what is a diff drop?
 

I've seen people talking about it but cant really figure out what it is and why its needed. My 4runner is lifted 2.5 inches and I dont believe its had the diff drop. Do I need to do it? what problems can arise?
thanks

http://sonoransteel.com/store_tapered_diff_drop.html

it keeps keep the CV angles in check after a suspension lift.

thanks for the link. what problems might i be having if I havent done it? Also is the install hard? do you recommend these spacers?

does this have anythign to do w my front wheels "bowed" a little bit?

I'd get them, think of em as cheap insurance - can't hurt.

You can get by without them, but running diff drop spacers will just help your cv/boots last longer.

Install is easy, unscrew some bolts, bolt some back in with the spacers. here's another good link: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...l#Installation

what spacers do you recommend. Im new to all the lifted 4runner stuff. anythign else I need to do with the lift I have(2.5in revtek suspension lift) on 31s, but Im planning on lifting it a little more w larger tires.

I would just buy the 1" spacers. Someone else can correct me if i am wrong but according to what I have read and seen 2.5" is the most lift that a 3rd gen can safely have. Any higher than that and you will wear out your cv axles, ball joints, and steering components. If you want bigger tires you are better off to get a body lift. By the way, the reason that your tires are bowed out is because you need an alignment. If you are getting new tires soon, I wouldn't worry about it until then, but if you want the tires you have to last longer get one now.

ya I knew I needed to get an alignment for sure. I did a few searches and found that out. but I didnt know if the diff drop also had something to do with it. I was planning on not getting anymore of a suspension lift. Is it safe to add a body lift? or would it still wear out the cv axles, etc? Im not sure what size body lift is the norm for our 4runners? and im not too worried about my current tires. they are 31in thornbirds that ride like trash, but I will be getting new tires as soon as I figure out what Im doing about the lift and what size tires I can fit.
thanks for the help mpavolka :D.

an alignment will fix the bowed tires. a diff drop doesn't have anything to do with it. a body lift will not affect any suspension geometry becuase it lifts the body off the frame 1-2" is about what everyone gets for a little extra room for larger tires. with your lift and a 1" BL you can fit a 285/75 or larger with slight trimming...

285=33? it would probably be too much work to fit 35s right?

What I recommend with the diff drop and a front suspension lift is that if you are not having any problems, leave well enough alone. If, however, you find you are wearing out CV boots every year or have CV joints that bind at full droop, then the diff drop kit can help reduce the angles on the CVs to help boots/joints last longer. The need can vary between vehicles, had one guy with a 4Runner and his buddy with a Tacoma. They installed identical lifts and the 4Runner CVs were binding at full droop while the Tacoma's were fine. Another guy went through 3 CV boots in as many years. Forst one he thought might be just an old boot letting go, replaced it. Then that one went, he figured maybe it was a cheap boot, so got a better replacement. When it let go, he installed a diff drop kit and that fixed the CV boot issues. One thing to check for is if the ribs on the boots are rubbing against each other on top. If so, this can increase boot wear, especially in gritty conditions.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...l#Introduction

i bought a diff drop and never put it in.

havent had a problem at all, my cv angles are great and i have 2.5" sus lift (and 1in BL but thats irrelevant)

want to sell?

i'll check in the AM. I appreciate ALL the help man :bowdown:

I did the 2.5 inch susp. lift, and started slinging CV axle grease. I had to do the differential drop. Local dealer said different packages came with different susp.set ups. May not have to be done for all 2.5 inch lifts, but as everyone else has said, "cheap insurance".
I haven't thrown anymore CV axle grease since I installed the diff. drop. It only takes about 30 min.