Problems installing diff drop

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k2damfc

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I just installed the toytec boss 3" lift on the front and now going in to install the diff drop I can barely squeeze the spacers in. Looks like the diff won't drop very far at all. Seems like I'm hitting the frame. Frame doe not look to be bent or damaged in anyway. Anyone else run into this problem? Any fixes come about?
Thanks in advance
 
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Diff drops are a waist of time.

Post some pics tho. It’s impossible to tell what’s going on Without more info.



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Dude I had the same issue. On side goes in just right and drivers side doesn’t. Use a pry bar to pull down juts enough to get it in there.


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snow junky said:
Diff drops are a waist of time.
Click to expand...

I went from breaking CVs in the snow and in the air with 31's (without steering) to being able to bounce and catch with 35s with most steering without breaking them.

I used to think it was a waste as well but tried it out and it's been wonderful, people seem to get mixed results but I've gone through close to 10 CVs before I made the switch and haven't broken any putting a serious beat down on them since.

Running 2 1/4 drop btw
 
k2damfc said:
I just installed the toytec boss 3" lift on the front and now going in to install the diff drop I can barely squeeze the spacers in. Looks like the diff won't drop very far at all. Seems like I'm hitting the frame. Frame doe not look to be bent or damaged in anyway. Anyone else run into this problem? Any fixes come about?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Take some pictures, if you're running into something, it shouldn't be there.

If you just can't get it to go down then use a long pipe, big wrench, or breaker bar to wedge one side down at a time. Also start with the drivers side.
 
I can get the spacers in, they just don't line up with the holes going into the frame. Looks like the rear of the diff is hitting the crossmember that sits below it. Would the fact that I'm not parked level effect that? Parked in my driveway and it is no where near level ground. Should I do the rear lift and then try again?

Here are some pics I took. Showing where it's touching the crossmember. Cross member has no stress marks, dents, creases or anything that would tell me it's bent or pushed up. I was able to get the spacers in but my holes going up thru the frame are 1/2" or so away

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I wouldn't think it would honestly but I've never done a lift so new experience brings new problems. Just narrowing down potential issues.
 
Something is definitely not adding up. I've installed diff drops on two different rigs now, a 3rd Gen 4runner and a 1st Gen Tacoma and it was very easy. Have you checked the condition of the rear mount for the front differential. The rear mount has a stud that drops into the cross member and is held tight with an allen head nut. Maybe that mount has deteriorated or the nut came lose allowing movement in the differential that shouldn't be happening.
 
Up in the mountains now working on my camper. When I get back down I'll check that rear mount. From all videos I've watched and sites I've visited it shouldn't be hard at all. When I took out the bolts the thing didn't even drop far enough to put in the spacers. Then when I pried it down I saw the contact it was making and pushing the diff forward if anything. It's always the simple stuff that is hard for me on every vehicle I've owned lol. The front lift went in easy peasy now the simple part of the diff drop is screwing me over.


Thanks for everyone's input so far.
 
same thing happened to me with the SS diff drop. I called Steve during the process, and sent him the same pictures. He told me based on the year it's a crapshoot whether they used pre-face lift cross members vs. post face-lift cross members (or something like that).

anyway, my solution involved a large pry bar and some muscle, but I managed to finally wedge it in there. You just REALLY have to pry that ish up hard.
 
k2damfc said:
Up in the mountains now working on my camper. When I get back down I'll check that rear mount. From all videos I've watched and sites I've visited it shouldn't be hard at all. When I took out the bolts the thing didn't even drop far enough to put in the spacers. Then when I pried it down I saw the contact it was making and pushing the diff forward if anything. It's always the simple stuff that is hard for me on every vehicle I've owned lol. The front lift went in easy peasy now the simple part of the diff drop is screwing me over.


Thanks for everyone's input so far.
Click to expand...
Just had to be a giant rain storm right as I needed to take this pics for you...

Anyhow,
I went and looked under both my rigs and we either have different cross member locations or something is different with the mounting of them.

Here is a picture of how much room I have with 2 1/4 inch diff drop

I can take more pictures if you need, we will get that dang drop in!!
478a89fc49f978ddb0ebe1461d590819.jpg


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So it's looking like the round thing is the culprit. Looks like a regulator to me but idk what it is. It's actually touching the frame now and won't let me push the diff towards the rear that little amount to line up my holes.

**Pictures show the right being the ground/down**
 

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Last edited:
Tried again, just as the rain started coming, and was able to get it in. A bit of force and starting on the driver side I was able to get it in. Still looks like the disc part is touching the frame, but since they move as one I'm sure it won't be a problem.
Thanks everyone for taking some time out of there day to help a brutha out.

Also dam 2.25" drop, 1" was hard enough. Couldn't imagine a 2"+
 
k2damfc said:
Tried again, just as the rain started coming, and was able to get it in. A bit of force and starting on the driver side I was able to get it in. Still looks like the disc part is touching the frame, but since they move as one I'm sure it won't be a problem.
Thanks everyone for taking some time out of there day to help a brutha out.

Also dam 2.25" drop, 1" was hard enough. Couldn't imagine a 2"+
Click to expand...
Like I said before, it's like yours is different... Running more than 3 inches of diff drop would be near impossible for me, bending it to 3 is pretty hard but would be pretty easy for me because of the tools I have. I just didn't need that much though, don't want to increase the chances of smashing it either.

Glad you got it in! Nothing should get damaged with the 2 touching. Enjoy not ruining your boots and snapping the CV housing as often as well!

Got any plans like lockers in mind? 3rd gens are perfect for front lockers if you wire them. Front lockers are also Superior to rears in most situations.



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k2damfc said:
View attachment 269773View attachment 269775
So it's looking like the round thing is the culprit. Looks like a regulator to me but idk what it is. It's actually touching the frame now and won't let me push the diff towards the rear that little amount to line up my holes.

**Pictures show the right being the ground/down**
Click to expand...

That round piece is the vacuum actuator for front diff, no worky no 4wd. What is the condition of the rubber bushing mounts for front diff? There are 3, two at front where you put the drop kit, one at the rear of diff. If you leave it like it is I see problems in your future. I've installed a few 1" drop kits all had no interference with crossmember but close.
 
I was under mine doing a xfer case fluid srv and was wondering how a diff drop would work cuz there was little wiggle room between cross member and diff


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