diff questions.

[rangers92]

im very known for asking lots of questions and im trying to finaly get a lock on what i want to do. i have a few more questions i would like vertran people to answer.
so about a month ago i picked up a ford trac lok 7.5 carrier. i do belive it is used and would need a clutch rebuild here is my question. should i
A. rebuild my 7.5 trac lok(keep in mind im short on money and am only making a 2wd trail rig.
B. find a used 8.8 and swap that in.(i have searched every were to no avail).
C. weld my current 7.5 open diff and sell the 7.5 lsd diff to but new axel shafts and ring and pionons
or
D. but a powertrax or some sort of locking diff.

i understand that a 8.8 and locker upgrade would be the eastest but im low on cash and am more focused towards the welding my diff or rebuilding my trac lok. any info or answers would help

 

[rednine4]

If it's truly a 2wd drive trail rig, I would just weld it. If you plan to use it on the street... I would think harder before welding it.

 

[rangers92]

it will be a 2wd drive trail rig and a daily driver. i was thinking about welding it to i know what side effects you get with the addition of a welded diff but i also have a used 7.5 trac lok sitting in my room just need rebuilt with extra clutch packs to .

 

[06RangerXLT]

well id go the 8.8 LS route. what i did. you will grenade your 7.5 with anything more then mild offroad.

If your tight on cash, dont offroad. you cant afford to fix it if it breaks. blow a spindle and ball joint out, your out a couple hundred. not worth the risk.

if i were you, id focus less on upgrading your truck, and more on getting some cash so your not "tight on cash". budget... just cus you have $400 dollars doesnt mean you go find something you like for $400. your gonna have the truck for a long time, and its not worth dumping all that cash into so your flat broke. I used to do this. paycheck in, truck parts on order. i have 8,000. yes EIGHT GRAND in upgrades. add the $18,000 truck to that, and you see where i am getting at. i got everything done in a year, and i have a nice truck, but its a truck. cool, but a HUGE waste of money mainly. take into account the pros and cons. and there is always cons.

but if you must, rebuild your trac lock. dont weld it. you WILL snap an axle shaft just driving on dry pavement with a 7.5 and locked spiders. put anything bigger then 31's on it, and your gonna do the same.

 

[rangers92]

more input please

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Yea, you're kind of in a rough spot. Either you have a daily driver and a second vehicle dedicated to trails/offroad so that if it breaks you still have a way to get to work... or you have some savings in case you break down off road (Its always good to have a savings account). I agree with above, don't weld it if you drive it on the street. I doubt you'll want to wear your rear tires out scuffing around every corner and the high risk of axle shaft failure.

My advice is to save up a little more and locate either a Ranger or Explorer 8.8 with limited slip carrier. This is "phase 1" if you will. Then when you get more serious off road you can purchase a powertrax no-slip to swap into your limited slip carrier (phase 2).

I don't know how serious you are when you say off road. It may be best to pick up an older ranger with 4wd (TTB front axle) as these are cheaper to lift and make off road worthy. Then you can keep your current 2wd as a daily.

 

[rednine4]

If you want to blow $400 bucks on it. Get a powertrax lockrite.. I had one in my 7.5 for 30k miles and it worked great on and offroad... but like the others say it's always nice to have some extra cash.. the truck will be around a long time.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

If you want to blow $400 bucks on it. Get a powertrax lockrite.. I had one in my 7.5 for 30k miles and it worked great on and offroad... but like the others say it's always nice to have some extra cash.. the truck will be around a long time.

This reminds me, I picked up my old lock-rite for my old 7.5" axle for $250 off of a member on here. Another piece of advice is patience! You can search ebay, craigslist, the forums, ect for used parts as they do pop up eventually. If you're not in a hurry, you can stretch your dollar a lot farther.

 

[Napabandit]

I have a limited slip 3.73 8.8 that I took out of my Ranger that is available. I swapped in an explorer axle so I have this one for sale. It hasn't been hammered. Let me know if you are interested.