I understand NS, LOL if I go into this thing as far as I'd like to go I don't think any of it is going to be cheap LOL. If I skimp on the selectable locker it would be like building a new house and putting used toilets in it LOL. I actually know a guy who did that very thing LMAO. I really appreciate all your input NS and I am going to check out the OX lockers.

 

NS I would like to ask you another couple of questions please. I have been looking at different lockers on the internet that they "say" fit Dana 44 differentials but they all have different spline counts. My question is do I actually have to pull an axle out and count the splines or is there another way to determine the spline count? I also see some lockers that say "for reverse rotation", I know that is not referring to backing the truck up so can you please shed some light on this for me? Thank You

 

Somebody might know your spline count, but I don't. And if you ask the diff manufacturer they will likely know what it is if you give them the specifics on your truck (and they'll likely be right!). Or you can pull the shafts and count, although that is a pain, especially in the front end, so it's best done when you need to take stuff apart anyway, or else when you can leave it apart until you reassemble it with the new diff.

Reverse rotation are (I believe) essentially synonymous with high pinion cases. They may be some high pinion cases that aren't reverse rotation, but if there are they aren't from the factory.

Originally all diffs were in rear axles and the gears were designed to run quiet and be strong the way they ran in a rear end. Then companies started making front drive axles and the just turned rear diffs around to use them in front axles, but that meant the gears were driving on the weaker side. Then someone decided they should make gears specifically for the front, that went the opposite way so they'd be driving on the strong side again, hence the name "reverse rotation". I can't remember why the pinion is above the axle centerline with reverse rotation diffs, but it is, which makes turning a front diff around and putting it in the rear a popular option for rockcrawlers (to get the driveshaft farther away from the rocks), even though it puts the gears driving on the weak side again.

Anyway, look at your front diff. I'm pretty sure the pinion will be above the center of the axle and you have a high pinion, reverse rotation axle. The rear is almost certainly low pinion and is not reverse rotation.

 

You cant do an ox with a ttb axle, the shifting mechanism is mounted in their replacement diff cover, which can't be replaced on a ttb axle as it is part of the axle beam...

 

Good to know. OX was recommended to me for my '71 Bronco (no TTB there). I haven't looked into it too much yet (a front locker isn't in the budget for any of my vehicles right now).

 

That's very true, I hadn't even thought about that. I looked at the OX lockers and noticed what you are referring to but it didn't even register to me, I appreciate you bringing this up. It appears I am confined to the electrical locker after all LOL. This is probably going to involve some phone conversations with the manufactures before a final decision is made. Thanks again guys I appreciate your input.