Rear differential conversion

[natwsr]

I have a question, I have a 2002 Ranger, 2wd with a limited slip rear 4.10 8.8. I been having some issues with it so i purchased exact same rear from junkyard except the only ones i can find are open differentials. I was wondering how hard it would be to simply swap the limited slip capability from one axle to the other. I am fairly mechanical and can follow technical instructions, but pictures would be nice.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Depending on your issues it might be easier to fix your diff.. It's not exactly a simple process to swap all of it over. Very time consuming and not easy for a novice to get the ring/pinion setup correctly. Searching the internet will tell you more about the process, to show you what you're getting yourself into. Also, the tech section here has a lot of info on the 8.8 axle.





GB

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Do the research on just rebuilding your old one and just use the open one to get around. It is real important to get everything exact when you go through a differential. Gear lash, run out, wear pattern, bearing preloads are all equally important. It can take some time to go through one not a task for the novice. You can cook a gearset in avery short period of time if not correct.

 

[Dirtman]

If you can do the work it takes to swap the LS guts to the open diff, you could just as easily just fix whatever's wrong with your original. Just kinda seems like you're working a little backwards here.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I agree plus you have a open backup if the rebuild goes south!

 

[natwsr]

After doing a little investigating i discovered that the pinion gear has chipped teeth, so my plan now is to rob the pinion from the open and install it in my limited slip, doesn't look to complicated long as i pay attention to disassembly and keep my dial indicator handy.

 

[adsm08]

After doing a little investigating i discovered that the pinion gear has chipped teeth, so my plan now is to rob the pinion from the open and install it in my limited slip, doesn't look to complicated long as i pay attention to disassembly and keep my dial indicator handy.

This is a very bad plan. You do not mix used gear sets.

It would be far better, at this point, to go with your original plan.

I would get a dial indicator and take some backlash measurements on the new axle, then remove your carriers, swap the JY ring onto the LSD carrier, and move it, with it's bearings and shims, to the JY housing and re-take your backlash measurements. That is a lot less work than it sounds like on paper.

 

[Dirtman]

I highly recommend getting a good manual and not relying on youtube for this. While the nuts and bolts of it aren't complicated, there is alot of precision involved. Setting the bearing preloads, setting pinion depth, setting up the backlash, checking the mesh patterns etc is all absolutely critical or you'll toast the diff in no time. Go slow and check everything 100 times!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I put a L/S in my 7.5 open gearbox. I found the gearset on line used. It took some time to get the pinion depth vorrect for the wear pattern. Be sure to check the ring gear runout as well. You rotate the ring gear around until it is within spec then establish pinion depth and shim for proper gearlash with proper preload on both the pinion bearings and carrier bearings. The fun part was getting the clutch stacks so the c clups barely fit when you put the axles in and you just have enough room to push the pin in for the spiders. It was a trick installing the clutch spring. I did it on my back under the truck it would have been alot easier on a bench for sure. Good luck keep us posted on your progress.