Front diff compatibility

[Sporttracdora]

I have owned my 03 ST for a year. My front diff started leaking pretty bad I heard of someone swapping an explorer front diff in. I am on 4.10 gears in the rear with the lsd package. What front differential from an explorer should I get to match the rear and bolt in? Thanks all

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

it's not difficult or expensive to change the seals out. Check to make sure the vent tube isnt plugged. It's up by the upper control arm mount on the driver's side.

 

[410Fortune]

He’s right! If the vent tube is plugged it will force fluid out past the seals
You may just need new axle seals?

How many miles on your truck?

To answer the question 4.1 front diff from any 96-01 explorer or mountaineer (some 2 doors and some sohc Eddie Bauer a often had 4.1) 02-04 sport and sport trac
Also 2000-2011 ranger if you could find one w 4.1 use the same front diff

 

[Sporttracdora]

Thanks guys! It’s got about 150k supposed miles dash has been replaced twice. I will take a look a the vent tube and see if it’s clogged, very likely since it saw mud recently… it has been leaking at the pumpkin mainly but slightly from the pinion, I have not noticed much from the axle seals themselves. I am thinking of rebuilding my existing axle ie: axle seal, pinion seal and cover seal. Although I cannot find a cover seal for the front online. Can I rtv?

 

[410Fortune]

yes they are rtv from the factory no gasket

It is a dana 35
regular rotation
what is called the Ford SLA IFS suspension (short long arm believe it or not)

pinion seal and axle seals are easy enough to do in the truck
The diff is also pretty easy to remove from the truck, 2 cv axles and 3ea, 10mm bolts
The vent hose is located on the drivers shock tower it is clipped there with a metal clamp
I would remove it and make sure it is clear

 

[Sporttracdora]

410Fortune! Awesome Info man I really appreciate it I’ll get this thing tore down and built back up instead of sourcing a new one. Back to the trails soon!

 

[oklagp1200r]

410Fortune! Awesome Info man I really appreciate it I’ll get this thing tore down and built back up instead of sourcing a new one. Back to the trails soon!















Use the red rtv!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

410Fortune! Awesome Info man I really appreciate it I’ll get this thing tore down and built back up instead of sourcing a new one. Back to the trails soon!

jamie is a great guy, and is an old guy around here (dont take that the wrong way!), so hes got years and years of hands on, probably more years than ive been around! as long as you dont push them hard, the d35s are quite durable depending on what you like to do, now could (if you are dropping the diff) be a good opportunity for something like a torsen or aussie

 

[Sporttracdora]

jamie is a great guy, and is an old guy around here (dont take that the wrong way!), so hes got years and years of hands on, probably more years than ive been around! as long as you dont push them hard, the d35s are quite durable depending on what you like to do, now could (if you are dropping the diff) be a good opportunity for something like a torsen or aussie

You are super right I appreciate all you guys on here with loads of knowledge! Makes breaking into my truck much easier knowing I can probably find the answer on here! I thought about an Aussie or lunchbox not sure which ones would work for it, but i the daily the vehicle and do longer trips to remote places. It sees hard enough tracks to where it would be benifincial though. I’ve heard that on ice and snow they can be really scary locked up front and being in central Oregon we see plenty of snow

 

[CDW6212R]

You are super right I appreciate all you guys on here with loads of knowledge! Makes breaking into my truck much easier knowing I can probably find the answer on here! I thought about an Aussie or lunchbox not sure which ones would work for it, but i the daily the vehicle and do longer trips to remote places. It sees hard enough tracks to where it would be benifincial though. I’ve heard that on ice and snow they can be really scary locked up front and being in central Oregon we see plenty of snow

Welcome, and don't look for a front full locker like a Detroit, there has never been one made for it. It's a unique D35, the axles have circlips that no other D35's have. So the only choice you have is the Torsen when they have made a run of them, and one other brand I forgot(was it a bolt in "lunch box type"). The Torsen is fine for the street, not anything like a real locker on ice etc.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You are super right I appreciate all you guys on here with loads of knowledge! Makes breaking into my truck much easier knowing I can probably find the answer on here! I thought about an Aussie or lunchbox not sure which ones would work for it, but i the daily the vehicle and do longer trips to remote places. It sees hard enough tracks to where it would be benifincial though. I’ve heard that on ice and snow they can be really scary locked up front and being in central Oregon we see plenty of snow

aussie and tosen are the ones for these d35s iirc. the Ptrax no slip was discont

that said, in the front, i dont see it being as large an issue, it can help with traction, but in the snow if it locks up i imagine that is no bueno. however, if kept in 2wd, it shouldnt lock up.... though.... 4wd is really helpful in snow...... i dont know of any selectable for the front, since that would be optimal.