly where it puts my 4runner.

891s have the same lift as 890s but are designed for more weight. Definitely wont change the height. Might change the ride. I was considering the 891s because I thought the 890s were just a little soft. After a 3000 trek to Florida, with a load and 2 grown teenagers in the back seats, I'm very happy with the ride. Do the 891s have a harsh ride? Why not put the front up to the next perch? You'll still have a little positive rake. I know, taking those front coilovers is a PITA.

 

[justinh]

891s have the same lift as 890s but are designed for more weight. Definitely wont change the height. Might change the ride. I was considering the 891s because I thought the 890s were just a little soft. After a 3000 trek to Florida, with a load and 2 grown teenagers in the back seats, I'm very happy with the ride. Do the 891s have a harsh ride? Why not put the front up to the next perch? You'll still have a little positive rake. I know, taking those front coilovers is a PITA.

I don't think the ride is terrible, but if I can achieve the same "look" with a softer spring I'm all for it! I put a lot of highway miles (about 25k/year) on this thing and our other car is a Lexus so ride quality is important.

I could go higher in the front....but my 285/75/16 are clearing just fine at the current height and the cv angles are better. The suspension travel is also closer to it's range so down travel is better, etc. I would probably drop all the way down to some 906's before raising the front. But again, the rake is only about an inch and I do tow my boat and utility trailer around as needed (never very far). So I'm not likely to spend any time chasing the rake if the ride quality ends up where I want it. Have you ever seen a 4runner running land cruiser coils in person? All the ones I've seen in person have 3x (or more) the rake my 4runner does.