Make your own Diff drop?

[Labrum777]

Hey all, so $30 for a differential drop seems a bit far fetched for what looks like a pair of bolts and what could easily be a stack of washers for each. Couldn't you just make your own? I've read that a few others have already done this for all of $5 from their local hardware store. The question is this... how long are the bolts and what size? My guess is you need at least an inch of washers, yeah? I know some also include the drop for the skid plate as well but I still think it's ridiculous to spend $30 on something that should cost only a few bucks. So if you know the specs... chime in. Pro's or con's to using washers? If you've made your own, post up pics if you gottem! Thanks in advance.

 

[csp]

I'd find a spacer rather than stacking washers. Find them at someplace like MSC Direct or McMaster-Carr. You could also cut them out of the appropriate size steel tube.

 

[my92t4r]

Hey all, so $30 for a differential drop seems a bit far fetched for what looks like a pair of bolts and what could easily be a stack of washers for each. Couldn't you just make your own? I've read that a few others have already done this for all of $5 from their local hardware store. The question is this... how long are the bolts and what size? My guess is you need at least an inch of washers, yeah? I know some also include the drop for the skid plate as well but I still think it's ridiculous to spend $30 on something that should cost only a few bucks. So if you know the specs... chime in. Pro's or con's to using washers? If you've made your own, post up pics if you gottem! Thanks in advance.

you're paying for R&D

 

[snivilous]

you're paying for R&D

lol like the world's cheapest R&D.

OP, pull one of the diff bolts, match up the threads and get one an inch longer, then put an inch of washers and you're done. That's assuming you don't want to get fancy with an actual "spacer", which washers vs a spacer won't make a shit of difference performance wise. I agree $30 for $5 of parts is a rip off.

 

[mxer]

Washers will shift and potentially cause the bolt to get loose. I would stick with spacers.

You can basically complain about all the mark up on parts. A bumper they sell for 900 bucks probably cost 200 in materials and labor.

Some people on here spend 70 bucks on TRD stickers.

 

[alaskafisherman]

Hey all, so $30 for a differential drop seems a bit far fetched for what looks like a pair of bolts and what could easily be a stack of washers for each. Couldn't you just make your own? I've read that a few others have already done this for all of $5 from their local hardware store. The question is this... how long are the bolts and what size? My guess is you need at least an inch of washers, yeah? I know some also include the drop for the skid plate as well but I still think it's ridiculous to spend $30 on something that should cost only a few bucks. So if you know the specs... chime in. Pro's or con's to using washers? If you've made your own, post up pics if you gottem! Thanks in advance.

Hey,
I have some 1 1/4" solid round bar left over from a project that i can cut and drill out for spacers for you if you would like, Since you live just north of me. that way you dont have to worry about washers shifting.

 

[Labrum777]

Thanks

Big Thanks to [MENTION=95347]pattycakes77[/MENTION] who had a diff drop laying around and offered to just mail it to me for the cost of shipping.

This is why I love this forum. Seems like 4Runner owners are always going out of their way to hook other forum members up.

 

[GoreD]

I was also thinking of just using washers with longer bolts. I don't think stover nuts will come lose ...