Differential Upgrade
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
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Differential Upgrade
I have a 97 4x4 with open differentials 
I would like to upgrade. I would like a type of locking differential in the rear, i know my truck the front can't be locked, so I would like a limited slip in the front. But I dont wnat my truck to drive like crap cuz the rear's locked...
I like the idea of the detroit ez locker, but I dont want to get somethin that the manufacturer tells u that its gonna break in about a year and turn ur axels to popcorn.
I was wonderin if there is a simple way to buy a new differential, that has the gears already set, and all you have to do is set it up under the truck.
? Is the housing on the axleshafts made to the pumpkin, Or would you have to buy them both as one piece? Is it easy to bolt a new rearend to the drive shaft?
Are there better limited slips then the ford ones, where u have to get stuck and mash the e brake for it to actually catch?
I would like to upgrade. I would like a type of locking differential in the rear, i know my truck the front can't be locked, so I would like a limited slip in the front. But I dont wnat my truck to drive like crap cuz the rear's locked...
I like the idea of the detroit ez locker, but I dont want to get somethin that the manufacturer tells u that its gonna break in about a year and turn ur axels to popcorn.
I was wonderin if there is a simple way to buy a new differential, that has the gears already set, and all you have to do is set it up under the truck.
? Is the housing on the axleshafts made to the pumpkin, Or would you have to buy them both as one piece? Is it easy to bolt a new rearend to the drive shaft?
Are there better limited slips then the ford ones, where u have to get stuck and mash the e brake for it to actually catch?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
you can get a detroit truetrac up front in your 8.8
what you want a 3rd member and the only ford axle you can get that for is the 9". you pretty much have to do it the old fashioned way with all other axles.
the axle tubes are pressed into your centersection and can be pressed back out but its a pain. and swapping rear axles is actually very easy as most rears have the same spring perch width. the biggest problem you might have is finding the right u-joint to mate your current shaft with the new axles' pinion.
if i were you i would get selectables front and rear if you can afford them b/c it sounds like this truck is still a pavement pounder and reliability is a concern.
-cutts-
what you want a 3rd member and the only ford axle you can get that for is the 9". you pretty much have to do it the old fashioned way with all other axles.
the axle tubes are pressed into your centersection and can be pressed back out but its a pain. and swapping rear axles is actually very easy as most rears have the same spring perch width. the biggest problem you might have is finding the right u-joint to mate your current shaft with the new axles' pinion.
if i were you i would get selectables front and rear if you can afford them b/c it sounds like this truck is still a pavement pounder and reliability is a concern.
-cutts-
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
You cant put a limited slip in the front either or it will cause the driveshaft to spin all the time. (just more wear and tear and probably hurt gas mileage a tiny bit)
The rear, if you have a 4.2L or 4.6L, its an 8.8 and that has many options(5.4L has a 9.75 rear). You say you want a locker but dont want it to drive like crap? Your only option there is to get a Selectable locker that can be locked and unlocked by the driver. BUT those are very pricey, most are $1000, not including installation.
Your best bet would be to get an Auburn limited slip for the rear wich is much stronger than the stock Ford LSD. It is not something you can simply "bolt on". You'll have to take it to someone who installs gears.
The rear, if you have a 4.2L or 4.6L, its an 8.8 and that has many options(5.4L has a 9.75 rear). You say you want a locker but dont want it to drive like crap? Your only option there is to get a Selectable locker that can be locked and unlocked by the driver. BUT those are very pricey, most are $1000, not including installation.
Your best bet would be to get an Auburn limited slip for the rear wich is much stronger than the stock Ford LSD. It is not something you can simply "bolt on". You'll have to take it to someone who installs gears.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Originally Posted by monsterbaby
one thing to watch is the 97 should have the speed sensor built into the diff, so swapping axles to something like a 9" or D70 would mean no speedo., And fishy the 8, and 9" fords both use drop outs.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by monsterbaby
And fishy the 8, and 9" fords both use drop outs
-cutts-
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From: iowa
Originally Posted by proeliator
Yup, theres at least two dress sizes difference between the two
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You cant put a limited slip in the front either or it will cause the driveshaft to spin all the time. (just more wear and tear and probably hurt gas mileage a tiny bit)
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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Im thinkin the same as mike...
82 4x4 f150 u have to get amtek to explain that, Im thinkin it was amtex that explained it to me. Somethin with the axle is always locked to the wheels...
Wheres a good place to get some online info about the auburns? I hear people talkin about them all the time on here. Do they sell a product that has the speed sensor built in to hook-up correctly to my truck?
And yes my truck is a daily driver 30 miles of interstate a day for work, and another 40 highway for fun, occasional offroad I just want more confidence to go offroad by myself w/out another truck.
82 4x4 f150 u have to get amtek to explain that, Im thinkin it was amtex that explained it to me. Somethin with the axle is always locked to the wheels...
Wheres a good place to get some online info about the auburns? I hear people talkin about them all the time on here. Do they sell a product that has the speed sensor built in to hook-up correctly to my truck?
And yes my truck is a daily driver 30 miles of interstate a day for work, and another 40 highway for fun, occasional offroad I just want more confidence to go offroad by myself w/out another truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by zman764
Wheres a good place to get some online info about the auburns? I hear people talkin about them all the time on here. Do they sell a product that has the speed sensor built in to hook-up correctly to my truck?
-cutts-