hey guys,
ive been seeing that a lot of the 3rd gen. 4runners are using 1" differential drops. is it just because they have different components and structure up front that they need to do this? should 2nd gen 4runners do the same? i noticed 4crawler had one for 2nd and 3rd gens. any 2nd gens done this?

 

i would like to know if it's a good idea also, i have a 2nd gen with automatic???

 

It has to do with CV angles. If you have 3 or more inches of lift in the front, you can wear out the boots and the knuckle faster. By droping the diff you return the CV to a safer angle.

 

Yep, the idea is to lower the differential somewhat to lessen the angle on the CV joints to cut down on wear and tear from a lift. Basically a tradeoff in the while the CV joint angles are decreased, the u-joint angle on the driveshaft is increased a bit. But since you are looking at reducing the CVs from near their maximum operating angle, where every little bit helps, the u-joint angle is getting increased a little from 0 degrees, so that has much less side efects. For example, one fellow who installed the 1.5" ball joint spacers noticed that his CVs were binding up when he had the front tires at full droop. Adding the front diff drop lowered the CV joint angle just enough to eliminate most of the binding. The guy later added a washer or two under the extension bump stop to get rid of the last bit of binding.

Also, if you run a front sway bar, the sway bar drop kit lowers the sway bar, putting the sway bar end links in a closer to stock orientation so that the sway bar works better.

More info: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...l#Introduction

 

but is this a more common mod for 3rd gen. 4runners? would it be that big of a deal if i only have balljoint spacers and little crank on my t-bars? i just havent heard of many guys with the 2nd gens doing it.

the reason i ask, is because a lot of 3rd gen 4runners dont do the manual hub conversion because of how expensive it is. for us 2nd gen 4runners, its a very simply and cost effective mod.

 

Not as common on the 2nd gens. W/ manual hubs you are saving a lot of wear and tear on the boots for sure. One option is to run it like you have now and if the front half shafts hold up, great. If you start going through axles or boots more frequently than you like, lower the diff.

 

So Mr. brown

On the bump stop side of this, witch ones will I want to shave and witch one will I want to insert a washer or 2 on???? Upper or lower, please help

 

See the ball joint spacer installation instructions:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...er_HowTo.shtml

If running stock height bumpstops, things are usually fine. If running low profile bumpstops, you may need to shim the one that limits downward travel if you find you are maxing out other components at full droop.