Hey folks,

I'm new here, and could use a bit of advice. I am considering swapping out the rear axle on my van, [disc brakes] for a limited slip one with a 4:10 gear ratio. Currently it is a standard axle with a 3:73 ratio. I know the axle is a Dana, but I'm not sure which one... The axle tag says, 3 73 V-2024 GB.

Do I need to find a complete new axle, or can I just swap out the required parts to make the transformation?

Thanks!

 

A 3.73 carrier is too small for 4.10 gears, unless you can locate the ones referred to as thick gears, and a gear swap is usually far more costly than swapping out the entire axle. I've been considering the same swap, you can use the axle from econoline vans only, from 92+, yet many have drum brakes, I believe it's possible to swap those with your disc hardware in your current one tho.
You should be fine with your current arrangement, why would you consider lower, I have 3.50, in a 15 passenger, that's the reason I'm looking to do the swap.

 

I would like to have the additional traction of a posi rear end, and the additional towing capacity. The 4:10 ratio will allow up to 10,000 lbs according to my owners manual.

Thanks

 

If you are going to that much trouble... how close to you to just buy a dedicated truck for the towing jobs?

What size engine is on yours?

 

My engine is the 6.8L V-10. Lots of power.

 

You don't need the 4.1 unless you are in hilly country and doing this all the time.

 

Hauling a 10,000 lb boat and trailer several time a year, and up a boat ramp without a posi rear end, will be difficult at best. If I decide to change to a posi, I might as well go with a 4:10 gear as well.

 

Then you accept the fuel penalty the rest of the time...

 

That goes without saying... :-)

Can I replace the parts within the axle, [carrier and all] or do I need to replace the entire axle as someone else stated?

Thanks

 

You can buy another axle with the gear you want far less than regearing it, you can believe that, I've read about guys doing just that with brand new vans, installing brand new complete axle assemblies.
Limited slip is not necessary, unless you enjoy going sideways, the weight of the van will keep the tire planted for traction, less is more too, if you throttle too much on a ramp, you increase that issue with lower gears.

 

One of the not so nice things in life is that it is technically possible to program the Antilock disk brakes to act as a posilock (by braking on the spinning wheel).

In fact, this kind of traction control is childs play to implement in software IF your vehicle is equipped with individual (not both wheel) rear wheel speed sensors.

However, FORD has seen fit not to implement this feature on the trucks.

 

Boy... that would sure be an easy fix! Things that make you go Hmmmm....

When I was under the van the other day looking at the axle, I did notice an electrical connection on top of the axle housing, but none near the wheels. I wonder how the ABS works? Does it not have independent sensors to control skidding?

 

If I am not mistaken, what you saw on top of the pumpkin is the ABS sensor for both rear wheels.

There are individual sensors for the Front wheels.


Ford basically put in a fairly cheap ABS.

What it does is to detect differences in speed between the 2 rear wheels and the 2 front wheels when brakes are applied, and if there is a big difference (i.e. Front wheel show zero speed, but rear show moving) between them, the presumption is that the front wheels are slipping and ABS is applied to pulse the front wheels as needed.


Now, if you think of what traction control is, on a 2 wheel rear drive system, it basically involves detecting slipping of either one or both rear (driven) wheels by calculating the difference in speed between them and the front wheels (not driven).

Then, program for a back off of throttle, and also application of one or both rear brakes to stop the wheel spinning.


All courtesy of software.

 

The VSS or speed sensor is in the rear axle, that is what your speedometer reads from, unplug it and see that you won't have a speed-o.

 

Am I correct that is also the device that supply the ABS data?