Differential drop opinions

brownclown01 · March 12, 2017

I have icon 2.5 and cognito UCA and 2inch block sitting in a box that arrived yesterday. I plan on setting suspension at at least 2.5" but concerned about CV angles at that high of a lift. I found a diff drop kit on ebay and thinking of using it but it requires some cutting/grinding of cooling fins on the diff case. That has me real nervous so might not do it depending people's opinions of CV angles raised 2.5". Anyone have any issues with cv angles at this hight? Should I just grind and it really not a big deal or am I potentially damaging or weakening the case?

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aaronarf · March 12, 2017

Skip the diff drop. If your boot fins are rubbing you can remove the factory outer clamp extend it until no rubbing and install a new crimp clamp or a marine hose clamp.

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Silverado4x4 · March 12, 2017

No way I would do it, 2.5" leveling kit is too much on the CV angles and as far as stretching the cv boots that will really kill the boots as the bottom side of the boot will be stretched too much and they will rip quickly. As far as cutting the cooling fins off it depends on how much you have to remove

15_silverado · March 12, 2017

I have icon 2.5 and cognito UCA and 2inch block sitting in a box that arrived yesterday. I plan on setting suspension at at least 2.5" but concerned about CV angles at that high of a lift. I found a diff drop kit on ebay and thinking of using it but it requires some cutting/grinding of cooling fins on the diff case. That has me real nervous so might not do it depending people's opinions of CV angles raised 2.5". Anyone have any issues with cv angles at this hight? Should I just grind and it really not a big deal or am I potentially damaging or weakening the case?

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Not sure if you'll have to cut the fins off the front diff. Im thinking some diff drops are different than others. I say that because, I saw the Rough Country 3.5 inch lift comes with a diff drop and it says you need to cut the fins and notch the cross member. But the 3.5 superlift kit comes with a diff drop and they specifically advertise NO Cutting what so ever. So I would contact superlift and ask them about there diff drop.

But either way I would do the diff drop. Just my opinion.

Sierra706 · March 12, 2017

Not sure if you'll have to cut the fins off the front diff. Im thinking some diff drops are different than others. I say that because, I saw the Rough Country 3.5 inch lift comes with a diff drop and it says you need to cut the fins and notch the cross member. But the 3.5 superlift kit comes with a diff drop and they specifically advertise NO Cutting what so ever. So I would contact superlift and ask them about there diff drop.

But either way I would do the diff drop. Just my opinion.

Because it comes with a new crossmember the differential doesn't need to be trimmed. But your cutting the factory crossmember

"High clearance, one-piece crossmembers, and all other load bearing bracketry, is laser cut from .25" thick plate steel. No differential trimming required, plus the factory front drive shaft is retained"

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Edited March 12, 2017 by Bushleaguechew

15_silverado · March 12, 2017

Because it comes with a new crossmember the differential doesn't need to be trimmed. But your cutting the factory crossmember

"High clearance, one-piece crossmembers, and all other load bearing bracketry, is laser cut from .25" thick plate steel. No differential trimming required, plus the factory front drive shaft is retained"

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I'm talking about the 3.5 in kit, just like the 3.5 inch RC kit, it's just big top spacers for lift, new UAC'S for proper ball joint angles, and the diff drop for proper CV axle angles. In this superlift 3.5 kit they say there is no cutting required. For the diff drop.

This kit has no new crossmember. But again requires no cutting.

http://www.superlift.com/3-5-inch-upper-control-arm-uca-kit-for-the-2014-2015-chevygmc-1500-2wd-pickups-with-factory-aluminum-control-arms

Jeff5347 · March 13, 2017

I'm talking about the 3.5 in kit, just like the 3.5 inch RC kit, it's just big top spacers for lift, new UAC'S for proper ball joint angles, and the diff drop for proper CV axle angles. In this superlift 3.5 kit they say there is no cutting required. For the diff drop.

This kit has no new crossmember. But again requires no cutting.

http://www.superlift.com/3-5-inch-upper-control-arm-uca-kit-for-the-2014-2015-chevygmc-1500-2wd-pickups-with-factory-aluminum-control-arms

Do you have a 2 wh Dr? That one is for a 2 wh Dr.

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Jeff5347 · March 13, 2017

This is for the 4 wh Dr.

http://www.superlift.com/3-5-inch-upper-control-arm-uca

No mention of cutting but says you need to hammer the cross member to depress it for the diff to have room

Edited March 13, 2017 by Jeff5347

15_silverado · March 13, 2017

Do you have a 2 wh Dr? That one is for a 2 wh Dr.

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Sorry wrong link.

Here is 4wd, read the installation instructions, no cutting.

http://www.superlift.com/3-5-inch-upper-control-arm-uca-kit-for-the-2014-2015-chevygmc-1500-4wd-pickups-with-factory-aluminum-control-arms

15_silverado · March 13, 2017

Another member installed this and said he didn't even think hammering the crossmember was necessary.

Jeff5347 · March 13, 2017

It's a snowball effect. I have a 3 inch right now and really wanting more lol. Really want 6 inches. That's when prices jump way up

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15_silverado · March 13, 2017

It's a snowball effect. I have a 3 inch right now and really wanting more lol. Really want 6 inches.

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That's what she said!

Sierra706 · March 13, 2017

Sorry wrong link.

Here is 4wd, read the installation instructions, no cutting.

http://www.superlift.com/3-5-inch-upper-control-arm-uca-kit-for-the-2014-2015-chevygmc-1500-4wd-pickups-with-factory-aluminum-control-arms

So it's either grind away a cooling fin or hammer the crossmember to make it fit.

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brownclown01 · March 13, 2017

That's what I'm seeing to and believe the consensus is to drop even at 2.5 lift. Being that I don't have much wrenching experience on trucks , if I grind can I go back if I want to return to stock if I change my mind. Also open to here from others about angles at 2.5 lift as it seems lots have 2.5 levels and don't do anything for diff drop

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Sierra706 · March 13, 2017

That's what I'm seeing to and believe the consensus is to drop even at 2.5 lift. Being that I don't have much wrenching experience on trucks , if I grind can I go back if I want to return to stock if I change my mind. Also open to here from others about angles at 2.5 lift as it seems lots have 2.5 levels and don't do anything for diff drop

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You can remove the spacers and put your differential back to its stock height but you can't undo the grinding away of metal

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