Differential Choices

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Apr 17, 2008 | 09:12 PM

V10E350

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Differential Choices

I want to put a better differential in the front of my 4x4 van. It has a Ford Dana 60 in it from Quigley. They recommend E-Locker and even gave me the part number. Or if I used a Detroit Locker, the undesirable characteristics would be isolated when the hubs are unlocked, right? I hear about people using a Detroit Locker in the rear of 2WD trucks for a couple hundred thousand miles. Do I want to keep a LS differential in the back? Currently the rear has a 410 Limited Slip. Do I want LS all around? What is the best combination of differentials for the widest variety of driving?

Thx.

Apr 17, 2008 | 11:02 PM

fdude64

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From: dayton ohio

dana 44 front axle decode?

i have a dana 44 front axle 3.55 gear out of a 79 f150 sc. can anyone tell me if it is a limited slip or what the tag numbers are as follows

3.50 D8TA AAE
610048-1

Apr 18, 2008 | 04:55 PM

rebocardo

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From: Atlanta GA

> Or if I used a Detroit Locker, the undesirable characteristics would be isolated
> when the hubs are unlocked, right?

Sort of, but, using it that way at highway speeds would not be good.

> Do I want to keep a LS differential in the back?

Open with a selectable locker or a L/S selectable locker.

> Currently the rear has a 410 Limited Slip. Do I want LS all around? W

Selectable lockers all around if you can afford it, especially in ice and snow.

I would use the E-Locker or ARB so you could switch the front locking diff. out for most of your off road and on-road (snow, ice, boat ramp) driving.

Apr 19, 2008 | 09:50 PM

kdy72601

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go with arb air lockers that way youi have locker when you need them and none of the the undesirable characteristics when you dont need them.

Apr 19, 2008 | 11:23 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebocardo

> Or if I used a Detroit Locker, the undesirable characteristics would be isolated
> when the hubs are unlocked, right?

Sort of, but, using it that way at highway speeds would not be good.

What do you mean by this? If the hubs are unlocked, the entire front drivetrain is out of the equation, and that is usually the recommend mode for highway travel.

Apr 22, 2008 | 07:31 AM

rebocardo

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From: Atlanta GA

I was referring to an e-mail about leaving just one hub engaged using a locker when you want or need 4x4 in winter using a van. Usually the driver's side since the ice and shoulder are on the pass. side.

If you have a detroit locker in front, engage the driver's side hub, put it in 2x4 and go for a drive and tell me how the steering feels at 55 mph. Even worse for a 4x4 van.

Mar 8, 2015 | 01:04 AM

350SDXLT2015

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Need help picking differential

I have a 2015 F350 SRW 6.2L gas, 4x4, manual hubs, 4wd shifter on the floor with no ESOF (Electronic Shift On the Fly) option. The differentials are open style.

I want to add either a limit slip or locking differential to either both front and back or just back. From reading on the topic it seems there are multiple options, but I am struggling determining what is best for me.

My situation:
90% of the time I am driving on dry pavement (which makes the open diff just fine). The other 10% of the time I am not doing any aggressive off-roading, however even if I am off road or in the snow I want to ensure I am in a position to have the most traction available.

My goal is to find the most reliable / flexible option available. For example, ideally (if it exists) I am thinking a high quality locking / limit slip / open diff all in one that can be set to the desired option. I will not beat/abuse this vehicle so I want it to last the life of the truck as the stock diff. should.

Questions:

If I have the locking option is there any value in having limit slip? I read several posts about front locking being a bad thing when turning in the snow due to vehicle not responding as expected, which I understand. For this reason it seems the selectable limit slip option would be best in front. Feedback?

I see so many options (i.e. ARB, Eaton G80, TruTrac, etc.). Any recommendations for my situation?

I have seen aftermarket diff. gear installations in the past where the gears would whine. I understand some (or maybe all) of this could be the fault of the installer not setting the bearing preload / gear backlash, etc. correctly. I would want the new diffs. to be no noisier than the existing stock (which are quiet). Is that a realistic expectation? Any experience between aftermarket diff. options on which one is the quietest?

Will a new diff. have a potential impact on the vehicle's existing traction control system? I am more concerned with the system triggering a "check engine light" if it detects a condition that is abnormal to what the stock vehicle would see.

By converting to a new diff. what components are impacted? What stock components would / could be reused?

I read a post where someone said if you have an open diff and the tire with less traction is spinning, applying the brake (in moderation) will sort of act like a limit slip and help deliver more power to the wheel with traction. Does this sound accurate?

Is it justified to modify both front and rear diffs? What about something different between back and front? Maybe limit slip in front and locking in rear? Again I want the option to switch each back to an open diff style for dry pavement driving conditions?

What is the best way to search for/find a "true" professional that could perform the installation? Would the manufacturer's of the aftermarket diff's be able to suggest the "right" person?

Thanks