open diff to ls diff?
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New User
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open diff to ls diff?
i have a 92 f150 xlt 302 rwd. i was wondering what i could with the rear axle its an open diff and i live where it snows so basically all the little front wheel drive cars laugh at me in the snow. im not sure if i can easily replace the guts of the axle without shimming anything to get limited slip or if its easier to replace the whole axle it currently has the stock 3.55 non ls diff. i dont have a ton of money to spend on the truck. also if anyone knows i was trying to figure out the trans its a t code trans according to the door jam which everywhere i read is a 4 speed auto for the ranger???? by ear its 4 speed auto with the last gear being overdrive im not sure why the code says its the ranger trans or maybe im reading the decoder wrong lol. anyways thanks for any advice clarification in advance.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Not sure about the trans, probably the electronic version of the AOD. As for the axle, your easiest bet is to find a complete LS axle and swap it in. It's not impossible to setup a rear, but it does take some skill and isn't for the beginner.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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you can probably have the diff swapped out for about $750 including material if you go with a Ford trac lok. Find a reputable shop with some experience and your good to go. Much less work than swapping out the axle with a used one in unknown condition and worrying about brake lines, u bolts, parking break cables, rear brakes....etc.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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you can probably have the diff swapped out for about $750 including material if you go with a Ford trac lok. Find a reputable shop with some experience and your good to go. Much less work than swapping out the axle with a used one in unknown condition and worrying about brake lines, u bolts, parking brake cables, rear brakes....etc.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
i have a 92 f150 xlt 302 rwd. i was wondering what i could with the rear axle its an open diff and i live where it snows so basically all the little front wheel drive cars laugh at me in the snow. im not sure if i can easily replace the guts of the axle without shimming anything to get limited slip or if its easier to replace the whole axle it currently has the stock 3.55 non ls diff. i dont have a ton of money to spend on the truck. also if anyone knows i was trying to figure out the trans its a t code trans according to the door jam which everywhere i read is a 4 speed auto for the ranger???? by ear its 4 speed auto with the last gear being overdrive im not sure why the code says its the ranger trans or maybe im reading the decoder wrong lol. anyways thanks for any advice clarification in advance.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
you can probably have the diff swapped out for about $750 including material if you go with a Ford trac lok. Find a reputable shop with some experience and your good to go. Much less work than swapping out the axle with a used one in unknown condition and worrying about brake lines, u bolts, parking break cables, rear brakes....etc.
I agree....if your rear axle is in good shape then keep what you have. Swapping in a LS carrier is not rocket science but it does involve some time and knowledge. A decent shop should be able to it in a few hours. This is an excellent time to install new bearings and seals too.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
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From: Easton,Ks
The below is for a 8.8" rear end.
The part swap is not that bad and does not require a rework of shimming.
The shims are for the housing and not the parts that go in it. You just have to use the same shims in the same place and the bearing caps back in the same place they came out of.
I have talked to some shops and they do it the same way I do it. What I have done is go to a salvage yard an open up a core return LS rear end and see if what I need is OK in it then buy it for about $50.00. Go to an auto part store and buy the seal and bearing kit ($100.00) plus the wheel bearings and seals.
I have done this a number of times and have never had a problem with any of the rear ends going bad or coming back.
Put a torque wrench on the clutches before you put the gears in the housing and check the slip. If it slips too much replace the clutches. I cut two axles and welded a socket on one of them to test the slip.
The part swap is not that bad and does not require a rework of shimming.
The shims are for the housing and not the parts that go in it. You just have to use the same shims in the same place and the bearing caps back in the same place they came out of.
I have talked to some shops and they do it the same way I do it. What I have done is go to a salvage yard an open up a core return LS rear end and see if what I need is OK in it then buy it for about $50.00. Go to an auto part store and buy the seal and bearing kit ($100.00) plus the wheel bearings and seals.
I have done this a number of times and have never had a problem with any of the rear ends going bad or coming back.
Put a torque wrench on the clutches before you put the gears in the housing and check the slip. If it slips too much replace the clutches. I cut two axles and welded a socket on one of them to test the slip.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
I rebuilt the 8.8 axle in my truck and swapped the Trac-Loc for a True-Trac with the same gears. The pinion shim was the same with new bearings, but the new differential required shim setup for both backlash and pre-load due to the slight difference in size from the OEM differential. I do not recommend installing a new (or different) differential without setting backlash and pre-load, even with the same gears.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: South Jersey
Id second the true trac instead of that horrible ford ls, I smoked clitches in my 2004 F350 twice before I had enough and had a detroit locker installed this winter. And your problem isnt one tire wonder its tire choice and weight in the rear. First get a second set or rear snow tires on junkyard steel wheels amd buy this
http://www.shurtrax.com/
I have one in the winter for my F350 and I never use 4wd unless im off road hunting in snow etc
galaxy S4 using IB AutoGroup
http://www.shurtrax.com/
I have one in the winter for my F350 and I never use 4wd unless im off road hunting in snow etc
galaxy S4 using IB AutoGroup
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
If the OP is on a budget the factory trac - loc is a decent choice. Replace the clutches with Ford Racing carbon fiber discs. It will last for years under normal street use.
If they have money to spend a true trac is an excellent choice.
If they have money to spend a true trac is an excellent choice.
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thanks for all the replies. i may or may not be getting an ls carrier with 4.10 gears put in. havnt discussed price or anything but have talked with the mechanic that runs the shop literally around the block from me. i know the mechanic so i might just get a good deal on used diff and gears he's got. really im just looking into it this what would be a good route to go not really sure if i will at all the trucks not terrible in the snow but it would be nice not to be one wheel wonder anymore. also i always have at least 300 pounds of something or another on the back axle in the winter on all terrain tires to i think im covered there
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