Hi Guys,

I have a 95 E150 "Big" V8 with an auto tranny. I use it as a tow rig once in a while (with a dual axle car trailer) and a very annoying problem is lack of traction. Here in Seattle it rains a lot and we have sizeable hills. Between the trailor and the car on it, I am towing 3000-6000lbs. When it is wet out, even the sligntest up-hills cause one wheel to spin, lose all traction and put me in a messy situation with traffic honking behind. I nearly got stuck that way once.

Obviously, with a van, the rear end is light, and doing a 4WD conversion would be unrealistic. What I am thinking is that there has got to be an LSD kit around for this thing. Having the rear diff lock would provide a hell of a lot more traction - I would estimate more than double! Are these around? How much do they cost? How hard are they to install?

 

I'm assuming you have the 8.8 inch axle (which has a bolt-on cover on the back) as opposed to the old Ford 9 incher (diff comes out the front, no cover on the back).

I had an Eaton posi installed in my 2002 E150, 8.8" axle, 31 splines, circa 2003. It was more expensive than the Ford Trac Loc differential, but has a more pronounced lock. I've been through a lot of snow, mud, and other situations with it, and am glad to have it. (I had an Auburn limited slip on an old '86 GMC van that was smoother--the Eaton will occasionally chatter around a wet corner), but didn't lock up as well.

I recall that I paid around $400 for the Eaton unit, plus $150ish for install labor. They might be a bit more expensive these days. You definitely want the unit set up by someone who does a lot of rear axle work--on race car and truck applications, so the result ends up strong and long-lasting.

There are a number of different units available for the 8.8" unit as well as the 9", so choose one, and go for it. Here's a place that sells most all the units, and lists their desirability in different types of use:

Reider Racing - Gears & Rears We carry high performance ring &

Like I said, I got the Eaton. Stock Ford would be the Traction Lok. Anything that is a true "locker" is not what you'd want for towing--too abrupt for the most part, and you can see the low scores for towing. The Truetrac is also a nice unit.

George

 

Awesome! This is exactly what I wanted! They have a number of push-button systems that I think would work great. Only time that I need the diff locked is if chugging up-hill or pulling something in the grass/dirt.

 

I think those cost a big pile of money, although I may be wrong on that. I'd go with a basic limited slip that is just there whenever you need it. Just checked and the Electrac, which looks really cool, is like $864; the Eaton E-locker is $800ish. I know the basic Eaton posi like I have is probably now around $450, and the Ford Trac Lok is under $300, so check the prices before you decide which one you *really* like best. When I got my Eaton, the gear shop had a "deal" on them so they were only about $50 more than the Ford unit.

George

 

Yea, they had no prices on their website... $800 would be a bit much... I will check into it before I buy for sure!