Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit: Your thoughts?

So what we're saying - install diff drop, expose to rock damage. Don't install and you're replacing cv boots every other year?
 
So what we're saying - install diff drop, expose to rock damage. Don't install and you're replacing cv boots every other year?

No. Install diff drop and lose some ground clearance, affect the way oil sits in your diff because you're only dropping half of it, and barley change CV angles. Dont install it and dont worry about anything, unless youre higher than 3" your CV's should be fine, if the fins touch than do the stretch mod.
 
What's the stretch mod? There's no doubt it changes the way the oil sits, but do we know it's harmful, or just a theory? I'm in dirt and ruts, not rocks. If it saves my CVs, I'll sacrifice
0.5" of clearance. BUT, of its harmful, I'll take it off.
 
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If your CVs are slightly touching you can remove the clamp that holds them in in place, stretch the boot out a bit further, and hose clamp it in place.

Before
udu5y2ej.jpg


After
jatytepu.jpg


Took the second pic before I trimmed the clamp.
 
I plan on getting the TT ultimate lift on my 2012 SR5. I plan on getting the LR UCA's and on installing the diff drop kit. I plan on setting the height at 2.5 I don't know if it's the same, but before my T4R I had a 2011 Tacoma 4x4 On the front I went up 2.5" and I did not change the UCA's and we were able to align the truck no problem on our alignment machine. I put a little over 10,000 miles on that thing with the front diff drop installed and I had ZERO issues. My dad has the truck now and it still has ZERO issues.
 
Two followup questions -

-Without a diff drop installed there should be no skid plate fitment issues?

-I've seen the Toytec Ultimate lift varies from 2.5 to 3". What do I tell the shop to have them err closer to 2.5"?
 
Two followup questions -

-Without a diff drop installed there should be no skid plate fitment issues?

-I've seen the Toytec Ultimate lift varies from 2.5 to 3". What do I tell the shop to have them err closer to 2.5"?

-Nope. No issues with fitment.

-Just tell them what you want. Any decent shop should take before measurements and adjust it accordingly. But remember, you won't have your final height until the springs settle and you do a final alignment
 
I've had a lift for almost 3 years on mine and still the stock cv's and boots. Foreign damage like rocks, sticks and such are what usually damages the boots . What normally breaks cv's is when a front wheel is turned and caught in a hole or crack and too much skinny pedal.

Keep researching and form your own opinions on a diff drop as this almost identical IFS suspension has been out for more then 10 years now on 4Runners,Tacos and FJ's.In the end,who really cares if someone has one or not as it's there truck!
There are at least about 50 threads on it by now.Here are a couple of more very informative ones...........
toytec diff drop doesn't do jack

Diff Drop

Diff Drop kit - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
 
The coilovers are supposed to come set at +3". I adjusted it down per Toytec's instructions (which is basically the amount you move the collar x2 is your change in height). I got my first alignment immediately after the install. Then drove it around a couple weeks, took measurements, adjusted one more time and had a final alignment done. I can't give you an exact period of time. Maybe one of the more experienced guys can. I just felt like a couple hundred miles was plenty. :shrug: Depending on how particular you are, you might end up making several adjustments/ taking several trips to the alignment guy.
 
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Thanks for the links Harper! The first link is really good. It shows there isn't much benefit; just a 1/2" drop at the CV. But I also doubt that a 1/2" drop would seriously affect lubrication. Right?

I'm thinking the same thing.

So basically from what I gathered, installing a 2.5" Toytec Ultimate lift WITHOUT the drop diff should be fine. Leaving off the drop diff allows you to maximize your ground clearance. You should be able to get it to stock specs regarding alignment. Apparently there is not enough drop to actually make that much of a difference unless you are getting up and beyond 3" of lift.

UCAs: should you decide to add some aftermarket UCA's, it might help a little with getting their alignment closer to the ideal specs than you would say with the stock UCAs. But whether you stick with stock UCAs or go with aftermarket, you still shouldn't have any problem getting the alignment within specs.

I would like to see some people's alignment spec sheets who say they have it within specs with a 3 inch front lift and stock UCA's as Harper suggested earlier.

I am going with this lift kit. Now I need to decided whether or not to go with aftermarket UCAs or stick with stock. Thats the only roadblock holding me back right now. The question is, do aftermarket UCA benefits outweigh their potential problems?
 
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I'm thinking the same thing.

