Rear end question.
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Rear end question.
let me first state that I know nothing about rear ends. i have an 1989 f250 with a 460 2wd. I think my trans is a 3 spd, no overdrive. The trans code is 'K'.
My axle code is 39. My question is, how would i go about getting a LSD put in, is that even the best route. My truck gets stuck in spit. I really would like posi, or limited slip. the pumpkin has a 12 bolt cover with no drain plug. Th axles are 8 lug. I am the second owner, and to my knowledge no mods have been done prior. please help. all responses are greatly appreciated.
My axle code is 39. My question is, how would i go about getting a LSD put in, is that even the best route. My truck gets stuck in spit. I really would like posi, or limited slip. the pumpkin has a 12 bolt cover with no drain plug. Th axles are 8 lug. I am the second owner, and to my knowledge no mods have been done prior. please help. all responses are greatly appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
Have you looked at your axle tag? I wonder if your local Ford dealer could help you determine what rearend you have. I don't know anything about F250 axles.
I preach Powertrax No Slip lockers. My truck has absolutely no problem going through stuff normal 2WD's try to get stuck in. Actually, I haven't had the chance to see what my truck's limits are yet. So far mud hasn't been a problem at all.
It's also quiet (I don't even notice it) and only disengages when you make a turn. I think it cost as much as a LSD. So IMHO it's the better choice. Other people will try to debate me on this, but it's been my personal experience and observation (my dad uses it too) it's a great locker.
Ps. This is an after thought.. I think one of the posters on here said Powertrax doesn't make a locker for Super Duty axles. Does anyone know if Detroit does?
I preach Powertrax No Slip lockers. My truck has absolutely no problem going through stuff normal 2WD's try to get stuck in. Actually, I haven't had the chance to see what my truck's limits are yet. So far mud hasn't been a problem at all.
It's also quiet (I don't even notice it) and only disengages when you make a turn. I think it cost as much as a LSD. So IMHO it's the better choice. Other people will try to debate me on this, but it's been my personal experience and observation (my dad uses it too) it's a great locker.
Ps. This is an after thought.. I think one of the posters on here said Powertrax doesn't make a locker for Super Duty axles. Does anyone know if Detroit does?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 679
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From: Vancouver B.C.
You should have a sterling 10.25 in your truck and it might be a L/S allready.. the sterling 10.25 L/S is not very good at all and with my truck with a L/S I still do the one wheel peel!. Might be a good idea to see if you allready have a L/S in there... If you do it can be rebuilt easly and for prety cheap, less than a houndred bucks in parts, but from what I've read they dont last too long before the clutches burn out.
You can get a better L/S but there not cheap and it will require your carrier assay to be removed... beter done by a pro if you havent rebuilt a diif before.
6CylBill is rite the power trax lockers are real good from what I've read. There cheap for a locker and cheaper than installing a new L/S carrier assay, and as I understand them you dont have to remove the carrier only the cover and axles... but some have said they are a bit of a beast to drive in snow or slippery conditions on the road or hwy...
You can get a better L/S but there not cheap and it will require your carrier assay to be removed... beter done by a pro if you havent rebuilt a diif before.
6CylBill is rite the power trax lockers are real good from what I've read. There cheap for a locker and cheaper than installing a new L/S carrier assay, and as I understand them you dont have to remove the carrier only the cover and axles... but some have said they are a bit of a beast to drive in snow or slippery conditions on the road or hwy...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
39 = 3.55-1 / non Limited Slip / 6250 lb. Rear Axle Capacity / FX250 = 8500 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.
1989: There were two rear axles available.
The F250 HD's came with the Sterling 10.25, the Light Duty's (Ford never called them that in brochures, or on the truck itself, but that's what they were) came with the Ford 8.8.
The rear brakes are the same for both, as are the wheels. The "Light Duty" F250's were available with the 8.8 from 1983 thru 1989.
Beginning in 1959:
If the AXLE code begins with a letter, it has Limited Slip
If the AXLE code begins with a number, no Limited Slip.
This applies to all Ford trucks and cars.
Limited slip was first offered as an option in 1959.
