Anyone Installed a Locking Rear Diff?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: Jersey City
Anyone Installed a Locking Rear Diff?
9 months ago I picked up a 2003 E350 10 passenger with almost no miles on it (60k) as a work truck. It's been great, but I have a steep unpaved driveway to my shop and with just a hint of snow or ice I have a very tough time with the van getting out. I have good snow tires on her now, and that helps, but it's not enough. I was thinking an electronic locking rear diff might help here. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on making this mod? I believe it's a Dana 60 rear end so there are aftermarket mods available.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
I asked a similar question recently - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-07-e350.html
You might be better served by treating the driveway. Or getting a winch
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles
You might be better served by treating the driveway. Or getting a winch
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 2,581
From: Near Salt Lake City
No problemo Lug Nut
Around here there are tons of modified Jeeps with locking dana 60's set up for Moab
Most are air lockers and I have not dealt with any electronic ones yet
Go for it
My buddy with the nice new Raptor wants me to put one in his
Around here there are tons of modified Jeeps with locking dana 60's set up for Moab
Most are air lockers and I have not dealt with any electronic ones yet
Go for it
My buddy with the nice new Raptor wants me to put one in his
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
I think if you investigate this,you will find the difficult part is finding a LS (SureGrip or TracLok) that will work with the 32 spline axles in the Dana 60.. Best bet is a junk yard if cost is a facter. A new LS will cost about $1100-$1200 and then the labor to install it.I think there are only 2 that fit. Try and find a complete axle that is compatible with the year of your axle.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 24
From: Idaho
Rick is right. Van axles have a different spline count than pickups, the aftermarket is pretty much set up for the pickup spline count.
A junkyard swap is the easiest way to do it.
Google van axle codes, so you can look at the door sticker and find what you want in a junk yard. Check the axle tag to confirm that the axle wasn't swapped before it landed in the junkyard.
I ended up swapping to F350 axles when I did my 4x4 swap, but that isn't a straight swap either (axle width, bolt pattern, spring perches).
A junkyard swap is the easiest way to do it.
Google van axle codes, so you can look at the door sticker and find what you want in a junk yard. Check the axle tag to confirm that the axle wasn't swapped before it landed in the junkyard.
I ended up swapping to F350 axles when I did my 4x4 swap, but that isn't a straight swap either (axle width, bolt pattern, spring perches).
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 99
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From: Jersey City
Thanks guys.
I have a couple of emails out to Junk Yards. Looks like an F350 Diff is the place to start if I can get it for a reasonable price. I have a good drive shaft place near me so if I can get a spline with the diff I can have the shaft modified to fit.
I have a couple of emails out to Junk Yards. Looks like an F350 Diff is the place to start if I can get it for a reasonable price. I have a good drive shaft place near me so if I can get a spline with the diff I can have the shaft modified to fit.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 2,581
From: Near Salt Lake City
As far as the spline count on a van vs truck on the dana 60
You should be able to just swap the pinion side gears into the new posi differential case you will be getting
Or the locker if that is your choice
I am sure you can get a posi case for a van
Check Six States or Motion Industries
Some track loc cases have a tendency to crack (the 9 inch ones)
I would go with the Eaton Detroit if you are loaded up with dough
If not flush with cash I would go with Rick1025's advise to replace the axle assembly with a used posi one from the wrecking yard
You should be able to just swap the pinion side gears into the new posi differential case you will be getting
Or the locker if that is your choice
I am sure you can get a posi case for a van
Check Six States or Motion Industries
Some track loc cases have a tendency to crack (the 9 inch ones)
I would go with the Eaton Detroit if you are loaded up with dough
If not flush with cash I would go with Rick1025's advise to replace the axle assembly with a used posi one from the wrecking yard
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
Is a locking differential the recommended approach to a steep slippery climb situation? Seems it wouldn’t be the recommended approach to a slippery boat ramp where you need the front wheels to stay dry or end up on YouTube. The driveway would have to be unevenly iced with no stretch of ice under both rear wheels for a locker to work.
We have a slick paved driveway upwards from a usually clear street. I prefer to back up the driveway but with the rear is on ice and the drone wheels against the bump from street to driveway it’s not going anywhere. Better chance keeping the rear on the street longer then use momentum and revs to get up. Weight on the rear axle going forward might help too. I don’t think a locker would help.
Apologies for the highjack but my interest in a locker is when we park with one side on mud or wet grass. Without a locker will I have better chances getting out with the passenger side or driver side dry? Whatever RSC is isn’t enough but maybe that’s to prevent yaw spins.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles
We have a slick paved driveway upwards from a usually clear street. I prefer to back up the driveway but with the rear is on ice and the drone wheels against the bump from street to driveway it’s not going anywhere. Better chance keeping the rear on the street longer then use momentum and revs to get up. Weight on the rear axle going forward might help too. I don’t think a locker would help.
Apologies for the highjack but my interest in a locker is when we park with one side on mud or wet grass. Without a locker will I have better chances getting out with the passenger side or driver side dry? Whatever RSC is isn’t enough but maybe that’s to prevent yaw spins.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
Is a locking differential the recommended approach to a steep slippery climb situation? Seems it wouldn’t be the recommended approach to a slippery boat ramp where you need the front wheels to stay dry or end up on YouTube. The driveway would have to be unevenly iced with no stretch of ice under both rear wheels for a locker to work.
We have a slick paved driveway upwards from a usually clear street. I prefer to back up the driveway but with the rear is on ice and the drone wheels against the bump from street to driveway it’s not going anywhere. Better chance keeping the rear on the street longer then use momentum and revs to get up. Weight on the rear axle going forward might help too. I don’t think a locker would help.
Apologies for the highjack but my interest in a locker is when we park with one side on mud or wet grass. Without a locker will I have better chances getting out with the passenger side or driver side dry? Whatever RSC is isn’t enough but maybe that’s to prevent yaw spins.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles
We have a slick paved driveway upwards from a usually clear street. I prefer to back up the driveway but with the rear is on ice and the drone wheels against the bump from street to driveway it’s not going anywhere. Better chance keeping the rear on the street longer then use momentum and revs to get up. Weight on the rear axle going forward might help too. I don’t think a locker would help.
Apologies for the highjack but my interest in a locker is when we park with one side on mud or wet grass. Without a locker will I have better chances getting out with the passenger side or driver side dry? Whatever RSC is isn’t enough but maybe that’s to prevent yaw spins.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 178K miles