LSD swap on 01 2.3 RWD

[jaynine89]

Hey guys,

I'm curious about what it would take to do a limited-slip differential swap in my 01. I have the 4-cylinder and only RWD, the truck is really basic and I'm pretty sure I have an open diff. Are there any articles or previous threads about swaps to LSD? And what would be a ball-park figure for cost?

Jayson

 

[petruccifan88]

If you are planning on doing off road stuff, a locker like the Lock Right is the way to go. I recommend the Lock Right because you don't remove the carrier from the housing so there's no messing with ring gear tension or backlash. The Tech Article section is full of info on lockers vs. limited slip.

 

[JohnnyO]

Limited-slip was not an available option on 4-banger Rangers. A Lock Right is good if you do go off-road a little bit, if it's more a matter of getting around in the snow then I would get an OE limited-slip (Summit has them for around $230 last I looked) a Detroit True Trac, or Powertrax No-Slip. They are around $400 or a little more as I recall. Labor rates vary around the country but you're probably looking at 3 to 4 hours. 4-banger Rangers have a 7.5" rear axle. The other option is to simply get a limited-slip rear from another Ranger is a junkyard and swap it in. Factory limited-slips are more common in 4wd Rangers and most likely it will be the larger 8.8" axle but it will fit.

 

[jaynine89]

Limited-slip was not an available option on 4-banger Rangers. A Lock Right is good if you do go off-road a little bit, if it's more a matter of getting around in the snow then I would get an OE limited-slip (Summit has them for around $230 last I looked) a Detroit True Trac, or Powertrax No-Slip. They are around $400 or a little more as I recall. Labor rates vary around the country but you're probably looking at 3 to 4 hours. 4-banger Rangers have a 7.5" rear axle. The other option is to simply get a limited-slip rear from another Ranger is a junkyard and swap it in. Factory limited-slips are more common in 4wd Rangers and most likely it will be the larger 8.8" axle but it will fit.

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely only looking for better snow and mud capability. I don't plan on doing any kind of serious off-roading, I just want to be able to get around a little more if I need to in poor conditions.

I was also considering doing the labor with a friend to save some cash and get a little more mechanical experience. Do you happen to have any links to companies that might sell the OE parts? And how difficult of a swap do you think it would be to do in a garage, either way 7.5" or 8.8"?

Thanks for the info.