My truck is a PIG on ice! It is a 97' 150 4.2 manual 4x2. I have decent radials on it, but the limited slip "one legger" has got me in snow trouble a number of times this year as well as in the field (hunting). My next one will be 4x4, but that won't be for a few years and I need a change NOW. Currently the truck has a 8.8 3.55 rear end. Cost is an issue, so my thought is to buy an 8.8 posi unit on ebay and have my local trusty mech. install it (what exact parts will I need?). From what I have read, these units tend to "wear" out with time, should I be thinking about an aftermarket locker? Should I stick with the 3.55 (fuel milage is important)? Please give me your solution for my delema.
Thanks, Chris

 

My bad, I wrote that the truck has limited slip. Currently it has an open differential (one legger). Chris

 

the ones on ebay are fine. just dont pay to much for one. im thinking like around a hundred bucks. make sure that its a 31 spline unit and that there is a cutout for your ABS ring. mustangs and trucks have the same ring and pinion but different spline axles. mustangs come with 28 spline and trucks have 31 spline. it might be a good idea to get a posi rebuild kit. about 40-50 bucks. and if you have friends that have done anything similar, see if you can get your hands on some carrier shims. you might need them. ratech sells a shim kit for about 50 bucks i think but theyre not as good as factory shims. shims from 8.8(mustang gt or truck) and 7.5(mustang 4 or 6 cyl) rearends will work. shims from ford are about 17 a piece.

 

Sorry to get a bit off the topic question, but I'm looking at a 1998 F-150 4x4 with a V8 (not sure whether it's a 4.6L or 5.4L) at my local dealership.

I was wondering if these come stock with the posi rear end?

 

no they dont but it might have one. what i mean is it wasnt standard equipment. and another thing to is that the 4.6 and 5.4 come with different rearends.

 

Alright, that is exactly what I was thinkin. Thanks though!

 

There is a sticker decoder in the tech articles so you can look at the sticker on the door pillar and tell right away.

Chris

 

Yep. Look at the vehicle certification label on the driver's door. Below the bar code, look for the word AXLE. Directly below that, you will find a two digit code.

If the first digit is a letter = Limited slip rear diff

If the first digit is number = open rear diff

 

I have a 98 4x4 4.6 with the offroad package and even it dosn't have limited slip. Seems weird. All my other 4x4's ive owned have all been LS.

 

My 98 4x4 offroad 4.6 has 3.55 limited slip. It's limits are dry pavement, mud and snow it slips like crazy.

 

I was looking at gettin lockers for offroad, but i dont do that much hardcore stuff I just want to be able to keep going when im on 2 wheels, i was thinking about getting limited slip but from what you guys are saying limited slip isnt worth it? Am I better off going for the lockers?

 

I installed an EATON POSI in my 2000 F1504WD last year. It made a big improvement in 2WD in the snow here in upstate NY. It also helps a lot on wet roads. It wasn't very hard to install. I did it on a Saturday afternoon.
You will need a dial indicator, dial caliper or micrometer and a way to press new carrier bearings on the new posi, plus a good set of sockets and wrenches The posi,shim kit and bearings cost about $450 shipped to my house. Info on how to do the job can be found on the net.

 

I put a "no-Spin" locker in mine....works great. About $390...and you can install it in about 1 hour.