LSD for an 08 Ranger XLT

[r3j2]

Hello,

New to these forums as a poster, but I've been lurking here since I bought my 08 Ranger XLT last month. It's my first truck, and I love it, however, I have a couple questions, both relating to traction and winter performance.

Essentially, I'm looking to get the most traction and performance I can out of my I-4, 5 speed, 2wd truck. Currently it has Goodyear Wrangler tires on it. Decent tread, but I do have pretty consistent wheelspin when taking off in first. Yes, I've had to adjust my driving habits, and things have been improving, but still. Are these the dreaded "stock tires" that I have heard so many awful things about. Any recommendations for some good tires?

The second thing I am interested in is a limited slip. I know I have a 7.5" axle (code 87 from the door sticker) and an open diff currently. With winter right around the corner, and a lot of horror stories about 2wd trucks, I was thinking that this upgrade could give a little much-needed traction. I have already built a box to sit right over the axle and I'm going to buy some tube sand to throw in there for weight. Any recommendations on this front? I'm not looking to swap axles; hopefully there is a bolt-on mod out there. Like I said, first truck, so I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to all the nuts and bolts of these kinds of transmission questions. Any links or product recommendations?

Thanks, I'm looking forward to many happy years with this truck!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Best thing you can do is about 500lbs in the bed, and good winter tires.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

maybe some winter tires
and yes add some weight on the bed.

Thats what some members here do.

 

[r3j2]

So a limited slip isn't worth it, or doesn't exist? Tires and sand is a lot more cost effective...

 

[06RangerXLT]

Best thing you can do is about 500lbs in the bed, and good winter tires.

Sorry thats too much weight, 1. its a 4 banger, and 2 well do i really need another reason?

So a limited slip isn't worth it, or doesn't exist? Tires and sand is a lot more cost effective...

LS is worth it. find a 8.8 axle and bolt it in place.




Remember the more weight you add, the harder it is to stop. 200 Lbs is plenty. Get a set of 235/75R15 BFG AT's. every winter i get a new set, just pick mine up. the only tire ill run on a truck in the winter time. Not once was i even close to stuck!

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well I'm goign to agree with Sasquach on this, A good set of winter tires and some weight in the back will help out tremendously.

I used to run A/T's in the winter with my old ranger and L/S and it did alright but you really cant beat a good set of winter tires. They are siped through out and made of a cold resistant rubber usually so the blocks don't freeze and become ice skates. I would also suggest around 300 - 400 lb's. 200lb's especially with just street or A/T tires isn't going to do much good. My friend uses atleast 300 every winter in his truck and its barely enough.

As for the limited slip, yes it would be worth it in a 2wd or 4x4 just depends on how much time and money you have. You can get a l/s axle fairly cheaply and they aren't hard to install if you have basic mechanical skills. But you would want to find the newest axle possible since your trucks newer and obviously throwing 200K parts in a truck with only 50K is... well dumb

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Original has some sort of a point there.
try to find an axle thats close to your trucks year.

im using a 25 year old axle on my 13 year old truck hahahaha

 

[r3j2]

Ok, so maybe that's where I was confused about a limited slip. I thought I could buy an ls unit that would bolt to my 7.5 axle. Instead, I have to look for an 8.8? Are there any drawbacks to having 2 different sized axles?

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

If you buy a LS unit, ull need a LS gear carrier and take your gears apart to install it.
thats a lot of work, and really expensive.

Some 7.5s had LS i think, but im not sure about that.
thats why everyone suggests getitn a 8.8, those were built with LS.

U wont have 2 different sized axles. because ur truck only has 1 axle to start with.
going for a 8.8 wont be an issue for your trans or engine.
unless u get a different gear ratio, u wont feel any difference.

the 8.8 is a stronger axle than the 7.5, so it would be a good upgrade.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If you do want a limited slip it would be a LOT more cost effective to get a complete junkyard axle assembly and swap it in.

And I'm sorry, but an all season or all terrain tire will not hold a candle to a dedicated winter tire period. I prefer mine to be studded as well.

