To Install or Not Install Differential Drop Kit After Lifting A TRD Offroad Tacoma

[Great White North]

I recently installed Peak’s 2.0 Aluminum Explorer Kit and Core's 4x4 Rear Suspension Kit on my 2024 TRD Off Road Tacoma, which raised the truck by 2 inches. Visually, the CV joint angle seems unchanged, so I’m unsure if I should install a Differential Drop Kit to prevent additional stress on the CV joints. Some recommend it after lifting beyond OEM specs, while others only suggest it for lifts over 4-5 inches. Any experience-based advice would be appreciated.

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[395North]

Posting a few shots of your CV angles/boots would be helpful...

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

I wouldn't recommend it. Toyota installed my king lift and would not install a diff drop. Due to the vibrations caused. If you're feeling any kind of vibration I recommend doing a ECGS bushing replacement. With the king left, I am getting 2.5 overstock height. With the bushing, and spring replacement, I was able to get it up over 3 with no vibrations. Food for thought.

 

[AZTaco]

I recently installed Peak’s 2.0 Aluminum Explorer Kit and Core's 4x4 Rear Suspension Kit on my 2024 TRD Off Road Tacoma, which raised the truck by 2 inches. Visually, the CV joint angle seems unchanged, so I’m unsure if I should install a Differential Drop Kit to prevent additional stress on the CV joints. Some recommend it after lifting beyond OEM specs, while others only suggest it for lifts over 4-5 inches. Any experience-based advice would be appreciated.

I would hope that Peak did some engineering and testing when they developed their kit. What do they recommend?

Separately, with only 1" of rear lift you probably didn't need to adjust your rear control arms or track bar but since they are adjustable did you check/adjust for alignment?

 

[PNWkip]

Subbed. Looking @ 2"/1" curious about this

 

[JayTech]

I would not bother doing a diff drop. It really isn't worth it in my opinion. Especially for lifts under 3". The worst that will happen is the needle bearing on the axle might start to make noise or cause vibrations which at that point I would recommend the ECGS bushing(Something that is honestly an upgrade for these trucks anyways). I have lifted a few trucks over the years and have never done a diff drop. The very minor change in the C/V angles is less impactful than changing the pinion or driveshaft angles which may actually produce more vibrations. For lifts over 3" you should be getting a proper lift that corrects all driveline angles.

 

[Great White North]

Posting a few shots of your CV angles/boots would be helpful...

I updated the post to include pictures of the front CV joints. Thanks for feedback.

 

[Great White North]

I would not bother doing a diff drop. It really isn't worth it in my opinion. Especially for lifts under 3". The worst that will happen is the needle bearing on the axle might start to make noise or cause vibrations which at that point I would recommend the ECGS bushing(Something that is honestly an upgrade for these trucks anyways). I have lifted a few trucks over the years and have never done a diff drop. The very minor change in the C/V angles is less impactful than changing the pinion or driveshaft angles which may actually produce more vibrations. For lifts over 3" you should be getting a proper lift that corrects all driveline angles.

Thanks for the feedback and recommendations.

 

[395North]

The angles don't look horrid. The bellows of the boots (especially the inner boot) look like they are making contact, so while angle themselves may not result in binding, premature boot wear may be in your future.
For what it's worth I'd dial the lift down before I did a diff drop.

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