Do I need a diff drop?

Got my 4Runner lifted the other day with what was supposed to be a 3/2 lift (I didn’t take before measurements). It looks a bit higher than I expected which is fine but makes me wonder about my CV angles and if I need a drop. The shop said I didn’t but lmk what you think about this image of them.

 

no

edit- why would you just remove the space you just spent on a lift to create?

 

It’s not that I want to but I wouldn’t mind losing a little bit of space if it meant I had decent CV angle. I just wasn’t sure if mine look okay or if they were clearly too extreme

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47aat1tc6zw

 

Good video, thanks

 

What lift did you go with? I'm wondering because certain brands have a rep for lifting more than advertised and I don't want to overshoot when I do mine.

Edit: NVM I see your other thread. For as good as Dobinson's is supposed to be, they do have a rep for overlifting.

 

Yeah you can see my previous post before this one for pics of the lift. Definitely a little higher than advertised but I do think it’s settled a little bit so far at least

 

I kinda don’t like the inner CV angle from that picture. However, the diff drop is the wrong way to go. Personally I’d lower it a smidge.

Assuming you have the correct coils for your weight, backing off the preload a bit will reduce the height. As a rough guide, lowering the spring perch collar 1/4 inch will yield 1/2 inch lower ride heigh at the wheel.

It’s a bit of a pain in the ass, because technically you need to dissemble the coilover. You’ll likely wreck the threads if you just try to crank them down on the vehicle.

There is a super-secret deadly-dangerous technique to disassemble the shocks on the vehicle. I’ve disassembled mine on the vehicle to adjust my IMS seat height, and I didn’t think it was particularly dangerous. But given the potential for screwups than can turn it dangerous, it’s not something I’d necessarily recommend.

 

Never use a diff drop.

 

I can see why your CV angles look the way they do. That's a considerable amount of lift.

 

Probably not much down travel.

 

I have extended travel IMS shocks set to 3.5" of lift. I also have a diff drop.

1. Yes you're giving up down travel with any lift, but this can be mitigated with extended travel shocks
2. A diff drop will lower your ground clearance, unless you already have a skid plate that is compatible with a diff drop. (Like my RCI skids)
3. Your CV boots do look a little bound up.

Tinkerer's video is great on this subject. One thing he said: Don't lift over 2" then you don't need to worry about the points above...
For those of us lifting over his recommendation, a diff drop certainly helps the CV's live longer.

PS: Dobinsons recommends a diff drop with extended travel shocks.

Just my two cents.

 

Well said.
Hell, put a winch/aftermarket bumper on the front, and you'd be set with the taller lift (it would rest lower) and keep your very valuable ground clearance.
If ya feel me. And of course, proper springs.

 

Agreed. Another option (assuming OP has the extended travel IMS shocks *IMS59-50574) if he doesn't want a winch or aftermarket skids, he could just dial down the preload a bit. As @McSpazatron mentioned.

Dobinsons recommends between 8.4" and 8.9" of preload. Depending on the current preload, he could drop up to an inch of lift if needed.




Dobinsons springs do sag a bit over the first couple thousand miles though. So I'd wait before making an adjustment. Also, the spring will have to be unloaded per Dobinsons instructions. Cleaning the threads also helps to avoid damaging the soft aluminum. Be sure to account for lean when making the adjustment. Then you'll have to get an alignment of course...

Overall it's a pretty simple process. Just takes a bit of time and patience.

 

This is what 3.5" of lift at all four corners looks like. I also chopped about .6" off of the front fenders for tire clearance.

My guess is OP's setup is over 4" of front lift... Just going off the photos. (although I'm sure they'll sag a bit with time)



My perfectly happy CV’s thanks to the Dobinsons Diff Drop


Real curious to get OP's middle of hub to bottom of fender measurements. Stock is 20" front, 22" rear.

 

your answer is in this video.

 

Ya, im sure they are accounting for sag in time.

For me.... your rig is spot on. Spot on. Great job dude. The shit you put on, actually helps/does something, and no fluff, just for looks (taller, wider tires, but does dick actually off road). I bet that does real well when you actually use it on the trail. Well done mate. Well done.

 

Thanks man. It does alright. The Dobinsons mid travel setup was a gamechanger for me. Rides great and the extra travel in the rear allows me to really push the limits.

If the rear extended travel shocks didn't require three inches of lift I'd have stuck with a 2.5" lift. Lifting high brings problems so I usually recommend staying conservative with lift heights. Unfortunately people will often get stuck on those downsides and fail to mention the solutions. So I end up going against the grain on these threads.

I'd vote that if OP wants to keep >3" front lift he should move forward with a diff drop. But that will require RCI/ diff drop friendly skids imo.

The easy solution is back off the preload to about 2.5" of front lift. (22.5" center of hub to fender)
He'd get
-Softer ride
-Better CV angles
-More available down travel
-Retain a little rake for gear hauling
-Lower center of gravity

Also a bonus cosmetic improvement since it will make the 33" tires look bigger. The higher you lift the smaller your tires look

 

I will probably take it back to the shop and have them lower the front coilovers

 

see I thought so too, thanks for the confirmation lol. Will have to have to shop lower the front

 

thanks for the feedback on the CV angles. I thought so too. Will have to have the shop lower the front

 

Honestly you aren’t gonna believe my hub to fender measurements. I thought I was tripping but they are extreme.


23 3/4 Front Driver | 24 2/4 Front Passenger

24 Rear Driver | 24 3/4 Rear Passenger

 

this is the plan, my next mod is a bumper and skid but they won’t be for another month or so. Am I okay in the meantime or should I have the front lowered?

 

Classic Toyota Lean.

What preload are you set at?

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/finally-got-the-lift.44703/#post-721157

Sorry about replying to both threads they are just heavily related. Back em down to 2.5" and no diff drop required. I'll stop blowing up this thread now

 

I would lower the front/pre load mate... The extra you have, does nothing. Lower does.

 

This.....

 

The shop sent him out with a ≈4” lift. I bet if he backs it down to 2.5 - 3 the CV’s will last much longer even without a diff drop. The other thread I cited has some useful info for future readers though.

 

useful knowledge and opinions here, thanks for the read.
I have a diff drop and full 3/2 lift.
Never had CV problems yet.
Can I remove a diff drop kit in my garage?

 

im leaning towards yes