Do high angle CV’s negate the need for a diff drop?

So to beat the dead horse, I got a set of 5100’s. Shop ended up setting them to the stock height, which, in hindsight, was probably a good thing, as I wasn’t too informed on diff drops and all at the time. The more reading I did recently, the more cautious I want to be with a lift. For now, I only want to go to the 3rd notch (max height for ‘03 4x4 AC, like 1.1in.) just to get it a bit closer to level and help with the tires rubbing the flares.

Now, the general consensus seems to be ~1.5-2in lifts need a diff drop. What I couldn’t find out for sure is if high angle CV’s would negate the need for a diff drop, or if I should just do both to be safe. I plan to put on high angle CV’s in the future anyways, so cost effectiveness isn’t really a concern in drop vs CV’s. Or since it’s only an inch and some change, should I even worry about anything at all? The suspension is otherwise stock, springs included.

I couldn’t find any info for similar enough scenarios, especially regarding the CV’s, so I figured I’d come and beat the dead horse some more. I’m sorry if I missed a thread that would answer my questions, though. Thank y’all!

 

If you're running original OEM CV's it will most likely tear the inner boot. You can get CVJ high angle boots and do yourself or get fully assembled axles made from OEM parts with high angle boots from them. I most recently bought the hi angle axles off of rock auto though and they seem to be of decent quality and only $125 each but I've only had them on for 50 or so miles.
I'm on 3rd notch 5100s and I did diff drop myself but my OEM inner axle boots were both already leaking.

 

Can you post pics of your new CV's installed?

I didn't know companies were actually offering specific high angle axles now. I replaced mine years ago and of course the boots are leaking. I am really interested in those TrakMotive extreme articulation CV's and think I will call them to discuss. They have extended travel and extreme articulation versions on their website.

http://www.showmetheparts.com/trakmotive/

 

I felt like the diff drop didn't actually do much because the frame is right there so it didn't really even drop, just kind of rotated a little bit. If I were doing it all over again, I would reclamp the inner boot on the oem axles, and run that until (if) the boots tear and then go with CVJ reman high angle boots and skip the diff drop.

The clamp on the inner boot is an easy replacement and keeps it from spitting grease with the lift.

 

https://www.cvjreman.com/product/9550-tr/

 

Those are just stock CV's with different boots on them. TrakMotive is actually making a CV that has more articulation and an internal sliding shaft that moves with the suspension.

 

Are the upgraded boots porsche 930 boots?

 

Completely not what you're asking, but one other eye-opener for me with 5100's is headlight aiming. My headlights are maxed out all the way down, and still too high for where they need to be. Something to consider before raising the front end up more than what you're raising the rear. Just this weekend I tried to figure out a solution, and am still head-scratching.

 

I just got off the phone with TrakMotive and the "extended travel" and "extreme articulation" are the same. They are just calling them extreme articulation now.

 

Interesting. I didn't think the stock CV axle articulation was a problem, just the boots ripping. Time will tell on these, but so far aftermarket CV axles haven't held up nearly as well as OEM.

 

@Casper421, you're the guy I know that probably knows; I think I remember you work through this when you built yours. I hope you don’t mind me beckoning.

 

I didn't get a pic of them installed but I can when I'm home and think about it. Only thing I don't like about them is they don't cover the differential seal very well like OEM.

 

I appreciate all the info. I’ll do that, then, and just run the O’reilly high angle CV’s. Same deal as NAPA with the warranty and all, so if they break, Ill warranty those out and go CVJ. On a side note, Ill keep my one OEM axle I have left on the shelf, just in case or for a core.

You’re right on the headlights, too. I’m in the foothills of NC so every other truck is either squatted or has a half assed lift on it. I definitely wanna try and avoid blinding others like they do.

 

Are there any of those on the site currently? With the internal shaft. Part number matches O’reilly CV’s and the high angle CV’s, with the exception of the TO-8088XXT’s.

 

Traccmotive style is what is on RA. Same as NAPA HD style.
Currently branded as FVP TO8088ET $125 each.

 

I missed the text right in front of my face on Traccmotive for the XXT’s. Those are the sliding bar style thing CV’s. But the ET’s aren’t bad at all at that price. $40 less than my cost at O’reilly.

 

I talked to a guy at Trakmotive yesterday and he told me the ET and XXT are the same, just the XXT is the new branding of ET. So save yourself some money and get the ET for $125 on RockAuto. Its the same CV Oreilly's wants $240 for. The bulge in the shaft (I know, thats what she said!!) is the sliding mechanism.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=13489621&cc=1431003&pt=2288&jsn=2527

 

Sweet, that sounds good to me. I appreciate it. I just checked our system for the XXT’s out of curiosity and it seems they’re about to add them for O’reilly eventually, since they show up with no info. But yea, if they’re the same thing then it sounds like another money grab haha