Driving--postive or negative?
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Driving--postive or negative?
hi, i have a 94 bronco xlt..i have 4 wheel drive push button, low and high....but normally its in 2 wheel drive, which is the rear wheels...and im wondering, from recent comments from my friends...does the truck have both rear wheels gettin power, or just one wheel gettin power?? thanks
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From: Hanscom AFB, MA
That all depends on what the traction on the road surface is like. Long story, but if you're axle deep in mud, only one of the rear wheels will spin. If you're on dry ground, both are getting power to them.
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From: MA
I believe the all broncos came stock from the factory with an 'open' differential. This designs sends the power to the wheels with the least amount of traction. Some vehicles (like my 04 F150), came from the factory with a limited slip, which provides power to both rear wheels.
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From: MA
Check the rear tag on the differential. If it has a limited slip, and 3.55 gears, it should say something like 3L55. You mentioned the slight braking, and that is a trick to somewhat fool the differential. As I said, the power is sent to the free wheel on an open diff. When braking pressure is applied, neither wheel has any more or less spin than the other, so the differential can split the power between the both.
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From: SC
Yep, see if your rear end has the tag hanging of one bolt of the rear cover. The first number of the ratio is almost always partially obscured by the head of the bolt holding the tag on. You can usually make out that it is a "3" or "4". The next one will be an "L" is you have a limited slip. If not then it will be the remainder of the gear ratio. As in 3.55 or 3L.55 (possibly a 3.73 or even rarely a 4.10).
If your Bronco came with the "towing package", it's a good bet it also got a limited slip rear end. As did my '87.
If your Bronco came with the "towing package", it's a good bet it also got a limited slip rear end. As did my '87.
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You can check the code at your door post if you don't want to get under your truck in the cold winter. The driver side door post has a white sticker with all of the vehicle information. On that sticker will be a section titled "Axle Code". If you have a limited slip rear end the code will start with an "H" if my memory serves me correct. H19 is for the 3.55 limited slip rear end. 19 is the 3.55 gearing with the open differential. If the code just has a number then you have the open differential. I'm only going by memory so my numbers and letters may be off. Your operating manual has the codes in it I think under specs. If you can't find it then I'll post the codes when I find my book.
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From: Oromocto NB
Sproutw is correct, you can tell by the tag on the door jam. Any ford that has a letter in the axle code is going to be some sort of limited or traction lok diff. This is how I find and collect them from the junk yards, saves me from getting dirty. 
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I was told that the L in 3L55 stood for Locker not limited slip, is this true? If I tromped down on the pedal on my old 88 Bronco the truck would light up both tires and go sideways I thought that was a locker trait. My New 88 has the same axles both had the towing package.
Mike
88 EB Bronco 302 (new)
88 XLT Bronco 351 (old missed terribly)
01 S-Crew 4x4 5.4l
Mike
88 EB Bronco 302 (new)
88 XLT Bronco 351 (old missed terribly)
01 S-Crew 4x4 5.4l
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Schrubmeister,
Looking through the axle code book all I've seen available for the Bronco from Ford was the limited slip rear end. I don't see anything availalbe for a locker rear end. My limited slip rear ends will light up both tires and do what you described. Maybe Ford did introduce a locker, just don't see a code for it.
Looking through the axle code book all I've seen available for the Bronco from Ford was the limited slip rear end. I don't see anything availalbe for a locker rear end. My limited slip rear ends will light up both tires and do what you described. Maybe Ford did introduce a locker, just don't see a code for it.
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From: Oromocto NB
I agree with you sproutw, the locker is rare and i've only ever seen a few in all my years. many people call their limited slips a locker but thats because they don't know the differance. The only way I've ever been able to determine a limited from a locker was to take the cover off or lift the wheels off of the ground and spin the wheels. A locker should work like a open diff when one wheel is turned the other wheel does in the opposit direction, locker drives both wheels under engine torgue. Limiited slip - both wheels turn in the same direction.
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From: Hanscom AFB, MA
Originally Posted by SproutW
You can check the code at your door post if you don't want to get under your truck in the cold winter. The driver side door post has a white sticker with all of the vehicle information. On that sticker will be a section titled "Axle Code". If you have a limited slip rear end the code will start with an "H" if my memory serves me correct. H19 is for the 3.55 limited slip rear end. 19 is the 3.55 gearing with the open differential. If the code just has a number then you have the open differential. I'm only going by memory so my numbers and letters may be off. Your operating manual has the codes in it I think under specs. If you can't find it then I'll post the codes when I find my book.
