My Diff Drop Brackets!

[ohiovx]

This is just the pic I got from the guy that did them for me. Will be getting them tomorrow & painting them.

[tom4bren]

Nice!!! It looks like he did a great job.

Did he grind down the beads on the inside where the axle flange will bolt on? That surface needs to be flat.

You may also need a notch where the bracket rolls over on one of them. It's been too long since I did mine so I can't remember exactly where but IIRC, it's on the short axle side. There was a boss on the pumpkin that didn't clear the modified bracket. It's really not a big deal & you can take care of it with a small hand grinder during install ... but it will mess up your nice paint job so also have some touch up paint ready.

[waaaaht]

How much of a drop are they? 1.5 or 2''

[tom4bren]

SOTP guess would be 2" by the way it looks in the pic.

BTW, what are you going to do about your crossmember? It won't fit after your diff drop.

[ohiovx]

They are 2" drops. They are totally flat on the back side. he just cut the entire center section out clear to the top. Entered the dimensions into the CAD program & the computer controlled plasma cutter cut out new plates to put back in the open area (only 2" down). The holes aren't drilled, they were cut. Then he even extended the curved edge on the sides for strength & to make it look original. I know the cross member needs to be done also. It's next.

[JoFotoz]

These look great...

I know the cross member needs to be done also. It's next.

You can use OEM cross member if you cut section out....
.... and weld in reinforcement .

I'll crawl under mine and take pics if you want them.

Jo

[ohiovx]

I probably won't get a chance to install these until next week. I think the cross member will be a piece of cake compared to these. I see from reading older posts that some people have had issues with the dust boots on the front driveshaft after the diff drop. I don't think I've see anywhere that anyone has lower the transfer case mount an inch or so. Any reason why? That's a normal thing on Wranglers with lift kits. I would think that would help the driveshaft.

[ZEUS]

Jeep guys lower the T-case if they lift more than 3" (typically) & don't install an SYE kit. Otherwise, the slip yoke in the NP231 can bind & the driveshaft angle can become too steep. None of that comes into play with the 2" diff drop on a VX. The boot on the CV of the driveshaft may start to crack from the introduced angle after some time but throwing some grease on it now & duct taping over that may be all you need...? I would not lower the T-case - it already protrudes bad enough as is.

[2X]

If I may ask...

You made your drop brackets?

Contact info?

Thanks,

Ro

[JoFotoz]

One source for Diff drop brackets is ;_

Joe Darlington

darlington-offroad@nc.rr.com

You would probably need to send him yours to modify..or get a set from a salvage yard...and send those.

Joe D is a long time Isuzu guy..great fabricator ... he's making a Heavy duty Transmission mount for me right now..tell him Jo Birch sent ya

BTW... Diff drop is only really required on tires bigger than 33's.
I ran stock diff plates on 33's for many years with no issue..put diff drop plates on when I went to 35's.

Cheers
Jo

[Nikad92397]

I just talked to him a few weeks back and for sure he does them !!! I'm thinking of doing the diff drop when I install gears and lockers.. might as well if I decide to go with bigger tires later, I won't have to drop it again.. I'm running 33" now and feel it can only help.

[2X]

Thanks

[2X]

I sent an email to Joe... I will let you know...

Thanks, again...

Ro...