Ranger LSD Longevity

[MrGiggles]

My 98 Ranger has a 7.5 3.45 open diff. I have 29" tires and I'm looking to swap a 4.10 axle in it's place, preferably an LSD.

Are the clutch packs in these diffs pretty strong? I'll be getting one from a scrapyard and won't know anything aside from mileage and looking it over. If worn, can you stick some new clutch material in there?

So far I've found a dozen 4.10 open diffs and only one 3.73 LSD. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that the next yard I visit will have one.

 

[adsm08]

They should last about 100K miles, but if the axle sits unused they can dry out and chatter in turns. Frankly, they aren't expensive to buy or hard to replace. While the axle is out is the time to do them.

 

[cny_ranger]

R7??

i have a 3.73 open diff in my truck now. I have a lsd R7 from a 2002, would it be worth swapping or doing a air locker setup? Thanks for the help!

 

[adsm08]

i have a 3.73 open diff in my truck now. I have a lsd R7 from a 2002, would it be worth swapping or doing a air locker setup? Thanks for the help!

Three things...

1) You really should have started your own thread rather than piggybacking on someone else's slightly related thread.

2) Not everyone knows the axle codes by heart. What is the R7 axle? Is it a 7.5 or 8.8? Do you have a 7.5 or 8.8 in your truck as it is?

3) What are you doing with it? Is it a street-only vehicle or does it go off-road.


Most people who have driven both prefer the lockers on bad roads. They say it is more predictable. I think I might like to go to an air locker some day, I just don't have the need or funds right now and my Torsen unit does the job just fine for now.

 

[cny_ranger]

i couldne figure out how to start a new post, thats why i asked here. i am new so if you can tell me how i will start one. and there both 8.8's with 3.73 thats why i considered it. i use it as my daily driver but i dont hesitate to venture into state land. But thanks for the input.

 

[4x4junkie]

At the top of each forum (on the topics page) is the "New Thread" button.

R7 should be 8.8" 4.10:1 limited slip.

If you go into rugged terrain a lot, a locker is probably the better bet. A selectable locker such as ARB is a great choice as it won't change the on-road handling at all.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Most people who have driven both prefer the lockers on bad roads. They say it is more predictable. I think I might like to go to an air locker some day, I just don't have the need or funds right now and my Torsen unit does the job just fine for now.

More predicable like having a T-Rex for a pet compared to a wolf (limited slip)

The T-Rex will always be trying to kill you, the wolf might someday.

You get used the T-Rex, the wolf might surprise you.

That said I am happy with my wolf so far.