I threw this line out in the Transfer case and Axel forum yesterday, and I thought that I should toss the idea out here.

I recently was searching the forums and I came across some people who had bought used LS carriers and rebuilt them, then they put them into their 150's and broncos. However I have yet to find any one that has done this to their Ranger, I was thinking of doing this as a good inexpensive mod to my ranger as I do alot of 4x4'in and I hate my open diff (btw, i dont want a locker...).

(8.8 rear, 3.73 open diff)

Has anyone done this to their ranger, or did your ranger already come with LS?

Was or is, it worth it?

Any problems, mechanically?

Just thought I'd ask the question, I've had LS in larger pickups, but I have yet to put one in... I would assume it's pretty easy in that all I'd have to do is remove the open diff carrier, and replace it with the LS carrier, like any other 8.8 rearend, right?

Any thoughts and or ideas will be appreciated.

 

I don't have one in my Ranger but there is a real art to setting up a rear properly.

 

My Ranger came with the Trac-Lok(?) limited slip in it, and I know nothing about installing one. I think a ls slip would make a big difference for you when 4x-ing, in mud, gravel, whatever. I've been curious about the Torsen LS differential. Don't the new FX4's have them? Maybe someone can comment on how the torsen feels in comparison to the factory LS. I'm pretty sure you can buy the Torsen for Ford 8.8's. Check out their website...


Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L 5spd SuperCab/ Off-Road (8.8 3.73 LS)

 

My 2003 FX4-Level II has the Torsen (standard FX4's have the standard LS).

I've only had _limited_ experience with it, but so far I like it a lot.

The Torsen works differently. Instead of just turning both wheels at the same time, it torque balances the load across the axle, from left to right or right to left. It is supposed to move the torque to the wheel with the greatest traction.

Like I said, my experience has been limited so far (only had it 3 weeks), but one area it definitely feels better to me is in cornering. While I have no doubt that it would kick the ***-end around on me like any other limited slip if I weren't careful, it seems to be a lot mellower about it. The Torsen acts a bit like an open differential when cornering as long as you don't get your foot into it too hard. I _think_ it also tends to move the torque to the outside wheel during cornering, which is the wheel with the greatest grip during cornering.

And no clutch chatter

Larry


>My Ranger came with the Trac-Lok(?) limited slip in it, and
>I know nothing about installing one. I think a ls slip would
>make a big difference for you when 4x-ing, in mud, gravel,
>whatever. I've been curious about the Torsen LS
>differential. Don't the new FX4's have them? Maybe someone
>can comment on how the torsen feels in comparison to the
>factory LS. I'm pretty sure you can buy the Torsen for Ford
>8.8's. Check out their website...
>
>
>Brian J Wilson
>1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L 5spd SuperCab/ Off-Road (8.8
>3.73 LS)

 

 

Here's a link on how to do it!

http://www.mercurycapri.com/technica...ine/rytld.html

 

My FX4 is an 02, and I love the Torsen in it. There's nothing I love more that seeing two huge black stripes and a billow of smoke as I leave first gear (bucking sideways, of course), then hearing a healthy scratch, two more black marks, and bucking sideways again after I hit second gear. My other two Rangers had open diff's, so I can't compare my Torsen to the Trac-Loc. You may want to spend a few xtra bucks and get an ARB air locker. I know they make 'em for the 8.8. That way you get a locker when you want it (like wheeling) and open when you don't.