Locking Differential
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,807
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From: The Woodlands, TX
Locking Differential
Hey guys,
Right now I have an open differential and I get into quite a bit of trouble during the winter. I was wondering what locking differentials are out there that would help me combat this problem. I do a fair bit of off roading but usually dont have many problems as it is usually just on a ranch or something. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
Right now I have an open differential and I get into quite a bit of trouble during the winter. I was wondering what locking differentials are out there that would help me combat this problem. I do a fair bit of off roading but usually dont have many problems as it is usually just on a ranch or something. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Mirror, Alberta
Originally Posted by jstnromero
Hey guys,
Right now I have an open differential and I get into quite a bit of trouble during the winter. I was wondering what locking differentials are out there that would help me combat this problem. I do a fair bit of off roading but usually dont have many problems as it is usually just on a ranch or something. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
Right now I have an open differential and I get into quite a bit of trouble during the winter. I was wondering what locking differentials are out there that would help me combat this problem. I do a fair bit of off roading but usually dont have many problems as it is usually just on a ranch or something. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
Certainly Auburn also is a source for top quality gears.
The more I look into this the more that I feel that what the average off-roader wants is a top quality limited slip ( which the factory one is not).
The bottom line is to find a top rated gear supplier and listen to what they have to say. They want repeat business and therefore going to recommend what is best for you.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bigdavewilson
I was talking to a gear shop a couple of weeks ago. Their main thing is Detroit rear gears and I was looking at a Detroit limited slip. The cost of the gears and carrier was about 900 bucks. However, when I asked for an installed price it came out at $3000. The service tech said that it is not unusual to find that all the bearings need to be replaced. If the axles show problems they usually take about a week to get and cost another $500.
Certainly Auburn also is a source for top quality gears.
The more I look into this the more that I feel that what the average off-roader wants is a top quality limited slip ( which the factory one is not).
The bottom line is to find a top rated gear supplier and listen to what they have to say. They want repeat business and therefore going to recommend what is best for you.
Certainly Auburn also is a source for top quality gears.
The more I look into this the more that I feel that what the average off-roader wants is a top quality limited slip ( which the factory one is not).
The bottom line is to find a top rated gear supplier and listen to what they have to say. They want repeat business and therefore going to recommend what is best for you.
3,000?? Whoa.. I don't think that is what the poster was looking for. I know exactly what he is talking about as my SCREW was an open carrier and I would have to switch to 4wd for the dumbest of situations. What I did was buy an OEM type limited slip off of ebay I think.. and had an offroad shop install it. Can't remember exactly but the grand total was way less than 500! My only regret is I should have got a Detroit true trac and I think its priced in the high $400s and intallation costed me 120. So what I'm saying is if you go with a name brand limited slip then the total cost shouldn't exceed 600. Just my two brown brothers!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
Originally Posted by bigdavewilson
The service tech said that it is not unusual to find that all the bearings need to be replaced.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Honkytonkville
That quote given was with new gears axles bearings and a partridge in a pear tree. Just a locker won't be near that much.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
"I was talking to a gear shop a couple of weeks ago. Their main thing is Detroit rear gears and I was looking at a Detroit limited slip. The cost of the gears and carrier was about 900 bucks. However, when I asked for an installed price it came out at $3000. The service tech said that it is not unusual to find that all the bearings need to be replaced."
You can buy the gears ($170.00), detroit locker ($648.00) and master brg kit ($81.00) total - $899.00
$2100.00 in labor? So at a shop rate of $65.00 an hour it will take them 32+ hours to install a set of gears with the locker - you need to find another shop.
Even a bad shop should be able to do this in 6-8 hours or less!
You can buy the gears ($170.00), detroit locker ($648.00) and master brg kit ($81.00) total - $899.00
$2100.00 in labor? So at a shop rate of $65.00 an hour it will take them 32+ hours to install a set of gears with the locker - you need to find another shop.
Even a bad shop should be able to do this in 6-8 hours or less!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
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I had a 94 mustang befor my truck and i installed a set of 3.73s myself not to hard had some good directions. i got the gears and a rearend rebuild kit i was able to do everything myself except i need to get the new bearings pressed on at a shop(which my brother use to work for so they did it for free) i did it in a weekend never had a problem with them im thinking about getting myself a locking also and will be doing it myself again