3rd Gen 4wd Suspension Questions
#1
3rd Gen 4wd Suspension Questions
Hey Guys, was on Downey Off Road website and saw this in their suspension page:
"WARNING –– 1996-02 4 RUNNER LIFTING LIMITATIONS
Toyota sold you a 4 Runner with Automatic Differential Disconnect (ADD) - shame on them! These vehicles are limited to approximately 2” of suspension lift. These vehicles do not have manual unlocking hubs, consequently the front axles and CV joints spin 100% of the time the vehicle is in motion. Beyond 2” of lift would put the CV joints on sufficient angle to buzz you out of the cab at highway speeds (not a problem in off road terrain where the speeds are very slow and/or the CV joints are constantly changing angle). Unfortunately, your only remedy is Downeys new manual hub conversion kit. None of this is an issue for 1996-02 4 Runners with manual locking hubs, they can be cranked-up to 3 of lift because they free wheel at highway speeds. This also does not apply to 2003-07 4 Runners, they can be cranked up to 3 even with ADD. "
Is this accurate??
"WARNING –– 1996-02 4 RUNNER LIFTING LIMITATIONS
Toyota sold you a 4 Runner with Automatic Differential Disconnect (ADD) - shame on them! These vehicles are limited to approximately 2” of suspension lift. These vehicles do not have manual unlocking hubs, consequently the front axles and CV joints spin 100% of the time the vehicle is in motion. Beyond 2” of lift would put the CV joints on sufficient angle to buzz you out of the cab at highway speeds (not a problem in off road terrain where the speeds are very slow and/or the CV joints are constantly changing angle). Unfortunately, your only remedy is Downeys new manual hub conversion kit. None of this is an issue for 1996-02 4 Runners with manual locking hubs, they can be cranked-up to 3 of lift because they free wheel at highway speeds. This also does not apply to 2003-07 4 Runners, they can be cranked up to 3 even with ADD. "
Is this accurate??
#2
Registered User
seems right to me.
Thats why i was thinking i needed a diff drop if i was going to get a suspension lift that would put my cvs at a harsh angle.
But i have a 4 banger with manual hubs so i dont have to worry about that
Thats why i was thinking i needed a diff drop if i was going to get a suspension lift that would put my cvs at a harsh angle.
But i have a 4 banger with manual hubs so i dont have to worry about that
#3
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Manual hub conversion is the "only remedy"?! Psshh. It's called a 30 dollar diff. drop kit. Hit up toyteclifts.com to get one. I have like 3.5" lift in the front with the diff drop and everything is great.
#4
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Read this FAQ at the bottom of page...http://www.sonoransteel.com/store_co..._liftkits.html
MANY have lifted their front 2.5"~ without any issues. Just keep an eye on the CV boots!
MANY have lifted their front 2.5"~ without any issues. Just keep an eye on the CV boots!
#6
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I've had mine lifted 2"+ for over two years now and haven't had a single issue. I even wheel it pretty hard from time to time. About 3 months ago, I went with OME 882 coils up front and got ~3" up front. I did the diff drop at the same time and have wheeled several times without issue.
With that said, I do check my cv's regularly for leaking.
With that said, I do check my cv's regularly for leaking.
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#8
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Both the angle can cause the bearings inside to pre-maturely wear, and the angle can cause the boots to leak grease and fling it all over your LCA. Which can cause the bearings to overheat.
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#10
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Does anyone with a 3rd gen that has been lifted 3" or more without a diff drop or manual hubs notice a decrease in power? I have an '02 4Runner that I have lifted 3" over stock. Immediatly after installing the lift I noticed that the vehicle feels as if its under "drag" or load. This is especially noticable at slow speeds when turning the wheels in a parking lot. The vehicle doesn't coast at all it will come to a complete stop without power. There is no buzzing or vibration however. This is not the way it used to drive. The stock suspenstion front axles were level with the ground 0 deg slope, since the lift the front axles appear to be at ~20-25 deg slope. The axle boots are touching on 3 rings. So long story short. I have purchased a set of ABS manual hub knuckles and axles. I was going to sell them and go with the Downey solution, but the used parts were so much cheaper and all I have to do is swap them in.
#11
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ADD work differently on an '01-02 Runner?
Since the trasmission is different on an '01-02. Does the ADD on those years have more rolling resistance than an earlier models with out the center diff?
#12
Does anyone with a 3rd gen that has been lifted 3" or more without a diff drop or manual hubs notice a decrease in power? I have an '02 4Runner that I have lifted 3" over stock. Immediatly after installing the lift I noticed that the vehicle feels as if its under "drag" or load. This is especially noticable at slow speeds when turning the wheels in a parking lot. The vehicle doesn't coast at all it will come to a complete stop without power. There is no buzzing or vibration however. This is not the way it used to drive. The stock suspenstion front axles were level with the ground 0 deg slope, since the lift the front axles appear to be at ~20-25 deg slope. The axle boots are touching on 3 rings. So long story short. I have purchased a set of ABS manual hub knuckles and axles. I was going to sell them and go with the Downey solution, but the used parts were so much cheaper and all I have to do is swap them in.
Add is electrically activated, unlike the earlier vacum activated, no more rolling resistance.
#14
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anniesball what you are describing sounds like your brakes are dragging. I am wondering if the rear lift has not pulled too tightly on the emergency brake cable. just my guess I am not mechanical.
Buhundred-lifting your vehicle-which has no front diff for engaging the front wheels will not affect you as far as this CV angle is concerned.
tcmglx -yes it sounds like you just need a diff drop.
Buhundred-lifting your vehicle-which has no front diff for engaging the front wheels will not affect you as far as this CV angle is concerned.
tcmglx -yes it sounds like you just need a diff drop.
#15
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Diff drop.
I had my '99 4WD lifted 2.5" in the front and 2.75" in the rear.
I had a spacer lift on it at first, with 3" spacers and that totally murdered my CV's.
Just read on here - there will not be a single question unanswered.
Fink
I had my '99 4WD lifted 2.5" in the front and 2.75" in the rear.
I had a spacer lift on it at first, with 3" spacers and that totally murdered my CV's.
Just read on here - there will not be a single question unanswered.
Fink
#17
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o jus to let yall know the downey kit is not as cheap as it seems bc they want u to press out ur old hubs and put in theres while using ur old bearings but what they dont tell u is that it is impossible to press out the hubs without destrowing the bearings i have 4" of suspension lift on my '01 with conversion to taco manual hubs and it works great i actually get better gas mileage now since i put the manual hubs in
#18
o jus to let yall know the downey kit is not as cheap as it seems bc they want u to press out ur old hubs and put in theres while using ur old bearings but what they dont tell u is that it is impossible to press out the hubs without destrowing the bearings i have 4" of suspension lift on my '01 with conversion to taco manual hubs and it works great i actually get better gas mileage now since i put the manual hubs in
It cost about 100 bucks for new bearings, and another 100 bucks for them being pressed in, well thats what it cost me.
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