Locker for the front differential

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Jan 3, 2001 | 11:17 AM

#16

jda

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Locker for the front differential

As always, thanks to everyone for the info. This is something I am not rushing into, I can't afford to do this wrong the first time. It sounds like I may just have to save my pennies and dimes and get an air locker. The cable operated locker sounds good if it is strong enough and they make one to fit my front diff. Most of the time I use 4X4 is in four high, but we have some roads I have to use four low. And it will not be every day I will need the locker in the front, but it is one of those things that when you need it, there is nothing else that will work. Anyone else out there with any suggestions or experience with these things, please put in your opinion, thanks to all.

Jan 3, 2001 | 11:37 AM

#17

campster

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Locker for the front differential

Given the age of your truck you may be lucky enough to have a Dana 60 front axle. OxTrax may be a year or more away from having a cable unit for the D60 since it uses a larger ring & pinon. I have been told that the D50 shares its ringsize (but not its mounting holes) with the D44. Its axles, steering knuckles, etc. are derived from a D60 to help support the weight of the Diesel.

Jan 4, 2001 | 10:40 AM

#18

jda

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Locker for the front differential

I will have to check the front diff closer for any numbers or markings. I will also ask the dealer if they can tell me. Here is something I do know about the front diff. When I bought the truck, it needed a front diff axle joint (looks like a U-joint to me) replaced. I went to the parts store and got what they said I needed, it cost about $22 or $23. I took it to the garage and the mechanic said I had the wrong joint, the one I had was for a heavier duty front end with larger diameter hubs. He said the front diff in my truck is the same as in a F-150 4X4, has smaller diameter hubs. I took that joint back to the store and got the smaller one, it cost about $12, took it to the garage and it was the correct one. Needless to say I was disappointed to find my truck has anything on it from a F-150, as far as I am concerned, the bigger and heavier duty, the better, but I don't have the money to replace the front with a heavier one. Thanks for the info, I will check the diff for numbers.
Anyone have a phone number or E mail add for, is it Oxtrack, making the cable operated locker?

Jan 4, 2001 | 11:38 AM

#19

campster

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Locker for the front differential

OxTrax is distributed through Drivetrain Direct at 888-584-4327

You need to get the BOM (Bill of Materials) number off your fonrt axle and then call any drivetrain shop (above or local) who can decode it for you. There will be two groups of numbers stamped on your axle near or on the pumpkin. Wirte down the whole mess and give someone a call.

Jan 4, 2001 | 10:30 PM

#20

cable_guy

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Locker for the front differential

Well, lets see....If you are really worried about the strength of your front axle, You may want to just swap in a DANA 60 from an '86.5 to '97 F-350. There are several limited slips, lockers, and gear sets available for them. I know a guy who did this swap on an '85 F-350, it had a TTB, he said it was pretty straight forward. The axle in your truck probably is a 44TTB if it has the small hubs and small joints. The 50TTB has DANA 60 sized hubs, joints, and larger axle shafts(if I remember right), although the guy I mentioned above said he's seen several variations in the F-250s, the late eighty's models mostly. Does your truck have a floating axle in the rear? Is it a Sterling 10.25 or a DANA 60? What is your GVWR? I'm going to have to get a book on this subject. Anybody know of one?

Jan 5, 2001 | 08:06 AM

#21

Hammer@

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Locker for the front differential

The 44IFS has the small u joints.Go to tech articles on this web site you will find a story on installing a Dana 60 mono beam in place of a IFS and installing a Detroit Locker. I dont think you will want a locker in front,it will be hard to turn.If you have the NP 208 transfer case I don't know if it could take the stress with all 4 wheels locked up. The 208 is light and has a thin chain.The TruTrac sounds like the way to go if they make it for the 44IFS.

Jan 7, 2001 | 11:59 AM

#22

szczyrk

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Locker for the front differential

Hi
You seem to me as you know a lot about this truck , I recently bought F-250 XLT Lariat 4x4 , can you be so kind and provide with some info about this truck?
Can I email you directly?
regards
marek
Poland

Jan 8, 2001 | 11:53 AM

#23

jda

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Locker for the front differential

Welcome to the forum, congratlations on your truck. Feel free to E mail me any time, but a word of advice. I am not a mechanic, I have never been trained as a mechanic. What I know I have learned from asking mechanics and making a pest of myself. They hate to see me coming, I imagine. But I have learned a lot that way. Also, there are a number of people on this forum that know much, much more than I know. I will tell you all I know about any problem you may have, but I may not be a lot of help. If I don't know the answer, I will tell you I don't know and refer you to someone else, and/or I will go to a couple of different garages and ask the mechanics, then tell you what they tell me. I think anyone here on the forum will be more than willing to help you, everyone has done a lot to help me, maybe I can return the favor some. Lots of luck, enjoy your truck.