I am going to be installing 3.73 gears and a traction lock in the F150 sometime soon. I am open to any tips from anyone that has done this before. I am also shopping around for a complete install kit with bearings, seals, shims, marking compound etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

 

Have you checked with Reider and Randy's for installation kits? They didn't have kits where you got the ring and pinion and LSD?

 

The ring and pinion and LSD I have came from a low mileage 5.0 Explorer. I've never heard of that outfit. I'll check them out.

 

Two places. 1) Reider Racing & 2) Randy's Ring and Pinion

 

Other than one of these complete kits like Motive Gear offers which is part number R8.8RMKT and the appropriate fluid, is there anything else that will be needed? Someone please chime in, if this kit is incorrect for this application.

 

Clutch pack, new cross-pin?

 

That should do it for parts/supplies. Are you good on the tools,skills for the install? A little more involved than just bolting in. Maybe you are,just figured I'd ask so if you aren't you'll know what you're getting onto.

 

Since it is OEM stuff, if you kept the shims from the original install, you can at least get a good start in your housing. Not that it will be perfect but get you closer then nothing. At least that is what I've seen with most Ford stuff.

 

Dont bother geting a trac lok. You have the diff out already, mind as well get a tru trac

 

I've had traction lock units in several vehicles and have always been happy with them, besides I already have the unit.

 

I've read a few comments online about the shims in the Motive Gear kit not being as good as the ones from Ford. Are these from Ford Racing M-4210-A the same as the actual Ford ones or are they the same thing that comes from Motive Gear?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/f...view/make/ford

 

Does the cross pin need to be replaced?

 

I've got the trac lok in my 94 and I like it a lot. Having said that I will replace it with a tru trac if/when I rebuild my rear diff. There's nothing wrong with the trac lok but when I redo something I like to upgrade it if possible and money permits.

 

Don't forget that you can always play with the limited slip clutches to achieve a stronger engagement if your not happy with the factory performance.

 

Personally I find there's no sweet spot in how tight a clutch-type limited slip is set up. The almost completely worn out limited slip in my '97 is still tight enough that it screws up handling in snow slightly, while being completely useless for improving traction. As far as I'm concerned an open diff is an upgrade from a clutch-type limited slip. But putting a TrueTrac in is on the project list, just not very high on the budgetary priority list.