Limited slip?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 98
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From: San Ysidro
Limited slip?
Hi , tell me if i'm rigth, i understand that open differential means that only 1 tire will spin, and
locking dif. means that both tires will, but how about those limited slip ones, how do they work, also now i'm runing open dif's, if i whant ot make 'em lock, do a detroit locker do the job or do i nead somethig else?
Thank's
locking dif. means that both tires will, but how about those limited slip ones, how do they work, also now i'm runing open dif's, if i whant ot make 'em lock, do a detroit locker do the job or do i nead somethig else?
Thank's
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
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From: Copley, OH
Limited slip?
Actually, a locking differential drives both wheels at the speed of the SLOWER wheel. That means that going around a corner, the inside wheel is the driver. This can cause some strange handling characteristics on pavement, which is why lockers are usually sold as "off-road and race only."
A limited slip differential locks the two axles together witk a clutch pack until the pack's pre-load is exceeded and the wheels then slip with respect to one another just like in an open diff. Unlike an open diff, the pre-load causes some portion of the total torque, usually about 30%, to be transferred to the non-spinning wheel, hopefully giving you enough traction to pull out of the mud, ice or whatever. A limited slip is a much better compromise for the street because it doesn't significantly affect the normal handling the way a locker does.
A limited slip differential locks the two axles together witk a clutch pack until the pack's pre-load is exceeded and the wheels then slip with respect to one another just like in an open diff. Unlike an open diff, the pre-load causes some portion of the total torque, usually about 30%, to be transferred to the non-spinning wheel, hopefully giving you enough traction to pull out of the mud, ice or whatever. A limited slip is a much better compromise for the street because it doesn't significantly affect the normal handling the way a locker does.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 98
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From: San Ysidro
Limited slip?
thank's for you'r answer, do you, or any body nows what do i need to buy, to convert my open dif. to
limited slip? this is for a 4x4 bronco 3.55 gears.
and 33x12.5 /15 BFG's.
limited slip? this is for a 4x4 bronco 3.55 gears.
and 33x12.5 /15 BFG's.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 780
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Limited slip?
I ordered a LS from the factory in the rear of my '91.
Pros: no weird handling characteristics, no noise or tire wear, and very long life, 176,000 miles at present, no wear shown last lube change at 150,000 (Red Line synthetic 75W-140; Ford Friction Modifier, every 50,000 miles).
Cons: Not aggressive at all: I got stuck on a muddy lawn and had to get pulled out by a C**vy.
(Embarassing, but at least it was a truck, not a little Daewoo or some such roadkill.)
If I had it to do over (I might yet, too) I think I would spend the dough and get either an Auburn Pro LS, or, if I hit the Lotto, a Torsen.
Some of these mild lockers look pretty amusing, but I definitely wouldn't go for a full-house Detroit; you WILL do 180s on any slick paved suface, and swapping ends at 70 MPH is not at all amusing.
Ed
Pros: no weird handling characteristics, no noise or tire wear, and very long life, 176,000 miles at present, no wear shown last lube change at 150,000 (Red Line synthetic 75W-140; Ford Friction Modifier, every 50,000 miles).
Cons: Not aggressive at all: I got stuck on a muddy lawn and had to get pulled out by a C**vy.
(Embarassing, but at least it was a truck, not a little Daewoo or some such roadkill.)
If I had it to do over (I might yet, too) I think I would spend the dough and get either an Auburn Pro LS, or, if I hit the Lotto, a Torsen.
Some of these mild lockers look pretty amusing, but I definitely wouldn't go for a full-house Detroit; you WILL do 180s on any slick paved suface, and swapping ends at 70 MPH is not at all amusing.
Ed
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 2
From: Copley, OH
Limited slip?
If you're going to keep your 3.55s all you need are the parts to change over the rear diff (a front LS other than a Torsen just doesn't work on pavement, you can't get the vehicle to turn.)
They're available at your Ford Dealer or for a lot less from Summit or Jeg's. You need:
8.8" 31 spline Traction-Lok differential, Ford Motorsport P/N M-4204F318, $250 at Summit, slightly more at Jeg's. You'll also need an installation kit for a Ford 8.8, usually $80-110.
Unless you've done one before, this is not a "driveway project", find someone who knows what they're doing and pay to get it done.
They're available at your Ford Dealer or for a lot less from Summit or Jeg's. You need:
8.8" 31 spline Traction-Lok differential, Ford Motorsport P/N M-4204F318, $250 at Summit, slightly more at Jeg's. You'll also need an installation kit for a Ford 8.8, usually $80-110.
Unless you've done one before, this is not a "driveway project", find someone who knows what they're doing and pay to get it done.
