Yeah, I agree with tite4x4 on the use of some sort of traction adding device. I would save my pennies for the ARB. or one of the other selectable lockers. I use the Detroit Locker on the 94 F150 now and it can be a pain on the street with all the jerkiness and the tires wear out alot faster. After my 408 goes in I'll be looking at a larger rearend (Dana 60 most likely) with the ARB in it. That 35 spline ARB sounds sweet for the front!

tite4x4....nice rig! where were the snow pictures from? It looks familiar?

 

Thank You
The snow pics were taken durring the Winter Fun Fest, up near Truckee, CA. I try to go every year. I just noticed that you're up in Northern CA. Where abouts?

Also on that note, That is why I went ahead and purchased the ARB for the rear along with 4.56 gears. Just got the parts Tuesday. So they aren't installed yet.

The front 33 or 35 spline will be sweet when it comes out. I can't wait. With my current configuration of the KlunV under drive and the Atlas II transfer case, the weekest link right now is the front axles and u-joints. Hince, why I purchased the OX u-joints. When I get pics developed I'll post them

 

It sounds as though your pretty bulletproof on your drivetrain once you get the new front axles/u's. I'm going to go with the Atlas possibly too, I'm not sure that the stock one will hold up long to the 408.

How do you like that KlunV? Whats your final ratio with that puppy?

We spend a great deal of time in the Truckee area, we have alot of friends that live there. I fish that area as much as possible for Trout and Kokanee Salmon. I'm out here in the Central Valley right now, but spend alot of work time in the East Bay. Your pics look like the road we take to get into our cabin in the winter. SPI locks the gate on our road after they are done logging in the fall so the road doesnt get plowed until spring. It makes it a little tough at times for the people that live back in there, we've not been able to get in all the way in since December. No one broke trail after each storm this year and there was more than 2' still last week. A neighborjust got in there with a Case and plowed it...I should be up there right now shoveling snow away from the doors, but it will have to wait until next week.

 

bulletproof is what I'm working towards. I'm going broke on trying to have stock OEM equipement braking and having to keep rebuilding them. That's why I am now installing new parts to be as much bulletproof as possible. Again check out High Impact, I posted earlyer. very informative.

KlunV = 2.7 low range ang the Atlas has 3.8 low range. Combined low range = 10.26. Multiplied by the 4.10 gears in both diffs = 42.07. Then multiply that by what ever the gear ratio of the E4OD tranny is, 1st-2nd-3rd-and OD, mostly it would be the first gear to be used. So this set up has some insane off-road gearing capabilities along with good highway performance.

As far as the KlunV is considered, I don't even know its there until I shift it into low range.

Maybe we could get together and do some wheeling. I'm trying to get together with some other full size Bronos on Sunday to go to Hollister.

BTW - jims406rs/Jimmy; I didn't mean to steal your orriganl post, I do hope that some of this info has been helpfull.

 

tite4x4--no problem, I appriciate all of everyones input, However, I would still like to get some first hand opinions on the trac-loc. I just purchased this truck and it is currently 3.55 with open diffs front and rear. I decided to do the gear swap to help offset the 35's and I figured why I was in there I should put some sort of traction device in. I have never really done any off roading before nor do I plan to do much now as there really isnt any where around here to do it. I may find a trail or some muddy field around once in a while so I cant really justify spending the extra cash on the air locker. The trac-loc is only 250 so I was thinking of going with that just because of the afforability. I am sure I dont have to tell anyone the cost involed in the gear swap alone by the time you get bearings and all of the other misc. parts that are required. To be real honest I mainly will drive this bronco back and forth to work. Based on what this truck is being used for do you guys still really think I should do something like the ARB, or would I be fine with the trac-loc? Or should I stick with the open diff?
Thanks
Jimmy

 

Well, when I first got my rig I was only going up to tahoe in 4x4 durring the winter. Then I gradually started to go off-roading more. The more I have gone off road, the more I get hooked. I had my Rear-end rebuilt with Eaton limited slip and 4.10 gears front & rear, and had rotors mounted on the rear. Now I wish I would have done the ARB or other locker the first time around.

What gears did you get, or planning on getting? If you haven't got them yet, You would be very happy with 4.56 gears, maybe even 4.88 for the small motor. The 5.0 is a little less power then my 5.8. But I also have more gearing options. The Trac-Loc, I don't know enough about it to help you out there.

BTW - Since we are on the subject on the rear-end and have been talking about putting in new gears & lockers. Mine rear-end just exploded yesterday. I was planning on going down to Hollister Hills Off-Road park today. So yesterday I was parked in my driveway giving my rig the twice over to see if everything was going to work all good. Sitting there testing the twin shifters for my Atlas and POP and Grind At first I thought it was tranny, since I've had nothing but problems with it from day one. Come to find out it was the rear-end. The diff bassically deteriorated. Lukiley I had just purchased an ARB and 4.56 Gears two weeks ago. So that's what I have been doing all day, takeing my rear apart, Kinda like out with old and in with new. All that's left is setting backlash & preload, and torqueing everything down and putting it all back under this beast of burden. Then I have to run wiring and the air line to the ARB.

 

tite4x4...sounds like you had your work cut out for you! Get it all back up? That Detroit should work out good for you, allbeit a little squirilly on the street. Hollister Hills is fun, I havent been down there in along time. EMail me some time and we'll go wheelin!

 

Jimmy
I put 4.10's in my Bronco and they work real good. But I have the 5.8 motor. I thought about the 4.56 but took the easy way out with the 4.10's. I was able to find a front Differential assembly from a 88 F 250 in a bone yard for $250 that bolted right in and my buddy who is a mustang nut did the rear for me. The whole job was done for under $400.

 

I'm not quit done yet. Had to go to work durring this project. I'm also trying to fix a few other things too. One of the studs that holds the leaf spring together snapped. Have to go get new one today and maybe a new shim. The Wiring and air line for the ARB will be finished today. And hopefully the rest of inatsll will be done, too. If not tommorrow.

Then I will have to change the gears in the front to 4.56 to match the rear. Maybe next weekend I'll do that project.