Explorer rear axle swap question

[wayunae]

Been reading on how to do this swap on my Ranger and I think understand everything I need to do, but have one question before I buy donor axle from a junk yard. If I am planning on installing a locker, should I be looking for an open differential, LSD, or does it matter? Im thinking I want to install a lock right (automatic/lunch box?) locker due to lower cost, don't mind if it makes a little noise in the turns. Unless anyone has other suggestions on the locker. This is a daily driver that ill take offroading some weekends. Thanks.

 

[dvdswan]

If you are planning on using a lock-rite locker, you need to buy an open carrier. It will not work in a LSD carrier.

IMO, since it is a DD I would look for a selectable locker or a LSD. Having a locked axle on a DD is cool at first but becomes very tiresome later. Cool factor just wears off and it gets annoying.

 

[wayunae]

If you are planning on using a lock-rite locker, you need to buy an open carrier. It will not work in a LSD carrier.

IMO, since it is a DD I would look for a selectable locker or a LSD. Having a locked axle on a DD is cool at first but becomes very tiresome later. Cool factor just wears off and it gets annoying.

Thanks for the input!!

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Why a locker over Ford Limited Slip on a DD?

And I assume you want rear disc brakes, the reason for explorer swap

A manual locker, cable, air or electric, might be a better choice for DD on the rear

 

[wayunae]

Thank you. Yes, disc brakes is one of the reasons. Reason I was staying away from LSD is because I read that they are not as effective as a locker and that they wear out. Not sure how true that is, don't really know much.

 

[wayunae]

Welcome to TRS

Why a locker over Ford Limited Slip on a DD?

And I assume you want rear disc brakes, the reason for explorer swap

A manual locker, cable, air or electric, might be a better choice for DD on the rear

Thank you. Yes, disc brakes is one of the reasons. Reason I was staying away from LSD is because I read that they are not as effective as a locker and that they wear out. Not sure how true that is, don't really know much.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thank you. Yes, disc brakes is one of the reasons. Reason I was staying away from LSD is because I read that they are not as effective as a locker and that they wear out. Not sure how true that is, don't really know much.

If you want to carry tires in the air doing serious rock crawling then yes a locker would be better.

A limited slip should go 75k pretty easily between rebuilds.

 

[RonD]

Ford uses a Clutch pack for LSD and the friction discs can wear out, but can also be replaced

Lockers are used for driving in a straight line, in loose material, like dirt, gravel, snow, they can get quite squirrely when cornering, because both wheels want/need to turn at the same speed, the point of Locker, equal power to both wheels no slipping(in the differential), so when cornering the slipping MUST occur in one of the wheels, which is where the squirrely part comes in, lol

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you do go with a limited slip, go to another LS axle and get the clutch pack from it, then you can rearrange the clutches to be in a better order and while in there add one more per side, it helps... plus you'll have extra parts to fix it up again later...

 

[wayunae]

If you want to carry tires in the air doing serious rock crawling then yes a locker would be better.

A limited slip should go 75k pretty easily between rebuilds.

This is for a 2wd, will do dirt trails and desert trips, not rock crawling. Suggestion? Thanks again

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This is for a 2wd, will do dirt trails and desert trips, not rock crawling. Suggestion? Thanks again

I do the same more or less with limited slip in 4wd and I am happy.

They can get weird on ice the same as a non-selectable locker. Mainly unless in 4wd the rear wants to be in the front so you have to be mindful of that. 4wd cures it if you have it.

 

[wayunae]

Ford uses a Clutch pack for LSD and the friction discs can wear out, but can also be replaced

Lockers are used for driving in a straight line, in loose material, like dirt, gravel, snow, they can get quite squirrely when cornering, because both wheels want/need to turn at the same speed, the point of Locker, equal power to both wheels no slipping(in the differential), so when cornering the slipping MUST occur in one of the wheels, which is where the squirrely part comes in, lol

Its a 2wd. Will mainly be doing dirt/gravel and desert trips where it's sandy. Still recommend the LSD? Thanks!!

 

[RonD]

Yes, for sure, Limited slip is what you want for on-road and off-road applications as described

Get a winch for 2WD, or 4x4, that's money better spent for part-time off-roading
You can use a "portable winch" and have tow hooks installed at the front and back
Although a front bumper winch looks way cooler, lol

Problem with sand and rear wheel drive is that the front wheels dig in, and no amount of traction from the rear wheels will help
This is why FWD, AWD and 4x4s do better in the sand, the front drive wheels lift front end up and over the sand so it doesn't dig in as easy

For sand also invest in a small 12volt air compressor
You need to deflate all the tires down to 14-16psi, some times even 8-10psi depends on the tires, this helps tires stay on top of the sand
But they need to be reinflated when you want to get back on the road

 

[wayunae]

Yes, for sure, Limited slip is what you want for on-road and off-road applications as described

Get a winch for 2WD, or 4x4, that's money better spent for part-time off-roading
You can use a "portable winch" and have tow hooks installed at the front and back
Although a front bumper winch looks way cooler, lol

Problem with sand and rear wheel drive is that the front wheels dig in, and no amount of traction from the rear wheels will help
This is why FWD, AWD and 4x4s do better in the sand, the front drive wheels lift front end up and over the sand so it doesn't dig in as easy

For sand also invest in a small 12volt air compressor
You need to deflate all the tires down to 14-16psi, some times even 8-10psi depends on the tires, this helps tires stay on top of the sand
But they need to be reinflated when you want to get back on the road

Thanks for all the good info. I think this is the route I'll take. I was actually about to pull the trigger on a winch yesterday, but then convinced myself to go the locker route. Guess I'll take a trip back and pick up the winch, and pick up an axle with LSD.