Diff Lock

[mdmarble]

I've been considering keeping my 02 Ranger 2WD. I'm thinking of putting in a 3" spindle lift from fabteck, and a 2" add a leaf in the rear with some 30 or 31" BFG All terrains. So without 4WD, I figure on putting in a locker and getting some of the traciton I need.

Is there an after market diff lock that you can mannually turn on and off? My buddies tacoma has a diff lock that he can turn on and off by a switch up in the cab. About how much do these run also.

I have an 02 Ranger 2WD, 3.0 atomatic.
-Mike

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

There is a solution to allow you selectable control over the rear axle... if you don't mind a lil fab work...

The solution that involves fab work is to rig up a way of controlling each rear brake independently, either through special valving for the hydro, or by the simple act of e-brake cables. When you start spinning one tire, you just add some braking force to that tire to force the other tire to turn.

I make that suggestion because selectable lockers are typically pricey... more so than regular lockers, which are more expensive than lunchbox lockers...

 

[98ranger4x4]

ARB makes air lockers that you can manually engageand i believe there area a couple others too, check the tech library. manual lockers are really expensive though.

 

[Mac]

I'd just go with something like a PowerTrax for under $400. No problem with a DD.. Serious with off-roading is going to cost you to what you want.
Dave

 

[bentwillowcustoms]

arb is around $650 with compressor and the ox is close to the same e-lockers are a little more, the good ol detroit for $400 is your best bet, or just weld it and tell people those are mexicans screaming in the bed of your truck.

 

[Hondafreak08]

not to hyjack a thread,, but what exactly is a lunchbox locker?

 

[BlackBII]

not to hyjack a thread,, but what exactly is a lunchbox locker?

It is a locker that installs into the OE carrier, replacing the spider gears, they are the cheapest and easiest to install. In most applications, they do amazingly well for most people. These include the Lockrite, EZ locker, No Slip, Aussie etc.. A full locker replaces the entire carrier, like a Detroit.

Lock-Rite

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

not to hyjack a thread,, but what exactly is a lunchbox locker?

Any one of the lockers that can be (theoretically) installed on your lunch hour.

These are the ones like Lock-Right, PowerTrax, etc (Detroit and Aussie make 'em too)

All you do is open the diff cover, slide out the pin, turn the diff to walk the spyder gears out, pop out the side gears (after removing the C-clips), then insert the pieces of the locker, slide the pin back in the middle of the mess, put the diff cover back on, and fill with fluid.

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

arb is around $650 with compressor

Where on earth did you find an ARB and a compressor for $650?

 

[mdmarble]

I have not been able to find any websites of companies that make diff lockers. Does any body know a website of a company that makes them.

ex. For a fabtech liftkit, fabtech.com has all their lift kits on their website.
For a detroit locker, I can not find a detroit.com or something like it. Anything I've found has been off another website, and very very vauge information as to what they offer.

Any one with any help?

 

[BlackBII]

http://reiderracing.com/differentials.htm

Go there, On the left it lists a lot of lockers and L/S's....

 

[mdmarble]

http://reiderracing.com/differentials.htm

Go there, On the left it lists a lot of lockers and L/S's....

Thanks a lot.

I've got a couple questions.
1.) My truck is just a DD. I'm thinking of a 3" Fabtech Lift Spindle, 30 or 31" tires and getting a locker. With a locker and all terrain tires I wont have to be so worrysome about getting in the mud or doing a more challenging trail. What locker do you guys prefer. Idealy I'd like a manual ARB or something, but thats a little too expensive. Which of the automatic lockers do you guys like the most.
2.) My LS isnt that great. I know that after a while, especially with hard driving, LS will tend to wear out overtime; kicking in after a longer time. Does this sort of thing happen with automatic lockers. From what I've read tonight and understand, and automatic locker is locked in a straight line. In a turn, the inside wheel gets the power, letting the outside wheel spin freely. Once the inside wheel looses traction, the two lock up and spin together, both getting the same amount of power. Is this correct, and do they wear out overtime.
3.) Which is the best automatic for my dollar. I'd rather spend more money on a locker that will last longer than one that will wear out in a short period of time.
4.) I'll get bigger tires when I do everything, and will probably re-gear to compensate with fuel mileage. Do lockers work with any gear setting, or are they specific to certain gears?
5.) Most of all, what differential do I have on my truck? I have a completely stock 02 Ranger, 3.0 2WD XLT. I'm guessing a Ford 8.8 with 3.43 gears, but I'm not sure.

Thanks guys. I'm only 16. I'm still really new to all this stuff about trucks, but I'm loving it. Learning is pretty fun. I appreciate any past experience, knowledge and help.

-Mike

 

[Hahnsb2]

Your truck probably has a 7.5. No selectable lockers are made for it and no lunchbox lockers are made for 7.5 LS carriers. Powertrax (makers of the Lock-right and no-slip) and Aussie make the best lunchbox lockers IMHO. If you do have an 8.8 I'd recommend the no-slip, they are made to fit in the LS carrier and are supposed to be smoother than a lock-right (I DD with my Lock-right and have no complaints).

 

[nidf88]

check the "trs fab and offroad" link in the top of this page for some lockers, including the lockrite lunchbox locker for a stock open 7.5 (not limited slip). 8.8 rears have many more option if you have one (or swap one)

 

[4x4junkie]

5.) Most of all, what differential do I have on my truck? I have a completely stock 02 Ranger, 3.0 2WD XLT. I'm guessing a Ford 8.8 with 3.43 gears, but I'm not sure.

Check here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html