 

[r3j2]

Thanks for all the help guys. Can you tell this is my first time dealing with anything farther back than the transmission?
So if an axle swap is the way to go, is this a junkyard-diving kind of scenario? The only reason I was really looking to get an ls on my current axle is to only drop new parts into my new truck. I've always been kind of wary of taking things off of a wreck. Also, does it matter if the axle I find has the 4.10 gearing instead of the 3.83?

Also, how work-intensive would an axle swap be? This is my daily driver, and I sure don't have the $ for another! Is it a one-day kind of operation?

FWIW, Summit has a new ls for the 7.5" for $205.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

4.10 gears instead of the 3.73 u have will give u a better rpm range for hills and towing/cargo
4.10s are a nice improvement for the 4 cyl rangers imo.
its a one man, one day operation.
as long u have basic tools and know how to work on brakes.

Make sure u get new gear fuild and the friction modifier the LS needs.

And yes u must go with a junk yard axle.

 

[dla]

Hello,

New to these forums as a poster, but I've been lurking here since I bought my 08 Ranger XLT last month. It's my first truck, and I love it, however, I have a couple questions, both relating to traction and winter performance.

Essentially, I'm looking to get the most traction and performance I can out of my I-4, 5 speed, 2wd truck. Currently it has Goodyear Wrangler tires on it. Decent tread, but I do have pretty consistent wheelspin when taking off in first. Yes, I've had to adjust my driving habits, and things have been improving, but still. Are these the dreaded "stock tires" that I have heard so many awful things about. Any recommendations for some good tires?

The second thing I am interested in is a limited slip. I know I have a 7.5" axle (code 87 from the door sticker) and an open diff currently. With winter right around the corner, and a lot of horror stories about 2wd trucks, I was thinking that this upgrade could give a little much-needed traction. I have already built a box to sit right over the axle and I'm going to buy some tube sand to throw in there for weight. Any recommendations on this front? I'm not looking to swap axles; hopefully there is a bolt-on mod out there. Like I said, first truck, so I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to all the nuts and bolts of these kinds of transmission questions. Any links or product recommendations?

Thanks, I'm looking forward to many happy years with this truck!

Lots of solutions, lets sort based on $:

1. Extra weight in the bed, set of chains - $50 for a good set of chains. You want about 300l - 500lbs in the back. I have about 200lbs right now to help with my bald tires.
2. #1 pluse a set of snow tires - Craigslist - $150 - $350
3. New L/S unit for the existing 7.5" axle - ~$225 + another $300 for labor.
4. Loc-Rite, Aussie, etc. Lunch box locker - ~$400 + your own labor, but some funky driving quirks.
5. Junk yard axle - total crap shoot on parts quality and prices vary all over the map. Cost goes way up in a hurry if you need to replace axle bearings, etc.
   

Personally, I would toss in some weight, get myself a good set of chains, drop the pressure in my tires a touch, readjust my headlights so I don't blind other drivers and drive it. I don't know many horror stories with 2wd trucks.

 

[r3j2]

Thanks for all your help, guys. I'll start looking for a good axle in the local junkyards, but I'm really thinking I'll go for a new l/s and go to the dealer that I got the truck from for installation. (Family discount ) Winter tires and weight should probably happen now, as temps are already dipping towards freezing. I'd prefer those to chains to deal with slick roads as well as snow.

As for horror stories, in the past week I've had a couple of close calls. These Goodyear Wranglers are total crap. In light rain I was braking from 40 mph and totally hydroplaned on a slight decline. ABS going off, there's no stopping, no traction. Barely slowed enough to make a left turn and gave it a touch of gas and hey! gettin' sideways. Got it under control, and everything is fine, but I don't drive like a maniac and this truck is all over the place!

 

[clvanhorn]

it may have already been said, but just remember with l/s, your truck will want to get slideways easier leaving snowy intersections, and around turns... this isn't really that big of deal once you get used to it, and once you learn how much gas to give it to go, yet not start spinning tires