Diff bracket upgrade and diff drop kit install

[HomersCanyonero]

I got my parts today. Diff support part #52380-60021 $111 at trdparts.com free shipping and no upfront tax.

TotalChaos Diff drop kit from wheelersOffroad.com $36 plus shipping

Now I need to figure out how to install both at the same time

 

[Bluetribal]

Make sure you have a second jack or truck on ramps and use your jack to support the diff when you replace the support.

Both are very easy although I don’t think I ever got the torque spec for the Diff support but as Dan chimed in just tighten till you are about to bust a blur vessel in your forehead or something along those lines.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Thanks for the heads up. Im lifted like 2.5” in the front and i can slide under the truck without lifting it with a jack. I was planning to use the floor jack to support the diff, but i wasn’t planning on raising the front offthe ground.

I have a breaker bar and torque wrench, but don’t have the 22” sockets. Gonna try the 3/4” sockets

 

[lndshark]

Just looked up the torque specs:

Front bolt - 101 ft.-lbs.
Rear bolts - 118 ft.-lbs.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Ah, thanks for the torque specs. I'll have to go back and check the torque. I did the old school torque technique!

In terms of the installation, I made some executive decisions since I wasn't sure what to do.

1. New TotalChaos Diff bolt comes with one washer and one nut. I assumed these were for the top, so I put the new nut and new washer on top. No washer for the bottom of the bolt.

2. I put everything back that came off except the OEM bolt, OEM top nut with integrated washer, and OEM bottom washer. The bottom OEM washer wouldn't come off.

So, does this look right?

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Oh, and I bought new metric sockets to add to my tool collection. I got the set of 10 at Harbor Freight for $12 which included the needed 19mm, 21mm, and 22mm.

The OEM front bolts for the diff brackets are 22mm. The Total Chaos front bolts that come with the diff spacer kit are 21mm. Rear oem bolts are 19mm.

 

[Bluetribal]

What is the point of that TC Diff bolt and spacer? I thought you were just swapping the new diff support. And confused the spacer with a sway bar spacer when I first read your post.

I wonder if an aftermarket skid plate is going to clear that big ole spacer!

 

[lndshark]

What is the point of that TC Diff bolt and spacer? I thought you were just swapping the new diff support. And confused the spacer with a sway bar spacer when I first read your post.

I wonder if an aftermarket skid plate is going to clear that big ole spacer!

Looks like he added a diff-drop when he replaced the support...

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I didn’t realize the spacer to drop the diff was going to be that big.

The purpose of the spacer is to lower the diff to reduce the angle of the cv boots.

But the spacer is so big in this case. My oem skid plate didn’t fit because it’s bent. I need to straighten it and it will fit

Do you think I should take the spacer out?

 

[Bluetribal]

It just seems weird because there is no spacer at the back.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

That’s all that’s in the kit. There are no spacers for the back bolts.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

The stock OEM skid plate is very thin. I was easily able to pound it and bend it back to form with a hammer. I put it back, but it's pressing against the diff support brackets on both sides.

Also, the diff spacer makes the diff support brackets be slightly lower than the stock OEM skid plate.

 

[GXO]

I see you did the PS upgrade. Good idea . I broke that old one in half a long time ago haha

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Yeah, I did the upgrade PS diff support bracket. I now thinking about adding some real skid plates. Really like the ones from Rock Steady in San Diego: Primary Skid Plate Kit - GX470 2003-2009 Non-KDSS

They come with spacers to fit the diff drop kit.