Front Diff Upgrade

[ram8498]

I’m thinking of upgrading the differentials on my 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD (5.0L, axle code D4) and wanted to see if anyone can confirm front-end fitment. I’m looking at the Eaton Detroit Truetrac 912A585.
Has anyone successfully installed the 912A585 in the front of a second gen AWD Explorer or knows if it would fit?
Thanks in advance.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome to the forum.

That one is for a Dana 30. The Explorer 2nd gen uses a hybrid version of a Dana 35. The gears are normal Dane 35's, but the diff has unique snap lock grooves in the input shafts. So none of the normal Dama 35 diffs will work, they won't hold the CV axles in place. They have to have those grooves to lock into.

Torsen made a special Dana 35 unit for our trucks, I bought one years ago and should install it next year. They make limited runs of about 20 units at a time. Call them now if you are serious about buying one, my guess is they make a run when they get plenty of people asking for them. They used to be about $500, I expect it's more now. The True Trac 8.8 is a great choice for the rear, and it's near $650 last I looked.

 

[ram8498]

Thanks for the great info Don, that helps alot. I'll give them a call this week. I did see on Torsen's website that they'll be available in 2026. I hope it's earlier than that.

 

[CDW6212R]

Do they have a current price shown now, just curious? I think they set the price when they make each production run, but things change of course.

 

[ram8498]

Do they have a current price shown now, just curious? I think they set the price when they make each production run, but things change of course.

Yeah, right now it's listed for $645.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ouch. I know the Torsen 8.8 was over $800 when I was collecting parts a few years ago. The True Trac was the better choice for me on the 8.8, but the Torsen was the only one available for our D35.

 

[mitchx3]

When I was looking for a front diff upgrade (2022-2024) my perception was that Torsen would bump the availability date forward 6mo every 6mo without ever producing any. They did this a few times while I was waiting for one and I haven't received any emails suggesting they've become available since (I got on a list for that, either via their site or by emailing their sales team, I forget). Basically, I wouldn't count on Torsen making any in the short term.

I posted this thread where I found a Quaife model that worked. My impression was that they probably did a run of them a long time ago and had them sitting on the shelf for years - I called them and they didn't know what models it fit but I took a chance and it worked.

Dana35 vs Dana35-IFS & DIY LS

I have a 1998 sport (4x4, manual, ohv) and want a front diff that's other-than-open. Was waiting for Torsen to make another run (Torsen® Traction) but they've pushed the date out now from summer 2023, to fall 2023, and finally to "maybe in 2025". I had seen suggestions that normal Dana35's...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[CDW6212R]

The supply issues on everything is still affecting a lot of things, hopefully the Torsen isn't going to be obsoleted completely.