torsen or powertrax

[351crownvic]

I am looking to upgrade from my 7.5 to a 8.8. What would be the strongest way to go? FX 8.8 with the torsen or get the 8.8 with 4.56s and open diff and run the powertrax?

 

[RangerSVT]

Powertrax route, nothing beats an auto locker, except maybe and air or e locker

 

[Sunk]

If you're gonna pay money for a traction aid for a truck that goes off the pavement get a locker. Limited slips don't do much when you need it.

 

[c_note]

there wasnt a 8.8 that came with 4.56 gears.

i did like the torsen when i had it. its a gear driven l/s rather than the crappy clutch style l/s that came in the explorers. although, id just get a detroit instead but i dont do enough wheelin at the time to justify buying one and installing it.

 

[351crownvic]

FX4 Rangers 99-current come equipped with an 8.8 rear and 31-spline axles with either 4.10 or 4.56 axle ratios. I already know what the powertrax is capable of. I installed one in a grand marque. The other question would be how hard is it going to be to find a open 8.8 with the 4.56's in it..

 

[Ozwynn]

I would go 4.56 and power trax. good luck finding a 31 spline 8.8 4.56 open. for this i would buy any 96+ crappy gear open 8.8 from an explorer and intall the 4.56 and powertrax.

 

[JohnnyO]

FX4 Rangers 99-current come equipped with an 8.8 rear and 31-spline axles with either 4.10 or 4.56 axle ratios. I already know what the powertrax is capable of. I installed one in a grand marque. The other question would be how hard is it going to be to find a open 8.8 with the 4.56's in it..

Wrong.
#1, the FX4 wasn't introduced until 2002. And 2002 FX4's and 2003-up FX4 Level II's were the only ones with 31 spline Torsen diffs. 2003-up non-Level II FX4's are basically the same as the 1998-2002 Off-Road Package, although they did include a regular Ford limited-slip (not a Torsen) and 28 splines. FX4's all have 4.10 gears.

#2, the only Rangers ever built with a 4.56 axle were chassis-cab models with the payload package. These are so exceedingly rare that there really isn't any point in looking for one in a junkyard, they are in the same neighborhood as chicken lips and front Dana 28 limited-slips. Just get a Ranger or Explorer 8.8", buy a set of 4.56's, and be done with it. If you don't believe me, ask AllanD.

 

[RangerSVT]

If you just wheel once, that one trip alone will justify buying a locker, trust me I know!! You'll love the on road traction from a locker as well, the one wheel tire fryer sucks, even with the LS's, you'll still spin one tire sooner or later...

 

[c_note]

a detroit is great. i have one in the front but i hate having the l/s in the rear cuz when it rains, i lose traction on any little puddle.

the only problem i had with the torsen was when the bolts backed out of it and sheered off. then they shot out of the diff cover. and it wasnt the ring gear bolts but the bolts that keep it together.

 

[351crownvic]

thats what i have heard so i am going to try to find the 8.8 with the open diff and go with a powertrax.