Great video on diff drops

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Keep in mind he is working on the 4th/5th/FJ platform - but in this case, his point is 100% correct. There's a reason why my front end is only lifted ~1.5"...

-Charlie
 
When I bought my springs and shocks from Larry at Dirty Parts in 2013, he confidently poo-poo'd diff drops for my common 2-2.5" spring lift. In the 77K miles since (maybe 2K? in 4WD) nothing bad has happened and the CVs are still the originals at 197K miles.
 
Bad Luck said:
All of his videos are fantastic. He explains the science behind it all and then physically demonstrates that science.
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Yup, given that I have an engineer brain (even if I don't have a degree) I love how he explains all this stuff with the theory and shows the real world results. Doing proper scientific method for Toyotas.
 
Great vid and link!

I bought a diff drop that I never installed after doing some research and reading. The benefit seemed negligible and I chose to solve for some of the concerns the diff drop was supposed to address. differently.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
 
I need to get under and look closer to see what it would take to have a true full diff drop, not just lower the front for .3-.4” with the current products out there.

There probably is a very good reason that it doesn’t exist already.

That said, I don’t know if it’s needed really.
 
Romeo1 said:
I need to get under and look closer to see what it would take to have a true full diff drop, not just lower the front for .3-.4” with the current products out there.

There probably is a very good reason that it doesn’t exist already.

That said, I don’t know if it’s needed really.
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It does exist actually but only an Aussie company makes them. I don't understand why more don't make them for people that actually do have extreme CV angles (which is a lot less of us 4runner owners than the gadget companies like to admit).
 
Romeo1 said:
I need to get under and look closer to see what it would take to have a true full diff drop, not just lower the front for .3-.4” with the current products out there.

There probably is a very good reason that it doesn’t exist already.

That said, I don’t know if it’s needed really.
Click to expand...
The rear mount of the front diff is the pivot point that can't drop unless you can buy or fabricate a new, lower rear-mount. That MIGHT net a 3/4-1" drop of the entire diff but will potentially interfere with the steering rack.

SAS is the ultimate diff drop

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
 
octanejunkie said:
The rear mount of the front diff is the pivot point that can't drop unless you can buy or fabricate a new, lower rear-mount. That MIGHT net a 3/4-1" drop of the entire diff but will potentially interfere with the steering rack.

SAS is the ultimate diff drop

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
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For sure. SAS is the ultimate in that department.
 
Rushthezeppelin said:
It does exist actually but only an Aussie company makes them. I don't understand why more don't make them for people that actually do have extreme CV angles (which is a lot less of us 4runner owners than the gadget companies like to admit).
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Yeah, it looks like there isn’t an application for our rigs. Seems like they start in the mid 2000s and go from there from what I could find unless my google fu missed something.

It probably is super niche. Let’s face it, the hard core crowd is fairly small. How many of those don’t even fight it and go straight to a long travel or axle swap.
 
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That video covers general theory and is not 3rd-gen specific 'science'. Basically, he says there in no real danger running a diff-drop but it can create a 1" clearance issue on (some) Toyotas. He debunks the pinion-angle and lubrication myths. The diff drop is probably just an unnecessary easy to install feel-good mod lots of newly-lifted 3rd gen owners get caught up in right after their first torn CV boot(s) experience - like me. I'm leaving mine for now. At least until I find my stock length bolts LOL. His lift advice for more droop non-LT rigs is probably right on.
 
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Endlessblockades said:
That video covers general theory and is not 3rd-gen specific 'science'. Basically, he says there in no real danger running a diff-drop but it can create a 1" clearance issue on (some) Toyotas. He debunks the pinion-angle and lubrication myths. The diff drop is probably just an unnecessary easy to install feel-good mod lots of newly-lifted 3rd gen owners get caught up in right after their first torn CV boot(s) experience - like me. I'm leaving mine for now. At least until I find my stock length bolts LOL. His lift advice for more droop non-LT rigs is probably right on.
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Lol I bit the bullet and just decided to order new bolts. I doubt the PO would be able to track them down anyway if he even installed the drop in the first place. $12 bucks and I can get my factory skids reinstalled.
 
Rushthezeppelin said:
Lol I bit the bullet and just decided to order new bolts. I doubt the PO would be able to track them down anyway if he even installed the drop in the first place. $12 bucks and I can get my factory skids reinstalled.
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If the diff-drop interferes with OEM skids - definitely yank em and get your skids back on. At least skids perform a tangible function!
 
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I always assumed the diff drop was more for CV boot wear than any protection for the CV shaft joints. And it does help with that, allowing a slight bit more ride height before the ribs start rubbing when rolling straight ahead.

I did a manual hub swap on mine though, so I guess it matters even less now. My skids (Savage) aren't affected by the diff drop, so I guess there's not much of a reason to take it off at this point.
 
3" lift or more helped with boot wear. 2007-08.
Been running one 13 years 225k+- mi 2.5-3.5" lift, no lube problems boot wear like OE.
Can't say it hurt me debatable if it helped.
 
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