So basically from what I gathered, installing a 2.5" Toytec Ultimate lift WITHOUT the drop diff should be fine. Leaving off the drop diff allows you to maximize your ground clearance. You should be able to get it to stock specs regarding alignment. Apparently there is not enough drop to actually make that much of a difference unless you are getting up and beyond 3" of lift.

UCAs: should you decide to add some aftermarket UCA's, it might help a little with getting their alignment closer to the ideal specs than you would say with the stock UCAs. But whether you stick with stock UCAs or go with aftermarket, you still shouldn't have any problem getting the alignment within specs.

I would like to see some people's alignment spec sheets who say they have it within specs with a 3 inch front lift and stock UCA's as Harper suggested earlier.

I am going with this lift kit. Now I need to decided whether or not to go with aftermarket UCAs or stick with stock. Thats the only roadblock holding me back right now. The question is, do aftermarket UCA benefits outweigh their potential problems?

There are no problems with aftermarket UCA's. If you want quite ones get LR's, if you want uniball go with TC, built right, DSM, or camburg.
 
There are no problems with aftermarket UCA's. If you want quite ones get LR's, if you want uniball go with TC, built right, DSM, or camburg.

Yep. I think you might be confusing UCAs with the diff drop W8kbrder. If your budget isn't a factor, you might as well get UCAs. Though getting them dialed-in can be a hassle depending on who's doing your alignment. What height do you plan on going with? That also affects how beneficial UCAs are.
 
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Yep. I think you might be confusing UCAs with the diff drop W8kbrder. If your budget isn't a factor, you might as well get UCAs. Though getting them dialed-in can be a hassle depending on who's doing your alignment. What height do you plan on going with? That also affects how beneficial UCAs are.

Thanks KC. Maybe I did. Budget is not a factor. I don't mind getting the aftermarket UCAs. Just want to know if they are truly beneficial.

As far as the height of the lift, I plan on going as high as I can without causing any issues. So I'm guessing 2.5" with the Toytec is decent? Apparently everyone seems to think that once you get to 3"...you start running out of room to stretch things so I want to make sure I don't stretch it too much.
 
I haven't verified it since I adjusted after the initial sag but I am at about 3in of lift, possibly a hair more up front with no issues. I do have the dif drop as well as all the relocation brackets with the LR UCA's.

I am fortunate that I have a friend who owns a fab shop and specializes in offroad vehicles. He did the install and he had no concerns with the CV angle or diff drop. Granted I am taking it to him tomorrow for an unrelated issue so I will have him take another look at everything and post back if he has any concerns after the 8k I have driven since my lift.
 
Thanks KC. Maybe I did. Budget is not a factor. I don't mind getting the aftermarket UCAs. Just want to know if they are truly beneficial.

As far as the height of the lift, I plan on going as high as I can without causing any issues. So I'm guessing 2.5" with the Toytec is decent? Apparently everyone seems to think that once you get to 3"...you start running out of room to stretch things so I want to make sure I don't stretch it too much.

If money isn't an issue than why not get some kings or fox's or even icon's? The toytec's are alright but they're basically 5100's with an adjustable collar. For a little more you can get legit coilovers.
 
Also considering getting a lift for a 2013 Trail. gotta get the trail first, but not doing the install myself, would the dealer be a good option for the install or does everyone typically shy away from them to go to a favorite shop? There was a nice looking tacoma in their showroom that they had done.
 
$$$$

Also considering getting a lift for a 2013 Trail. gotta get the trail first, but not doing the install myself, would the dealer be a good option for the install or does everyone typically shy away from them to go to a favorite shop? There was a nice looking tacoma in their showroom that they had done.

By far the dealer is the most expensive place you could possibly get the work done and in all likelihood their mechanics are no better or maybe less competent than the guy down the street. I guess you are lucky the dealer is even willing to do the work. Most won't. Perhaps you could inquire if the warranty also covers the aftermarket parts and labor since they are doing the work. In that case, the extra $$$ may almost be worth it.
 
By far the dealer is the most expensive place you could possibly get the work done and in all likelihood their mechanics are no better or maybe less competent than the guy down the street. I guess you are lucky the dealer is even willing to do the work. Most won't. Perhaps you could inquire if the warranty also covers the aftermarket parts and labor since they are doing the work. In that case, the extra $$$ may almost be worth it.

Yeah, I knew they'd be the most $$, but my thoughts were to keep it all good with the warranty. If I were to have it done someplace else and that we're to cause a warranty issue down the road then,,,? Thanks for your response.
 

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