Ford Rearends
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
I think you'll probably be tapped out of your budget if you buy even an open third member from a junk yard. My brother spent $300 USD on a used third member for his '79 Ford. This was for a 3rd member with 3.50 gears, which, according to the parts guy, was one of the most sought after ratios. The only way you're going to get a good deal on nine inch parts is if you find what you need in the classified ads.
Also, setting up a locking differential is pretty labor intensive and you shouldn't do it unless you have done it before or are going to get help from someone who has. The exceptions are the Detroit easy locker and LA lockright, which use parts from the open differential and do not require disassembly of the third member to install. They are also cheaper, but I don't know anything about their durability for offroading.
Also, setting up a locking differential is pretty labor intensive and you shouldn't do it unless you have done it before or are going to get help from someone who has. The exceptions are the Detroit easy locker and LA lockright, which use parts from the open differential and do not require disassembly of the third member to install. They are also cheaper, but I don't know anything about their durability for offroading.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Ford Rearends
Used third member cost me $75.00 at salvage. New pinion seal and crush collar plus labor to install was additional $45.00. That was for 28 spline with 2.72 to help ease the gas prices. 31 spline open 3.5 runs $100 around here with lockers bringing $150.00 to $200.00. Thats just for the third member or center chunk.
1977 F-100
300 I-6 / C-4 (soon to be AOD)
Offy C intake w/Edelbrock 500CFM
Hooker Ceramic coated headers w/duals, turbos, tips, and 02's
MSD6A w/Blaster Coil
Headlight relay system (Delanty style)
Overhead Mount FM-CD etc.
R-134 A/C system (I'm cool)
1977 F-100
300 I-6 / C-4 (soon to be AOD)
Offy C intake w/Edelbrock 500CFM
Hooker Ceramic coated headers w/duals, turbos, tips, and 02's
MSD6A w/Blaster Coil
Headlight relay system (Delanty style)
Overhead Mount FM-CD etc.
R-134 A/C system (I'm cool)
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bigeric
Also, setting up a locking differential is pretty labor intensive and you shouldn't do it unless you have done it before or are going to get help from someone who has. The exceptions are the Detroit easy locker and LA lockright, which use parts from the open differential and do not require disassembly of the third member to install. They are also cheaper, but I don't know anything about their durability for offroading.
It took me about 6hrs, 2 1/2 were just getting the break drums off. They were rusted tight.
From what I've heard and seen they are plenty tough.
But... They have a click click click sound when easing around tight turns. If gas is applied it locks and the tires chirp.
Steve
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
okie72
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Mar 23, 2013 09:37 PM
rustyescott
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
19
Jan 26, 2013 05:06 AM
77_400
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 24, 2001 08:48 AM
