Diff Drop Options: Strengths & Weaknesses (School Me) (2 Viewers)

[gatormark91]

But that's less of an issue with the diff drop versus the same suspension height without a diff drop.

Not the CV output shaft seals. Pinion angle changed and it wore out the brand new factory pinion seal.

If you aren't going more than 1.5 inch lift, skip the diff drop, IMHO. There's no benefit to it. Possibly even questionable at 2.5. if you're using factory Toyota CVs, I'm not even sure you need it.

 

[Eyedaho]

Not the CV output shaft seals. Pinion angle changed and it wore out the brand new factory pinion seal.

If you aren't going more than 1.5 inch lift, skip the diff drop, IMHO. There's no benefit to it. Possibly even questionable at 2.5. if you're using factory Toyota CVs, I'm not even sure you need it.

But the diff drop reduces your CV angle if you are above stock height, right? I don't follow your logic.

 

[gatormark91]

But the diff drop reduces your CV angle if you are above stock height, right? I don't follow your logic.

Factory Toyota CVs can take the angle.

 

[Eyedaho]

Factory Toyota CVs can take the angle.

Right. But it's less of an angle with a diff drop right? Sorry, I'm not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to understand if you're saying there's something else besides the angle between the diff and wheel bearing that's causing the boots to prematurely fail.

 

[Patassa]

Right. But it's less of an angle with a diff drop right? Sorry, I'm not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to understand if you're saying there's something else besides the angle between the diff and wheel bearing that's causing the boots to prematurely fail.

Less of an angle is correct. I was right around or slightly over 2" lift in the front and tore brand new boots on new CVs after one trip. Ymmv, but the diff drop appears to have solved that problem.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

For me the advantage of the diff drop is to reduce torque steer.

Anyone running Superior 40mm diff drop.

https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/superior-40mm-diff-drop-kit-suitable-for-toyota-landcruiser-200-series-kit-45451?srsltid=AfmBOorrwGUATGKN87UuDyZrGhn88Qvp0GWY1yXCkSvj2ARpaBmMSPsl

 

[bcarbs]

Just here to plug this guys video on diff drops - I never really understood how it affected suspension travel. He gives some really great demonstrations to explain in detail the trade offs.

 

[FairZ33]

Just here to plug this guys video on diff drops - I never really understood how it affected suspension travel. He gives some really great demonstrations to explain in detail the trade offs.

In another one of Tinkerer's videos, he states that the LC100/LX470 requires a diff drop, according to Ironman 4x4's chief engineer. He doesn't do any actual testing of this, however. He goes on to say, Ironman offers diff drops for models that don't need them, simply because there is a demand for it. Would be cool if someone could do a similar test that he performed on his FJ or Tundra. Or if someone wants to lend him their LC/LX. He's somewhere in PA.

In an ideal world where they are needed, they just drop the differential x inches so that the CV axle can function properly when the front wheels are at full articulation after a lift. The drawback is that you lose the ground clearance that you gained with the lift, which kind of defeats the point. I would assume you still gain some approach and departure angle, but your diff will be roughly back to the OEM position.

In an IFS, more lift doesn't equal more tire. Wheel offset/scrub radius, tire width, and wheel-well clearance are what determine what size tire you can fit. The more I read about lifts, the less necessary they seem unless you're adding big weight to the vehicle. You can just get more ground clearance with bigger tires.

I'm definitely not an expert and have no real world experience, but this is what I've learned from reading this forum and watching Tinkerer's videos. After watching the video you've linked, I often wonder why no one in the aftermarket sells a wheel that matches the specs of the TRD Rock Warrior wheel. It seems like its the perfect choice for 5x150 bolt pattern vehicles, demand is high enough on rock warriors... why don't they exist?