Need advice on locking rear diff

[mkimber]

Hey guys need some advice on the best way to lock the rear on my ranger on a budget. I don't need to regear while I'm doing this. I currently have a worn out trac lock. I don't want to rebuild it either I want a true locker. I'm leaning toward buying a used open 8.8 carrier from an explorer and putting an Aussie or something similar in it. I would love to reuse my carrier but I'm not sure that would work. I'm trying to avoid setting up gears if possible. A Lincoln locker is not an option either. Thanks for the help.

 

[Downey]

you cant put an explorer carrier in you ranger. if you are running a stock 8.8 you have a 28 spline axle the explorer 8.8 is 31 spline

 

[bigmark303]

The stock carrier becomes the weak point when installing a lunchbox locker or welding the spider gears. Stock carriers are good for open or L/S not as much locked.

Also as said Explorer is 31 spline, Ranger is 28 so carriers are not interchangable.

 

[RICO9]

Mini spool. I got mine from Jegs for $80. Mine is a 31 spline 8.8 though, I don't know it they make one for the 28 spline.

 

[Captain Ledd]

If you swap the carrier you're basically going to end up setting up gears. You might get lucky and have it spot on first shot (there's always the chance at least), but you'll go through all the same steps checking it as if you would be setting up gears anyways.

Buy a replacement Ranger 8.8 axle that's open and the same ratio. Install lunchbox locker. Call it a day.

If you can weld, do the Explorer 8.8 swap of the same ratio and open diff. Install lunchbox locker. Call it a day.

*edit*: Don't go mini-spool. That's the same as welded and REALLY puts the stress on the cross pin. Welded is a better option if that kind of traction is the goal, and you wouldn't even have to source a new axle.

Setting up gears is aggravating after you're messing with it for a while, but plenty doable. The first time especially so. I put an ARB and 4.56 in my Ranger, first time doing gears, axle swap or anything like that on my own. They're still holding up fine.

 

[mkimber]

Thanks guys. I thought rangers were 31 spline. I'll look for a whole axle as well. Any preference on the lunchbox locker or they all about the same?

 

[Captain Ledd]

The Aussies have been reported to be smoother/quieter. My truck makes so much noise and jutters, plus never gets driven on the street so I couldn't tell. Should have just welded it really, for what I use it for.

The others are reported to be about even. "No-Slip" and "Lock-Right" both appear to be made by Powertrax... And both come in 28 spline versions.

 

[mkimber]

Thanks again guys. Finding an open 8.8 ranger axle is just about impossible here. I've found a few expleror axles but they all 4.10s and lsd.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The Aussie is only available for the 31 spline 8.8 last I checked, but is a very good lunchbox locker... I put some serious load on mine a few weeks ago doing a tractor pull, 5.13:1 gears, fresh 35" BFG MT's, low range first gear, turbo 2.3 pushing 12psi boost (ported head, more airflow = less boost, used to do 16psi before the porting), enough power to bend the drivers side leaf spring and lift the drivers side front tire before the rear yoke let go. Anyway, I barely notice the locker back there on the street but it works great.

 

[mkimber]

Alright guys it's decision time. I found an open carrier disc brake explorer axle for 150. Haven't seen it yet but I was wondering about the drive shaft bolting up. It's a shortened 1 piece for my doubler that I want to keep. I also found a local guy selling a nib 28 spline Detroit locker for 375. I know that involves gear setup but a friend of a friend said he'd help. I'm leaning toward the Detroit now.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Gear setup isn't necessarily difficult, just time consuming. I'm assuming your friend has set up gears before?

Do yourself a favor and order a crush sleeve eliminator if you go that route. (edit: actually, if you don't have to remove the pinion to get the gear pattern correct, don't bother. leave it. I forgot if you're just replacing the carrier you technically don't even have to remove the pinion, for the most part it should be good to go.)

Driveshafts: If you already have an 8.8 I don't believe you'll run into any problems. I'm pretty sure it was only early driveshafts (pre 91/92?) that were smaller. And I'm also pretty sure anything 4.0L would have got bigger u-joints, I've got both sizes in my shed, there's a pretty good difference.

 

[RangerSVT]

Some info is incorrect here. Any 8.8 carrier will fit into any 8.8 axle. It's the spider gears that determine if its 28 or 31 spline. The 28 spline carriers use the 3/4" diameter pin, the 31 spline carriers use a 7/8" diameter pin. The 31 spline spider gears will fit into a 28 spline axle housing, but the 31 spline axle shafts won't due to the larger bearings near the flange. That being said, a good upgrade is any explorer axle, a better upgrade is the 95-01 explorer axle for its disc brakes...

SVT

 

[AmericanPride]

Auburn ECTED diff. Period

 

[Captain Ledd]

With a doubler and his rigs specs? An ECTED wouldn't hold up. He's looking for an actual locker. Besides, the Detroit he's been offered is a rather good deal.

And yes, Ranger=28 splines (with the exception of FX4 Lvl2 trim packages) ; Explorer=31 splines.

 

[RangerSVT]

Ected's are known to fail, period. If you want a good electric selectable locker, with a long reliability, go with E locker...

SVT