• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Torson diff lock


sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Torsen is 31 spline
They make 28 spline models for the 8.8. Though, most Torsens were installed in FX4 Rangers and a lot of FX4 Rangers, if not all had 31 spline axles.
 


fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,991
Reaction score
2,793
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
I don't think Ford put any 28 spline Torsens in from the factory on Rangers, did they?
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I don't think Ford put any 28 spline Torsens in from the factory on Rangers, did they?
From the factory, I don't know. I think they got Traction Lock, if it was even available in a non FX4.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
The axle is just different enough that you have to be careful what you get for it. The differential itself is pretty much same same with any other 28 spline axle aside from the bearings.

The brakes are pretty much unique to the Ranger from what I’ve seen. The Explorer Sport is close but the rotors are non vented. I haven’t seen the brakes on a regular Explorer to say if they are the same or not. It’s possible they have the same rear disc brakes.
You'd think I'd compare them with the 1999 explorer axle I have, but, no. I haven't.

Torsen is 31 spline
They make 28 spline models for the 8.8. Though, most Torsens were installed in FX4 Rangers and a lot of FX4 Rangers, if not all had 31 spline axles.
They make two... don't know the difference other than $100 or so.

From the factory, I don't know. I think they got Traction Lock, if it was even available in a non FX4.
FX4 got a regular traction lock, L2 got the fancy axle.
 

rubydist

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
987
Reaction score
835
Points
93
Location
Denver
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Ford Ranger FX4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
The factory Torsen rear end in Ranger were all 31 spline and large bearings.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
You'd think I'd compare them with the 1999 explorer axle I have, but, no. I haven't.





They make two... don't know the difference other than $100 or so.


FX4 got a regular traction lock, L2 got the fancy axle.
That clears that up and it makes sense.
 

Basilius

Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2019
Messages
84
Reaction score
23
Points
8
Location
USA
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I recently picked up a Torsen rear axle at a salvage yard from a 2004 FX4 level 2 Ranger. I believe that the Torsen rear ends have 3.25" diameter axle tubes while the non-Torsen rear ends have 2.75" diameter axle tubes. Here are some pictures of the insides of the Torsen differential if it helps, and a link for the correct size wheel bearings and seals to use if you want to replace them.
Yukon Gear AK 1559 Axle Bearing & Seal Kit
 

Attachments

Last edited:

Ranger Dolly

New Member
Firefighter
Joined
Jan 9, 2022
Messages
15
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
NB Canada
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Ford ranger fx4
Transmission
Automatic
Thanks for the detailed info and photos
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
The 31 spline axles in the FX4 Level 2 Rangers do indeed have bigger axle tubes than the 28 spline models. The exception is the axles in the 2010 and 2011 Rangers. Those 28 spline axles have the bigger tube like the 31 spline axles. The execution is a little different though. I think more due to the change to disc brakes than anything else.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top