Need to replace the carrier in my 97 450 tired of the snapping and errratic handling of the stock setup. Its a work truck that spends some time in bad conditions that a posi would be nice but about 60% of the time an open rear would be nice. Whats everybody else use? been looking at the detriot lockers but not sure if thats what I need. Thanks in advance

 

Your truck may have a Detroit locker in it already thats why you are getting the snapping and banging. Ford put lockers as a option in the 97 model year F-Superduty. I have been running F-Superduty trucks for about 6 years now they work good but 2wd does suck. I have been in some horrible spots aswell like axle deep mud etc.

The only good limited slip is the Detroit True Trac I think its the only limited slip available for the Dana 80 used in the F-Superduty trucks as its a odd ball rearend. Its heavier than what is used in the newer P/Us.

Your other option is a ARB air locker works good from what I have been told there is a model to fit the Dana 80. The problem is the price of the sucker for me in Canada its like 1400 dollars just for the unit.

I bet if you pop the cover off the diff you will probably find a factory installed Detroit Locker.

 

Click HERE for all the info you ever wanted to know about Detriot lockers and ARB's. It's about jeeps but the technical stuff pertains to your axle too.

More infor can be found on this subject by googling "arb vs detroit".

Have you changed out the fluid? Using good synthetic oils and friction modifiers can help with the popping.

 

The truck has a suretrac carrier in it now should have replaced it when I swapped out the 5.13s for 4.10s but it only snapped after a tight turn now it snaps when you stand on the throttle or are towing and acts like its got rear steering. Dont think its got long to go so I thought I start getting new parts to go in it. Are the detroit lockers noisey or do they just try to spin the inside tires? Best place to buy one? saw them on e-bay for 400.00 new seemed like a good price. not ready to spend 1,400.00 on a air locker

 

I was told the newer version of the Detroit isn't too bad for clangs and bangs.

The problem you might have is you said you have 410s installed did you get those custom made ?

When I searched around they told me the tallest gears I could get were 4:63s because the Dana 80 used in these trucks were a odd ball. Like I meantioned Ford installed Detroit lockers in the F-Superduty trucks as a factory option. You may hit it lucky and the Ford dealer might have one instock somewhere.

Are you sure you don't have 4:63s because that was the second ratio available for the F-Superduty trucks. Its what is in my 95 F-Super my 89 had 5:13s and my 88 had 4:63 (460 gasser). All my trucks have had open diffs I never did install a traction aid.

 

I bought my 4.10s on e-bay for 110.00 they were new never run takeouts that probley came from some dealer that had to regear a new fleet to make the sale. its been my understanding that ford only offered 4.63, 4.88,5.13, ratio on off the lot trucks 3.54,4.10,4.30 could be special ordered but only on manual trans trucks. the carriers that have numericly higher numbers use a thick gearset for 4.10s while the 3.54 carrier uses a thin gearset for the 4.10s. most of this info came from a friend who works in a ford parts dept

 

If there is a will there is a way. The 5:13s and 4:63s are just too low for flat landers the engine screams at highway speeds. For me the 4:63s work okay because I'am pulling 10% grades and never really get over 62mph. My old 89 IDI with the 5:13s the engine would scream it was pretty well maxed out at 62. The 88 my first F-Super it didn't matter the 460 burned gas like it was going out of style the 4:63s worked good but the 6mpg

The IDI was a solid 11-12mpg my current 95 PSD 12-13mpg all my trucks 5spds.

 

Sounds like a broke axle shaft to me. I have a detroit and I love it.