Diff Drop Removed
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Diff Drop Removed
I removed my differential drop today while having my new Demello Offroad skid plate put on. When I originally put it in I never bothered to look and see if it made a difference or not. I took pictures today right before and after I removed it. I'm not saying it wont help some people but by eyeballing it it didn't help me.
Driver's Side Before Removal(with spacer in)
Passenger's Side Before Rmeoval(with spacer in)
Driver's Side After Removal(spacer out)
Passenger Side After Removal(spacer out)
As you can see the same two fins, second and third in from the wheels, still touch and nothing else. Take it for what it's worth.
Driver's Side Before Removal(with spacer in)
Passenger's Side Before Rmeoval(with spacer in)
Driver's Side After Removal(spacer out)
Passenger Side After Removal(spacer out)
As you can see the same two fins, second and third in from the wheels, still touch and nothing else. Take it for what it's worth.
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Decatur, Alabama
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know this is an older post, but I was wondering about the differential drop. My leaf springs will need replacing in the near future as well as the shocks. I'm playing with the idea of replacing the leafs and installing coilovers, which will give me some lift. I was thinking about doing the drop. I have manual hubs, so it is not critical, but I was still curious.
From what I have read, some say the differential drop is good and others say it really doesn't do much at all. Matt's pictures seem to indicate it doesn't really do much.
Any more input on this subject?
From what I have read, some say the differential drop is good and others say it really doesn't do much at all. Matt's pictures seem to indicate it doesn't really do much.
Any more input on this subject?
#3
Contributing Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it completely going to level your CV angles back to stock? No. Will it help reduce the angles, and possibly help with long-term wear and tear? Absolutely. For such a cheap part, and so easy to install, it seems like a no brainer to me.
#6
Contributing Member
iTrader: (3)
Have not run into any problems fitting my 1" diff drop into any year Tacoma or 3rd gen 4Runner:
http://www.4Crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DiffDrop.shtml
In the above photos, it does look like the diff drop did reduce the CV joint angles (2 boot ribs touching with the drop in place, 3 ribs touching afterwards). Sure, it does not make the axle run horizontal, but it reduces the angle and a small angle change can make a big change in joint strength and life.
I recall some birfield joint testing Marlin Crawler did and there was a dramatic change in strength beyond a certain angle (forget the exact # of degrees). Below that angle and the axle shaft/splines would break before the joint did, after that angle the joint would break first and the breaking torque fell to about 1/2 to 1/3 the maximum as the angle hit the maximum.
http://www.4Crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DiffDrop.shtml
In the above photos, it does look like the diff drop did reduce the CV joint angles (2 boot ribs touching with the drop in place, 3 ribs touching afterwards). Sure, it does not make the axle run horizontal, but it reduces the angle and a small angle change can make a big change in joint strength and life.
I recall some birfield joint testing Marlin Crawler did and there was a dramatic change in strength beyond a certain angle (forget the exact # of degrees). Below that angle and the axle shaft/splines would break before the joint did, after that angle the joint would break first and the breaking torque fell to about 1/2 to 1/3 the maximum as the angle hit the maximum.
#7
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually the same two ribs are touching with it in and with it out. I think it's kind of vehicle dependant. Some people have great success and some don't
I'm only running about 2-2.5 inches of lift up front. I gave the spacers to a friend and it helped him out. He went from three touching to two touching.
My "spacer in" photos are kind of crappy because it was in Demello's shop without much light to work with.
As I said your mileage may vary.
Also, Roger's product is top notch and made with quality materials. I just removed it because it didn't seem to help in my case and I was having a skid plate from Demello put on where the diff drop would have interferred with the mounting of it.
I'm only running about 2-2.5 inches of lift up front. I gave the spacers to a friend and it helped him out. He went from three touching to two touching.
My "spacer in" photos are kind of crappy because it was in Demello's shop without much light to work with.
As I said your mileage may vary.
Also, Roger's product is top notch and made with quality materials. I just removed it because it didn't seem to help in my case and I was having a skid plate from Demello put on where the diff drop would have interferred with the mounting of it.
Last edited by Darx; 03-30-2005 at 11:19 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Contributing Member
iTrader: (3)
Looking at the ribs in the before picture, I see:
1-2-3-45-6
And in the after (diff drop removed), I see:
1-2-3-456
But yes, at 2" of lift, you are still within the good angle range on the CV. Its when you get into the 2.5"-3" range than the angle increases and the drop does more good. And it is not like the CV will "grenade" the first mile with a 3" lift and will last forever with a 2" lift, its all a matter of relative strength and service life. The higher the angle, the lower the strength and the shorter the service life.
1-2-3-45-6
And in the after (diff drop removed), I see:
1-2-3-456
But yes, at 2" of lift, you are still within the good angle range on the CV. Its when you get into the 2.5"-3" range than the angle increases and the drop does more good. And it is not like the CV will "grenade" the first mile with a 3" lift and will last forever with a 2" lift, its all a matter of relative strength and service life. The higher the angle, the lower the strength and the shorter the service life.
#9
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 4Crawler
Looking at the ribs in the before picture, I see:
1-2-3-45-6
And in the after (diff drop removed), I see:
1-2-3-456
But yes, at 2" of lift, you are still within the good angle range on the CV. Its when you get into the 2.5"-3" range than the angle increases and the drop does more good. And it is not like the CV will "grenade" the first mile with a 3" lift and will last forever with a 2" lift, its all a matter of relative strength and service life. The higher the angle, the lower the strength and the shorter the service life.
1-2-3-45-6
And in the after (diff drop removed), I see:
1-2-3-456
But yes, at 2" of lift, you are still within the good angle range on the CV. Its when you get into the 2.5"-3" range than the angle increases and the drop does more good. And it is not like the CV will "grenade" the first mile with a 3" lift and will last forever with a 2" lift, its all a matter of relative strength and service life. The higher the angle, the lower the strength and the shorter the service life.
Thanks
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spencer, Iowa
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got the Daystar 2-1/2 inch kit on my Runner. I've been told that a diff drop kit with less than 3 inches of lift is a total waste of time. The tech people at Wheelers said the angles would be fine with less than 3" anyway. My lift has been on for 6 months so far with no problems.
#11
Originally Posted by emptypockets
I've got the Daystar 2-1/2 inch kit on my Runner. I've been told that a diff drop kit with less than 3 inches of lift is a total waste of time. The tech people at Wheelers said the angles would be fine with less than 3" anyway. My lift has been on for 6 months so far with no problems.
You probably wont have a problem though.
I guess its kinda like the standard radiation comparison. Alot of radiation will kill you fast, a little radiation will kill you slow. There is no healthy amount.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FS[PacSouthWest]: 2- 8"3rd members:4.88 ratchet lockers,new setup kit, rear axle rebuild kit,diff armor
jerusry
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
1
10-19-2015 05:28 PM
FS[GreatLakes]: Wanted: 4.88 front diff, rear 8'' 4.88
jaretstuff
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
1
08-04-2015 02:08 PM
Steven.m.paulk
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
3
07-24-2015 01:44 PM
scottyg486
Offroad Tech
3
07-19-2015 05:34 PM