Open to LS?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
Open to LS?
I have a 95 F150 2wd with a fully open rear diff. In winter it really sucks as far as traction, I want to go to a boneyard and get a center chunk out of a LS with the same gear ratio. Will this work as far as fitting in the case and will the ring gear and tone ring for the ABS transfer over or will there be problems?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 0
From: South Central Boise
Not to tell you what to do, but having an open diff in the rear for snow is somewhat better. One wheel kinda acts as an anchor. If both tires are spinning you still wont get any traction either. Maybe get some snow tires or more weight in the bed?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
I kinda doubt that a boneyard will disassemble it for you, or let you disassemble an 8.8" rear there, but one may never know.... 
I'd either get a complete axle (they're cheap), or get the parts needed from some mail order house.
I'd either get a complete axle (they're cheap), or get the parts needed from some mail order house.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
Also need to consider the spline count on the axels. LS and Open might be different 31 vs 28, typical counts. As far as gear ratio, should be able to reuse your old gears as I think just the spider design is different when considering the same axel type.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
I have all the tools and know how to set up a differential, but I have never done a swap from open to limited slip. This will be my 10th differential that I have rebuilt so that isn't the problem. I have had 300 pounds of sand in a tube and I have BFG AT's on the truck, even driving slow and careful it gets hard to get going from a stop and I also take the truck hunting and fishing. There is a local gear/tranny house that is like a boneyard solely for differentials, trannys and transfer cases. I was thinking of getting the case with the side and pinion gears and then swapping my ring gear and tone ring over.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
The 8.8 ls differentials should inter change as long as it is out of a truck be cause cars have the 28 spline and trucks have the 31 spline and i would just use the same ring gear that is in the truck now and if you get a ls carrier with out the tone ring you can use your old one it just pops right off after the ring gear is removed
