mike_d

hey guys, maybe i'm not searching for the correct keywords or something, but i can't seem to find a diff drop for a 1st gen 4runner. i just had OME 2" lift rear springs put in my truck, and i cranked the t-bars as far as i can to try and level it out, but the front is still about 1" or so lower. i figured i'd order the 1.5" bj spacers to give me a little more height in the front. i just feel nervous about the cv angles if i go up that high. so i'd like to add a diff drop to help even things out. i just can't seem to find anything. all the places i've looked at only have 3rd gen/taco diff drops. any hints on where to look?

thanks!

Robinhood150

There is no diff drop for 1st, 2nd gen ifs. The design is different from a 3rd gen and can't be done.

I'd wait a month or two, go off roading, and put heavy things in the back to help the springs settle.

89_4runner

Not sure what you mean by diff drop, but there are plenty of 4" lifts available for 1st gens. I have an old Trailmaster kit sitting on my garage floor. The kits include diff and a-arm spacers to drop (lift) the front suspension from the frame. Is that what you are talking about?

Robinhood150

He means the little 1 inch spacers for the 3rd gen 4runners and tacomas.

cabbage

Hmm, maybe the ones on my truck are custom? The previous owner said the truck has a Rancho lift, there was a diff drop when I took the front end apart last year... Maybe it was just part of the Rancho lift kit.

Jake94

Full story here:

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsit...suspension.htm


Not that I would do it, but it can be done.

Jake.

Blizzard

I also seen that aussie mod some time ago, but looking at my 4Runner noticed that the diff isn't only hold by those bolts that are dropped but another support in the front crossmember.

Never achived to see front pics of this drop, so dunno how is it done...

I think that putting only a spacer in the bolts isn't good because the drive shaft will become in an strange angle.

David

cabbage

My front crossmember is also lower than stock.

89_4runner

I forgot about the Rancho front suspension. Is Rancho still making it? I believe it came with a replacement front cross-member. I just checked Rancho's website and didn't see it, but saw some parts on Downey.

mike_d

cabbage - i think you're right that the drop came with the rancho lift. when i was looking for lifts, all the 4" lift kits came with a diff drop. when i decided to just go up 2", i thought it would be easy to find diff drop that would work. i guess that is not the case.

jake94 - thanks for the link, i guess it look like i'll have to go custom if i want it. that's too bad, since i'm not smart enough to fab anything myself.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I could likely fab up those 1st/2nd gen diff drop and sway bar drop brkts. if someone wants to get me a few specs. Would need the bolt length and dia. on the two diff bolts, likely 12mm dia. and also the dia., length and center-center spacing on the sway bar brkt. bolts/holes.

surelly09

don't forget to measure up the front crossmember drop bracket where the diff attaches.. thats the confusing part.

Jake94

If you read the entire article you should note:

1) He was all ready running his bars cranked to 2" and lo-pro bump stopps.
2) He needed to gain another 1" to clear larger tyres so he fabed 1" BJ spacers.
3) He still ran lo-pro's (as best as I can tell from the pix)
4) he did NOT lower the front mount.

I'm not sure what effect this would have on the pinion angle and therefor U joint longevity (Roger?)

The Rancho kit is still in their catalog and is available from Downey [*edit- also from Jack-It Suspension]With either kit 1-1/2" of lift comes from the upper control arms, the other 1-1/2" comes from cranking the T-bars. Rancho supplies diff drop brackets, Downey replaces the CV shafts w/ high angle U jointed shafts.

I've often wondered if you could run just the Rancho upper control arms, w/o T-bar cranking, to gain the same effect as 1-1/2 BJ spacers?? I wonder if this approach would solve any alignment and clearence issues that have come up w/ BJ spacers???????????

Jake.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Yes, lowering the rear of the diff will increase the angle on the u-joint. May pick up a little vibration in 4WD at high speed. Essentially you are trading u-joint life for CV joint life. 1 u-joint is probably $10-20, not sure what CVs run, but I know which is easier to change. As long as you have manual hubs, neither the CVs or the u-joint will be moving in 2WD.