95+ front Dana 35 Powertrax Right-lock fitting?

[Michigander]

Ok... I've read a ton of stuff that I found about this topic. People say a Powertrax right-lock will fit on my 95 X front axle, some say it will not. This is Right-Lock part # 2311 for a D-35 w/ ABS. Does this fricken thing fit or not? I was planning on buying one used this weekend, so I need to know.

 

[RFR2212]

If I'm not Mistaken, GJarret the moderator tried this, and once his whole front end was apart, they found out that it would not work. Hopefully he'll see the post and comment on it
Pete

 

[jimbo74]

that is what gerald said in another post... also, somebody else was with gerald and got the same results... if you want to TRUST somebody on this site, Gerald is a good start... the moderators know what they are talking about.[well, most of the time ]

 

[Michigander]

SOB!!! I was getting a GREAT deal on this too!! Brand new, in box for $180!! :fire:

Ok.. next question. Did ARB ever make a front locker? Does anyone for our X? I know no one did a while ago (from the archives I read) but maybe something has changed. Pleeeeaaaasssseee tell me this has changed.

 

[RFR2212]

To my knowledge...there is nothing available for the 95 and new explorers for the front end. I don't even know if there are l/s for them
Pete

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by RFR2212
To my knowledge...there is nothing available for the 95 and new explorers for the front end. I don't even know if there are l/s for them
Pete

i dont think there are b/c of the awd factor on some......

 

[Michigander]

The AWD is not the factor. AWD didn't start until 98 i believe. The big problem is that is isn't a true D-35.... it is some sort of a hybrib and the housing is different and man... why does EVERYTHING have to be so hard with this truck.

 

[Jason_25]

I feel your pain man. I would love to have a l/s in my front axle, and I would be willing to pay alot for one too. I've searched everywhere....and YES, everyone will tell you they fit.....but apparently they won't.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Well, I can certianly understand your situation and your frustration. Been there, done that( the Trailmaster lift feasco). Went through my second Exoplorer before they (the aftermarket manufactures) finally started to make things for our model years. Things have a way of going very slow coupled with the fact that not enough people are actually willing to shell out the money for things like a front locker. Many will say I want this or that, but when they see the price, most say that's too much and I'm not going to buy it. Not sure if I'm gonna wait for ARB to finally make a front locker. I have been seriously thinking about going with a solid front axle, just because that is, as of this writing, the only way I'll get true 4wd.
Gerald and I both tried to find a locker or limited slip that would go in our Explorers, but all was in vain. I had the shop that was going to install an ARB in my front call me back and tell me that IT WON'T FIT. Gerald tried to put a Trac Lok in his, if I remember correctly.
I sure wich I could tell you that there is something you could put in you front diffy, but it just ain't so. I'm in the same boat as you, my friend.

 

[Michigander]

Oh well.... I guess that I should think of this as saving money for something else

 

[rpenner54]

Has anyone gone out to look at a Yota's front end? I wonder how hard it would be to swap their front diff out and put it in the Explorer. They have lockers for it, at least an ARB and some kind of a trash loc.

 

[BislamJoe]

But that's not a Ford part!! lol. Actually, in another thread, it was brought up that they prolly have l/s or locker for the '97-up F-150/Expedition; in fact I know they do - Off-Road.com put a l/s or locker in the front of their project Expedition. I think it's a reverse-cut 8.8. Anyway: in this other thread someone suggested mebbe swapping in that reverse-cut 8.8 for the Dana 135 diffy in a late model. That should allow for a locker as well as make an almost unbreakable front end. I dunno - someone should try it. I would, but I've got a TTB (and i LOVE it, lol) :smoke:

 

[C5 Pewter Coupe]

response from Power Trax

I sent in a canned response to Power Trax on their locker.. (which ever one it would be)

Here's my response

email: c5pewtercoupe@aol.com
vehicle_year: 2001
vehicle_make: Ford
vehicle_model: Explorer XLT
drive: 4WD
cylinders: 6cyl
open_differential: yes
limited_slip: yes
info_request: no-slip traction system
feedback: I have a limited slip 8.8" rearend and the Dana 35 Independent
front suspension axle.. I'm interested in getting some better traction on
the rear axle.. and REALLY interested in something for the front end...

Thank you

Rex

I just received their reply back..


Rex,

Part# 92-0688-2128 for the rear and 92-0435-2706 for the front.

Thanks,

Ken

From: KHammond@Powertrax.com (Ken Hammond)

 

[Michigander]

But what model ## is that front locker? I don't think it will work. I think they just show our front axle as a D-35, not a hybrid.

When I called Powertrax, they gave me Lock-right #2311, which I mentioned above. This is the same locker that they say goes into the 93+ Wrangler. Lock-right #2311 will not fit.

Now, are the part ##'s they gave you for a Power-trax Lock-right locker, or some other locker they make?

 

[RobbieJ]

If Im not mistaken the dana 35 up front is 95+ explorers is not reverse cut. I know a guy who has 4.88s up front is his 98 ranger. He was able to do this because its not reverse cut. I know that the lockrite part number for 91-94 is 2310 0r a redesigned model 2310s2. The 2311 is designed for the wrangler rear dana35 with abs sensor. In my opinion it would be easier to get powertrax to build a lockrite for the front of 95+ explorers then to get 75 guys to invest 1200 dollars for ARBS. Power trax makes lockrites for everyting from explorers to volkswagon vans. Robbie