Current thoughts on CV axle angle

[Txoverland]

Not a lot of recent discussion on this that I could find. Just got my ‘18 200 back with kings and spc uca, ome rear springs and Ironman front bumper. It’s over the 2” of lift I planned on, closer to 3.5 based on measurements taken before and after. Fairly level front to back. I’m getting about a 15 degree angle on the front axles and this seems a bit aggressive to me. I have read some current info against diff drops in 16+ 200s. What’s the current thought on this? The diff drop or no diff drop question.
Is 15 degrees a lot for these CVs?

 

[Tex68w]

Which P/N for the rear OME springs? I'd assume that it will settle some as it breaks in but it definitely looks somewhat taxed. What size tires are you running there? It definitely looks like you could go up a few sizes with ease. Lastly, who did the lift install?

 

[Txoverland]

Which P/N for the rear OME springs? I'd assume that it will settle some as it breaks in but it definitely looks somewhat taxed. What size tires are you running there? It definitely looks like you could go up a few sizes with ease. Lastly, who did the lift install?

Stock size KO2s, makes the tires look way small, the rear spring is supposed to be standard load
Duggy’s garage in Houston did the install

 

[Txoverland]

Which P/N for the rear OME springs? I'd assume that it will settle some as it breaks in but it definitely looks somewhat taxed. What size tires are you running there? It definitely looks like you could go up a few sizes with ease. Lastly, who did the lift install?

722x

 

[Fj60+]

The rear will settle for sure, are you able to adjust the collar on those kings down to lower the lift in the front a bit? That should help with the cv angle if the front shocks aren’t at max lift. I would lower it so you have a bit of rake in the front and the rear will settle over the next 10-15k. It looks sick AF though I love the build it’s on of my favorites.

 

[bloc]

 

[Txoverland]

I have watched all this guys stuff, he is awesome

 

[Txoverland]

The rear will settle for sure, are you able to adjust the collar on those kings down to lower the lift in the front a bit? That should help with the cv angle if the front shocks aren’t at max lift. I would lower it so you have a bit of rake in the front and the rear will settle over the next 10-15k. It looks sick AF though I love the build it’s on of my favorites.

That’s the plan, I’m not sure how much the rear will settle, but I’m in line for a dissent rear with carrier that might help. I’m just more concerned with the cv angel. Things were so much simpler in the wrangler world.

 

[AnyMal]

So tell us, what tires are you looking at? Lol

 

[Txoverland]

So tell us, what tires are you looking at? Lol

Lol I’m going to wait a bit on that. If I stare at it long enough maybe I’ll desensitize myself to the roller skate tires.

 

[Churro]

Hey, what was the outcome with the CV angle. I’m sitting at around 16ish and I keep tearing CV boots. Did you end up doing a diff drop or just adjusting your front suspension down a bit?

 

[Txoverland]

Hey man, I choose to just ignore it after speaking with several other 200 owners with similar angles. I’m at about 14 degrees, it still looks really steep to me, but I haven’t had any issues, I watch it closely though. I have done quite a bit of off roading and have about 20k on the lift with some big drooping. Do you think your boots are tearing due to friction on itself or what? A drop doesn’t seem like it’s going to make much difference in the angle.

 

[skrypj]

Assuming king did their jobs, the shocks wont allow the suspension to droop so far that the CV's over extended anyways, so other than maybe faster wear on the CV's, I dont think its a problem.

3.5" of lift is cutting into your downtravel though.

 

[Txoverland]

Assuming king did their jobs, the shocks wont allow the suspension to droop so far that the CV's over extended anyways, so other than maybe faster wear on the CV's, I dont think its a problem.

3.5" of lift is cutting into your downtravel though.

Yep it has limitations I’m not afraid to admit that, I have been humbled by wranglers on the trail

 

[linuxgod]

I’m shocked that you’re only at 15 degrees. You might want to double check that. I think I’m at 10* with a diff drop and 25* without one, and I have less than 3.5”’of lift.

Either way IMO you have too much preload and your ride is going to suck over bumps and potholes around town because there’s very little downtravel available.

 

[Txoverland]

I’m at about 3”, I did have them back off the preload. This is an old post from 2 yrs ago, I’m happy with how it performs

 

[Churro]

Hey man, I choose to just ignore it after speaking with several other 200 owners with similar angles. I’m at about 14 degrees, it still looks really steep to me, but I haven’t had any issues, I watch it closely though. I have done quite a bit of off roading and have about 20k on the lift with some big drooping. Do you think your boots are tearing due to friction on itself or what? A drop doesn’t seem like it’s going to make much difference in the angle.

I do believe that the inner CV boots are tearing due to them rubbing on themselves. 2 sets this far have torn. It should be noted that these are cheap re-manufactured CV axles and not original Toyota parts. From the research and experience I have tapped into on this site, I decided against the diff drop. I am sitting at around 2.6” of lift on the front so I have considered just adjusted the front suspension down a half an inch and then replacing the CV’s with genuine Toyota axles. I drive on average 4K miles a month. Just last year we put 65k on ol “Lola”. Thoughts?

 

[Txoverland]

I do believe that the inner CV boots are tearing due to them rubbing on themselves. 2 sets this far have torn. It should be noted that these are cheap re-manufactured CV axles and not original Toyota parts. From the research and experience I have tapped into on this site, I decided against the diff drop. I am sitting at around 2.6” of lift on the front so I have considered just adjusted the front suspension down a half an inch and then replacing the CV’s with genuine Toyota axles. I drive on average 4K miles a month. Just last year we put 65k on ol “Lola”. Thoughts?

Yes I have also read complainants about the non-Toyota cvs. What’s you measurement from the center of the front wheel hub to bottom fender edge? I’m at 23”

 

[Churro]

I am at right under 22"

 

[linuxgod]

It’s not just the boot angle. The steeper the CV angle the more torque you’re applying to the end of the CV at an angle. There’s much less risk of damage and less wear with torque being applied “straight on” vs at a steep angle.

I had a torn boot 20k after lifting. Rebooted and added a diff drop and went another 80k without boot issues. (I did replace a CV due to a popping noise when off camber, but it was ultimately due to the nut being chewed up from multiple air-gun removals and reinstalls and allowing a tiny bit of play… not actually wear on the CV joints or boots.)

History here has shown diff drops aren’t required. But I’ve also wheeled some hard situations and not broken a CV where other lifted trucks on the same trail later in the day weren’t so lucky. Anecdotal evidence, but still a fact.