Thought I'd share my gong show locker install.
Started off great.
Removed the old open carrier...
Removed the stock 3.73 crown gear from the open carrier...
Empty D35...
Me telling the open carrier where to go...
Bolted the 3.73 crown gear to the Auburn ECTED locker...
Before installing the locker and crown gear I had to fix a few of the bolt holes with a Helicoil kit.
The instructions are pretty basic, but to the point. The first hole I was a little nervous taking a drill bit the housing...then followed by a tap. Once the first one was done it was a cake walk.
Cleaned out all the shavings and test fit the locker. It was almost a perfect swap...just had to lose a tiny bit of shim to make it fit.
Ok now for the crap show. You see this is an electric locker therefore you have to have wires running into the case to the locker. Auburn has this cool little deal that self seals the wires so that your gear oil stays in and the water stays out. Now it looked very straight forward. Drill a hole tap it and you're done. In the end it was that easy...it was the getting there that was ridiculous. Needless to say I wasted half a day pissing around trying to get the right tap. Once I had it I was off to the races.
Inside the case...
I think I picked a good spot as there is nothing that can hit it as the axle arm travels up and down.
Wire plug, I'll finish the wiring later as there where other issues that needed to be addressed...
So now I'm at the point of do I install the c-clip or not...
You guessed it the c-clip got the same treatment as the open carrier...
I'm working on a c-clip eliminator right now...so stay tuned.
Ok so all the internal stuff is done and the axle needed to be reassembled. I took the time to have all new u-joints installed in the axle shafts at Pat's Driveline. They are greasable with a needle point, but the nipples make for a really tight fit getting the axle shafts back through the knuckle.
I also noted that I had to replace a spindle bearing as the passenger side cage bearing exploded and took out my locking hub with it.
Here's the new one pressed in. The guy at Pat's Driveline said that Ford used the incorrect bearing and that new replacements are a much better design. For $20 I had both sides replaced.
As it stands it's almost ready to go...just need to replace the one hub, fill it with gear oil, finish the wiring, and test it out.
A couple of side notes...
Took the time to install the F-150 coil spring retainers, going to do the same thing to my Explorer as well.
Lifted the shock boot to find this...
I cut them off and tossed them.
I think I got it all covered in there.