Lost in numbers: Which ones are right?

[Blmpkn]

I'm still struggling to get past a certain mentality among used parts salesmen.

I checked the places which listed these axles in stock. You know the relevant numbers: 10" brakes/8.8/4:10/locking/level II. This time I emailed them. Two emailed me back asking for year and vin. I sent that data too. Two of them replied that there was nothing in stock. Apparently they remain fixated on replacements and not the upgrade i asked for.

Only one man emailed me back. He did have a locking level I with 130,000 miles. He was asking $550 for it. What do you think? Is this a good price? Is it worth the wait for a level II?

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but LSD clutches should last about 50k miles from everything I've read. Replacing them is a job that requires di$a$$embly.

If the seller can verify the diff locks up like it should, I'd say that's a decent deal.

If the clutches need replacement, I'd just buy a carrier and pay to have it put in your current axle.

 

[Lefty]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but LSD clutches should last about 50k miles from everything I've read. Replacing them is a job that requires di$a$$embly.

If the seller can verify the diff locks up like it should, I'd say that's a decent deal.

If the clutches need replacement, I'd just buy a carrier and pay to have it put in your current axle.

I like the way you spelled dis$a$$embly.

 

[rubydist]

I have had Ford limited slips where the clutches were worn out by 75k and others where they are still fairly decent at 130k, but it does depend on how its been driven.

If you do find a Level II (Torsen) rear, it will likely be double the price of the one you found, and they are very hard to find, so I would likely get the one you have found.

 

[Lefty]

I have had Ford limited slips where the clutches were worn out by 75k and others where they are still fairly decent at 130k, but it does depend on how its been driven.

If you do find a Level II (Torsen) rear, it will likely be double the price of the one you found, and they are very hard to find, so I would likely get the one you have found.

 

[Lefty]

I've gone to the the U-Pull yards only to find thrashed out differentials with leaking seals, a very bad sign in my opinion. I've also seen stuff badly compromised by rust. Even if I tried, the bolts would never loosen. What a mess!

Those local salvage yard axles probably need a rebuild. The people at the parts counters were unhelpful too. I'm not alone in this. I read customer reviews only to find comments like "rude."

No doubt many members here have had better luck. I am sure they are better at mechanics than me.

I decided to change my plan entirely. I found a website that sells OEM limited slip workings for $282.45,free shipping too. I might as well have a mechanic crack open my pumpkin and put this in. All told I would it would cost the same as as purchasing a complete old rusty axle assembly, but this way I'm guaranteed for parts and labor too.

OEM NEW 1990-2020 Ford Transit Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential 9L3Z4026F

 

[pjtoledo]

you sure that part fits?

 

[Lefty]

you sure that part fits?

I went tohttps://www.ebay.com/b/Differentials-Parts-for-Ford-Ranger/262244/bn_1387601

I typed in 2003 3.0 ranger edge. This is what I got. I am surprised they did not ask my axle type (8.8) or ring gear (4:10. They could be wrong.


OEM NEW 1990-2020 Ford Transit Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential 9L3Z4026F (Fits: Ford Ranger)
(2)2 product ratings - OEM NEW 1990-2020 Ford Transit Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential 9L3Z4026F
$282.45
Free shipping

 

[rubydist]

Yes, you can retrofit a limited slip pumpkin into any of the open rear axles. All you need is the one for the right size ring gear (8.8 in your case) and the right number of axle splines (28 in your case) and a mechanic who knows how to set the engagement on the ring and pinion. I would also put new bearings in there for both the differential and the pinion shaft, as well as the pinion shaft seal and crush washer.

 

[pjtoledo]

that site shows a 9.75 ring gear, 12 bolt, 34 spline carrier.

my local ford dealer has it listed for about $271

 

[Lefty]

Yes, you can retrofit a limited slip pumpkin into any of the open rear axles. All you need is the one for the right size ring gear (8.8 in your case) and the right number of axle splines (28 in your case) and a mechanic who knows how to set the engagement on the ring and pinion. I would also put new bearings in there for both the differential and the pinion shaft, as well as the pinion shaft seal and crush washer.

I wish I could click like twice. Thank you for making this clear.

 

[rubydist]

Here are a couple examples of ones that would work:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/yga-26005/make/ford

FORD Detroit Locker 912A562 Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differentials | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differentials with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Differential Carriers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

I'm not suggesting that is the best one or that you should get one of these, but they are examples of a limited slip carrier that you could retrofit into your existing axle.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

I called a few shops idk a month ago for a regear quote. They quoted me $2800 bucks to regear an axle steam cleaned, drained and already pulled....... 8.8 going from 4.10 gears to 4.88 gears. like $800 bucks in parts and yeah 2K in labor... Crazy...... Told the guy there is no reason it should take 25 hours at $80 an hour to regear a ford 8.8 that is steam cleaned, drained of oil and to there shop... He told me find some where else so i called. same thing at 2 other shops.... I am a mechanic but i work out of town and my time is worth a lot. Well not that much. I know they are just quoting as worse case but come on thats just unreal.... So if you are going to have a shop do a carrier swap, you might want to see what things are going to cost because buying an axle with the right gears and rebuilding the limited slip is going to be cheaper than regearing your current axle...... Just my .02 cents.....

 

[Lefty]

Here are a couple examples of ones that would work:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/yga-26005/make/ford

FORD Detroit Locker 912A562 Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differentials | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differentials with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Differential Carriers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

I'm not suggesting that is the best one or that you should get one of these, but they are examples of a limited slip carrier that you could retrofit into your existing axle.

Thank you. I will give them a call. Just my luck that I have a mechanically gifted friend.

Swapping out an old carrier for a new one is only a little more expensive than buying an entire old axle with a questionable history.

 

[Lefty]

I called a few shops idk a month ago for a regear quote. They quoted me $2800 bucks to regear an axle steam cleaned, drained and already pulled....... 8.8 going from 4.10 gears to 4.88 gears. like $800 bucks in parts and yeah 2K in labor... Crazy...... Told the guy there is no reason it should take 25 hours at $80 an hour to regear a ford 8.8 that is steam cleaned, drained of oil and to there shop... He told me find some where else so i called. same thing at 2 other shops.... I am a mechanic but i work out of town and my time is worth a lot. Well not that much. I know they are just quoting as worse case but come on thats just unreal.... So if you are going to have a shop do a carrier swap, you might want to see what things are going to cost because buying an axle with the right gears and rebuilding the limited slip is going to be cheaper than regearing your current axle...... Just my .02 cents.....

25 hours?

I did call. I got a similar run around. I got the impression they were not really too sure about how to do the job so they placed their estimates on the high side.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

25 hours at $80 bucks a hour for shop rate comes out the the $2000 in labor they quoted me..... 25 hours to regear a 8.8 thats pulled and ready for them is unreal..... There is no reason it should take a guy that has done gears before more than a shift.... I mean come on... how would a shop make any money??? its really pretty straight forward. and there isn't anything special about it. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic, I can rebuild a hole loader axle in half that time. So I understand the struggles but an axle sitting on there bench. a hour to pull the shafts out, brakes and all that. A hour to get the diff pulled down a couple hours remove old bearings count shims new parts and what not. I don't really feel like i should have to pay for a guys inexperience when they are advertising gear work on the TV and radio..... So I'm going to do mine myself.....