In another thread it was noted that there are differant types of limited slip diff's (Torque sensing, Clutch pack, Locker, etc.) Can someone tell me what type a 8.8 out of a 2000 Explorer is?

 

"torque sensing" diffs are marketing hype they all use some sort of clutch material or something to create friction some use cones all of them wear. My other Hobby is offroading, rock crawling. All LSDs are nearly useless, low speeds and high torque makes the tightest LSD slip.

your rearend is a clutch pack type, Trak lok, most common and easily rebuildable it is speed sensitive the more the speed differential there is between the two axles the more force it applies to the slower axle shaft. The Trac lok is a very decent unit btw. Your unit has a s-spring in it and it helps provide an initial force to the LSD. Rebuild kits are $50 and are pretty easy to do. You can tighten these up by installing more friction discs and shimming it pretty tight. On normal applications this type of rearend may last 100k+ before needing a rebuild. But it does loosen up through time. You can test it by jacking up one wheel and stick your torque wrench on a lug nut, put force on it until it slips 40-60 lbs is good. I have shimmed one really tight with more friction discs to get over 100 ft lbs took it rock crawling and it was only marginally better than an open diff.

 

Ok let me step back a bit all diffs can be lumped into three categories.

Limited slip diff
(LSD) Uses some type of clutch to limit slipping in the diff.

Uses street performance and little help in the slick stuff

Characteristics: Easy to use not much more wear on components no noise good driving manners and works great for street performance, mud pretty transparent in snow but helps give you traction. You will get squirrely in burnouts or under power on snow as both wheels will be turning Price ranges from 50 used to $500 for high end stuff

common types, trak lok, auburn, posi,

Spools, a spool solidly connects both axle shafts so there is no differention at all. Imagine one shaft solidly connecting both wheels together both wheels spin at exactly the same speed Prices, welding wire to $250 pretty cheap, simple and effective

Characteristics, Increased tire wear, harder on everything between your motor and the diff. will chirp as you turn corners, nightmare in snow or ice.

Uses, full on drag vehicles (so they got strait with the front wheels off the ground) or rock crawling

Common types
Full spool replaces the carrier completly (best and strongest)
Mini Spool replaces the spider gears and fits in an open carrier (cheaper little better than lincoln)
Lincoln locker, you weld the spiders together, cheap and easy but not the strongest option.

Lockers

Uses good when extreme traction is needed rockcrawling drag racing etc

Characteristics: all locker will unlock some are selectable (push a button) some sense load and unlock when you coast through a corner but they all unlock and most go to an open position so the shafts can differentiate through corners and what not. (a few newer locker default to a LSD) The ones that unlock on coast can be lots of fun, detroits have been know to cause sudden lane changes, many may kick and buck around a turn if you are under power increased tire wear etc. lots of noise banging as it locks and unlocks. Bad news on the snow and ice. costs 400 and up. Lunchbox lockers are cheaper $250. Can be found used but are pretty hard to find, as there are very few factory applications

Comon types
Detroit locker Old reliable, good diff not selectable pretty predictable but you will need to adjust your driving style
Lunchbox locker Fits in your open carrier works good ratchets or may kick and buck you will have to adjust your driving style.
ARB air actuated and selectable either on or off very popular in the off road crowd
OX cable actuated selectable
E-locker solenoid selectable defaults as a LSD