Rear diff swap/replacement to LS?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 427
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From: allen park
Rear diff swap/replacement to LS?
I recently bought a 98 F150 4x4 offroad. It's a canadian model. According to the door panel there is a 3.55 Non-LS rear axle. What would be needed to replace the non-LS to a 3.55 LS rear end. It's kinda weird to have a '4x4' with only two wheels actually driving. Besides, I'm hoping to be able to drive without spinning a one wheel wonder in rain everytime I attempt to start out. No I'm not being an idiot on the road, I'm just looking for better traction and hoping to make the 4x4 a little better traction wise.
I won't lie to you, I have not a CLUE what i'm getting myself into. So any help you could offer up is appreciated.
Thanks.
I won't lie to you, I have not a CLUE what i'm getting myself into. So any help you could offer up is appreciated.
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
you have to completely disassemble the rear end but pulling the brake drums, alxe half shafts, pumpkin housing, then pulling out the bevel gear/ spider unit. im not sure if the clutch just bolts to the side of this, or probably they are different and a new unit would need to be installed. then you need to reshim to get clearances and backlash if you have changed out the center unit. might be easier to just buy a different alxe at the scrap yard and do a unit changeout.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 788
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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
I was thinking the same thing about mine. I have a 97 F150 4x4 with 3.55 open but it hasn't stranded me yet.
I saw on the web that powertrax.com has a kit that replaces the spider gears w/o removing the whole carrier.
I saw on the web that powertrax.com has a kit that replaces the spider gears w/o removing the whole carrier.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
you have many options with limited slip or locking diffs.
Your budget maybe the limiting factor.
Some L/S units have clutches that wear out over time, and use a L/S specific gear oil.
True locking units are mechanical and do not use "clutches", these tend to be the choice of offroaders.
As far as installation goes, I would take the truck in to a garage that does this swap often. The installers have so much knowlege of setting up the gears, they can get it shimmed on the first crack.
Improper set up will cause premature wear and possible gear failure.
Pay the extra dollars and let the experts install your L/S unit.
Talk to these garages and let them show you the different types of diffs out there.
Detriot locker, true trac, arb air locker, OX, and quick loc to name a few.
Your budget maybe the limiting factor.
Some L/S units have clutches that wear out over time, and use a L/S specific gear oil.
True locking units are mechanical and do not use "clutches", these tend to be the choice of offroaders.
As far as installation goes, I would take the truck in to a garage that does this swap often. The installers have so much knowlege of setting up the gears, they can get it shimmed on the first crack.
Improper set up will cause premature wear and possible gear failure.
Pay the extra dollars and let the experts install your L/S unit.
Talk to these garages and let them show you the different types of diffs out there.
Detriot locker, true trac, arb air locker, OX, and quick loc to name a few.
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