Axle/Trans decoded from the 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
You should have a sterling 10.25 in your truck and it might be a L/S allready.. the sterling 10.25 L/S is not very good at all and with my truck with a L/S I still do the one wheel peel!. Might be a good idea to see if you allready have a L/S in there... If you do it can be rebuilt easly and for prety cheap, less than a houndred bucks in parts, but from what I've read they dont last too long before the clutches burn out.
You can get a better L/S but there not cheap and it will require your carrier assay to be removed... beter done by a pro if you havent rebuilt a diif before.
6CylBill is rite the power trax lockers are real good from what I've read. There cheap for a locker and cheaper than installing a new L/S carrier assay, and as I understand them you dont have to remove the carrier only the cover and axles... but some have said they are a bit of a beast to drive in snow or slippery conditions on the road or hwy...
You can get a better L/S but there not cheap and it will require your carrier assay to be removed... beter done by a pro if you havent rebuilt a diif before.
6CylBill is rite the power trax lockers are real good from what I've read. There cheap for a locker and cheaper than installing a new L/S carrier assay, and as I understand them you dont have to remove the carrier only the cover and axles... but some have said they are a bit of a beast to drive in snow or slippery conditions on the road or hwy...
Got through a nasty mud pit today. <3 my locker. Get one!
K = C6.
39 = 3.55-1 / non Limited Slip / 6250 lb. Rear Axle Capacity / FX250 = 8500 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.
1989: There were two rear axles available.
The F250 HD's came with the Sterling 10.25, the Light Duty's (Ford never called them that in brochures, or on the truck itself, but that's what they were) came with the Ford 8.8.
The rear brakes are the same for both, as are the wheels. The "Light Duty" F250's were available with the 8.8 from 1983 thru 1989.
Beginning in 1959:
If the AXLE code begins with a letter, it has Limited Slip
If the AXLE code begins with a number, no Limited Slip.
This applies to all Ford trucks and cars.
Limited slip was first offered as an option in 1959.
Axle/Trans decoded from the 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.
39 = 3.55-1 / non Limited Slip / 6250 lb. Rear Axle Capacity / FX250 = 8500 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.
1989: There were two rear axles available.
The F250 HD's came with the Sterling 10.25, the Light Duty's (Ford never called them that in brochures, or on the truck itself, but that's what they were) came with the Ford 8.8.
The rear brakes are the same for both, as are the wheels. The "Light Duty" F250's were available with the 8.8 from 1983 thru 1989.
Beginning in 1959:
If the AXLE code begins with a letter, it has Limited Slip
If the AXLE code begins with a number, no Limited Slip.
This applies to all Ford trucks and cars.
Limited slip was first offered as an option in 1959.
Axle/Trans decoded from the 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12
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It should have the sterling rear, there were 2 versions available for LD and HD. The HD was a full float, the LD was Semi-float. The factory LSD is fine for normal use, but it has a clutch pack that wears out and reverts to an open if heavily used. Cheapest route is to find a good used rear and swap it, it will cost 1200-1800 to have the rear rebuilt with a good LSD.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
It should have the sterling rear, there were 2 versions available for LD and HD. The HD was a full float, the LD was Semi-float. The factory LSD is fine for normal use, but it has a clutch pack that wears out and reverts to an open if heavily used. Cheapest route is to find a good used rear and swap it, it will cost 1200-1800 to have the rear rebuilt with a good LSD.
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New User
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By "rear" I mean the complete assembly, if you're going to pull out the carrier to swap it, it makes no sense to not replace bearings and seals. You can go cheaper, but I like to do things right.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
Doing things right IS often cheaper and safer in the long run.
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swapping out the rear end is a possibility, haven't really considered that. I was leaning more to a LSD because I heard from a mechanic that a locker can be pretty violent when it engages. I looked up the powertrax system, but I could not find a price. My truck is a daily driver, I work construction and the job sites are almost always unpaved, and if it rains- mud. It don't plan on doing any offroading since I don't have 4wd. I just want to know that if I get into a little mud on the jobsite, i should be able to get out. I do pull a 35 camper trailer, so I want something that is realiable. If I don't go with the rear end swap should I look into the powertrax more seriously? My truck only has 109,000 miles and I have never had anything go wrong. Would I be taking chances swapping out rear ends. thanks for the help guys!
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