3.45 to 3.73 Axle Swap for Towing — Worth It on a '93 Splash?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If you have a UPAP near you, they are dirt cheap for different, or at least used to be. I think I was paying like $60-80 for them. Would have been stripping them more often if they were cheap to ship.

They aren’t that cheap anymore, the Pittsburgh one is about $150 an axle now

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

They aren’t that cheap anymore, the Pittsburgh one is about $150 an axle now

Eh. Still cheaper than buying a set of gears and messing up three pinion seals.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Eh. Still cheaper than buying a set of gears and messing up three pinion seals.

True story

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

I found an '11 FX4, 8.8" rear with a 3.73 trackloc (I think that's what it's called) and disc brakes. They wanted $675 for it. Didn't last a week on the site before it disappeared. I was bummed. It had 175k on it. I also didn't have $675 to take it home. All shopping is window shopping when the wallet has a boot on it.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I found an '11 FX4, 8.8" rear with a 3.73 trackloc (I think that's what it's called) and disc brakes. They wanted $675 for it. Didn't last a week on the site before it disappeared. I was bummed. It had 175k on it. I also didn't have $675 to take it home. All shopping is window shopping when the wallet has a boot on it.

As far as I remember, fx4 and level 2 ended in 2009... irrespective, I shoved a 8.8 limited slip carrier in my rear axle and a mustang track lock clutch pack. Hooks up ok. Torsen, auburn, or eaton would be better. 10 and 11 trucks have really ageessive traction control as well that messes with the rear brakes and often prevents the limited slip from working properly.

I did have a lunchbox locker at one point, but it broke from normal street driving. Plus they're a pain in the ass to drive on pavement.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

As far as I remember, fx4 and level 2 ended in 2009... irrespective, I shoved a 8.8 limited slip carrier in my rear axle and a mustang track lock clutch pack. Hooks up ok. Torsen, auburn, or eaton would be better. 10 and 11 trucks have really ageessive traction control as well that messes with the rear brakes and often prevents the limited slip from working properly.

I did have a lunchbox locker at one point, but it broke from normal street driving. Plus they're a pain in the ass to drive on pavement.

It's possible it did. I was going by car-part and my limited knowledge of Rangers outside of my own. I have thought of going 8.8, just because I didn't want a ton of heat back there if I needed to tow something. I also wanted to get away from open diff.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

It's possible it did. I was going by car-part and my limited knowledge of Rangers outside of my own. I have thought of going 8.8, just because I didn't want a ton of heat back there if I needed to tow something. I also wanted to get away from open diff.

Mustang aluminum diff cover bolts right up on a 8.8 and gives you a good heat sink.

I'd recommend getting away from open diff on anything except a luxury car. They do ride nice but are utterly useless for anything except comfort.





Sometimes comfort is nice.

I drive a ranger. I wouldn't know.

 

[pjtoledo]

I found an '11 FX4, 8.8" rear with a 3.73 trackloc (I think that's what it's called) and disc brakes. They wanted $675 for it. Didn't last a week on the site before it disappeared. I was bummed. It had 175k on it. I also didn't have $675 to take it home. All shopping is window shopping when the wallet has a boot on it.

stay away from that one. it is not a good swap for a street truck.
8.8 yes, but it's only 28 splines and has the big bearings.
no sensor on the diff.
however,,, if you want big rear disk brakes it's good for that at 11.65" vented.
but,,, they don't cross over to anything else.

 

[SenorNoob]

however,,, if you want big rear disk brakes it's good for that at 11.65" vented.
but,,, they don't cross over to anything else.

I did some digging awhile back. It kinda looked like you could swap that break assembly onto 95+ Explorer axle. I considered trying to find the appropriate parts a few minutes before deciding that my truck locks up fast enough as is.