Howdy all,
I'm hoping one of you folks out there could fill me in on some specifics of the 8.8" carrier.
I've put in a couple half hearted bids on eBay for a locking diff. I don't want to go all out until I get a question answered (ok, maby more than one).
I'm 95% or so sure that my '90 F-150 peg leg truck has 31 splines. I'm 100% sure that it's about plum wore slick. I'm wanting to replace it and do a bit of upgrading at the same time. A locking carrier would darn sure fill the bill!
My question is basically, are they all the same (more than likely according to one dealer), or are there a variety of models (accoring to another dealer). I realize that gear ratios , vehical model ect. change the rear end tag codes, but is a 31 spline trac-lok a 31 spline trac-lok? I'm also curious what happened in '97 to change the carriers (if anything). 've read here and there that oe "fits 97-up models". If that's the case, how can I go about finding out what will fit my axels, housing, yada yada yada.
If you folks can help it'll be really appriciated. You've proven invaluable up to now and I figured I'd try again.
Thanks in advance,
-John R.

 

First of all, there are a lot of places online that offer lockers for the ford 8.8. It is very common. I believe that pretty much any locker will fit. There are some exceptions like you said with different gear ratios. Check out: http://www.tractech.com/App4.html
It will give you some idea of what is available.

 

Your best bet is to get something like the Eaton E-Locker. Its an air locker and is the best equiptment out there. It is the upgrade option on all Hummer H1 and H2. I use it on my race truck and prerunner instead of a locked rear end. I am not to sure about the price on them but I am sure they are about the same as a Dana or something. Check out their site, I guarentee if you get one you will never ever want anything else. Its basically just a kit that goes onto your 8.8" rear end. Anyways talk to them, they have all the info.

This is the Eaton page for their E-Locker

 

Thanks for the info fellas. I'm fairly familier with Eaton and a few others. My problem is purely financial thjough. That and all I'm after is something to keep my ole work truck from getting stuck on wet grass. I also get tired of the old "one wheel spin" when going up a slight incline from a stop after a little rain.
On occasion I see Trac-lok carriers on Ebay going for under $200. I could afford that. If it needed some rebuilding I imagine I could figure that out. A fella on this site said he'd gotten one off eBay and had had good luck. I hate to spend too much on a (fairly) beat up truck with 160k on an I-6. She's been a good ole truck, but I still hate to spend $400-$600 on a rear end. (Yes, I'm a cheap/poor *******)
I'm curious if nothing else what Ford did in design to thier locking diffs.
Don't get me wrong guys, I do appriciate the responces and the links. I'll check them out as soon as I hit "post reply". I'd just have a hard time explaining to my strife why I paid more for a truck part than I did for my mortgage.
Thanks again,
-John R.

 

Sorry about the "******". I didn't figure it as a very bad word.
-John R.

 

Yes, you can get a 31-spline trac-lock off of ebay and install it in you differential. You should also get a rebuild kit, which consists of new clutch packs, before you install it though. Maybe you can get MustangGT221's attention; I believe he did the exact swap a while ago & should be able to give you some pointers...

Just found the relevent thread, read this. Also check here for info about rebuilding the trac lock.

 

I have an 87 F150 4.9L with the C6, do you know if my rear end would be a 28 or 31 spline?

 

Most times it ends up being a big pain anytime a getting a USED anything from a diff. The parts already have set wear patterns in them and can be a HUGE pain trying to get everything back perfect since no two housings are made perfectly identical due to even tiny flaws a differences in the metal itself.

CJ

 

Ursine, your truck will have 31 splines.

 

Thank you very much, I am ordering my Eaton E-Locker tomorrow, I am so stoked!!!