will a 4x4 specific limited slip diff fit in an 86 2wd?

[JB3]

Im trying to find ways to make my 86 auto 2wd slightly more winter capable. Are there any bronco2 or ranger diffs with LSD that might fit in a 2wd?

 

[exbass94]

There's no such thing as a "4x4 specific" LSD. If you have a 7.5" rear axle, then any LSD for a 7.5" will fit. If you have an 8.8" axle, then any LSD for an 8.8 will fit. It doesn't matter if your truck is 2wd or 4wd.

If you're looking for a used axle in a junkyard, then any Ranger axle will bolt in and work. It doesn't matter if the axle came out of a 2wd or 4wd truck; they both used the same rear axles. LSDs were available in both 2wd and 4wd. Just make sure you get the gear ratio you want.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Any 7.5" should fit.

 

[JB3]

Ok excellent, i didnt know if there were any frame differences that made a leaf spring mounting difference on the diff housing itself. If run into this with some GM stuff.

Next questions, can i use a diff from a much later ranger? Like say a 95 or newer? Any year ranger will work on ag en1?

Are there external physical differences in the housing i can look for to identify a potential LSD?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

There are differences in housings. Mainly spring perch placement, b-2 is different from ranger is different from explorer is different from aerostar etc.
At the top of every page is a "tech section" button. I got the following from there;
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-axles.shtml

 

[Captain Ledd]

Any Ranger rear axle should work. Read the stickies for U-joint information, it will save you some headache. Technically GenIII+ is a slightly wider axle, but I'm told it's not noticeable. We're talking fractions of an inch per side...