Adding spider gears/clutches to open diff carrier?

[venuspie1]

I have two 8.8's. One has the factory trac lok and the other is open. The carriers look identical except the open one is missing the spider gears and clutches. Are they the same carrier? Could I install the spider gears/clutch pack etc into an open carrier?

Long story short, I have a 8.8 trac lok with 3.73 in the truck now but it is roaring/whining bad. I have an open 8.8 with 3.55 that I can install but want to add trac lok without messing with the gear set. I could switch carriers but I''m afraid it may start whining because of alignment issues.

 

[venuspie1]

After researching a little more, it seems that the open carrier does not have the notches cut in it for the Ears(tabs) of the clutches to rest in. So I don't think you can swap spider gears between the two.

I wonder if I could swap entire carrier without causing whining with the gear set? Just swap ring gears.

 

[sgtsandman]

The pinion gear and the ring gear are a matched set. You can’t mix and match parts from different gear ratios.

 

[venuspie1]

I realize that. I was talking about removing the ring gear from the open carrier and put it on the LSD carrier and reinstall into the same rear. Just wanting to add LSD, not change ratios.

Just looking for a way to add the factory trac lok without having to reset gear clearances

 

[sgtsandman]

You will still need check the settings because of the change in carriers. You might get lucky and not need to do a thing but because of tolerance stacking, you’ll need to check tooth engagement and lash.

 

[venuspie1]

The more I read, the more I see you are right. I guess I will learn how to set backlash.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Add some extra shims to the side gears. It will act like a lsd. Ive done this to a 9" and a d28 with good results. There is a chance that things will go bang, but not so far to me.

 

[don4331]

Whining gears are caused by a meshing issue.

So, OP already has an issue that needs to be address - might be as simple as poorly cut gears to begin with, or the existing bearings might be going. Either way, the OP needs to see where he currently is and determine next step from there.

Putting the existing 3.73 ring gear on the limited slip carrier would seem like sensible thing to do if he finds he's going to have to pull the carrier and/or pinion anyways.

 

[Roert42]

I just finished rebuilding the 8.8 in my F150, changed gears and added posi.

https://www.themotorbookstore.com/ford-differentials.html this book is really in depth and has lots of good info on rebuilding 8.8" and 9" ford axles.