Front Locker Performance in a 2nd Generation Explorer

[SuperSonicFX4]

I did it!!! PUt a no-slip powertrax locker in the front!!! WOW what a huge difference off-road. Its like night and day. I'll post pictures later today.

Best mod i've done so far. All went okay, ran into a couple bumps but all was forgotten after it was installed and working GREAT!!!!

Thing was pricey but well worth it. I can be hanging on 2 wheels and still keep truckin!!!! AWESOME. AWESOME

Thanks to Josh Adam's for his help, the xplorer fourms for their how to's and Jefe for his help too!!!

Took me about 3-4 hours Friday Night and 3-4 hours Saturday. Biggest problems I had was that I had to take the ring gear off. I didn't know this and sent an hour or so asking people what needed to be done if I took the ring gear off. Than I had to ran to a friends house to use a vese to hold the diff.

Than after I got it all back together tried the test hold one tire and spin the other the oppsite way, it wasn't working. I thought I was going to have the same problem Josh had. So put the truck on the ground started to back up, something popped and than seemed like everything was good to go. Jack it back up, do the test, works great.

Went wheeling that same day, WOW, WOW!!! Worked great, climbed right pass this hill where I had a spotter and about 3-4 tires b4 I made it up. Now with the locker just climbed right up like it wasn't even there. :blob:

On the road, can't really tell it is there. I've heard a clunk a couple of times as it un-locks to take a turn. Maybe a just a little effort, I mean little, to change lanes on the freeway as it again unlocks.



BEST MOD YET!!!!!

 

[Jefe]

Thanks to Josh Adam's for his help, the xplorer fourms for their how to's and Jefe for his help too!!!

Glad to see you got it in. The bill's in the mail.

 

[SuperSonicFX4]

Glad to see you got it in. The bill's in the mail.

LOL, Check is sent!!!!

Heres some pictures

 

[Premier]

Question. When my vehicle is off the ground(all 4) and I grab and twist where the front driveshaft goes into the pumpkin, should the front driverside wheel spin?

 

[SuperSonicFX4]

Question. When my vehicle is off the ground(all 4) and I grab and twist where the front driveshaft goes into the pumpkin, should the front driverside wheel spin?

It should, unless for some reason the locker is unlocked

 

[Premier]

Awesome thank you!

 

[n3m3s1s]

I have come across this great thread a few times now.
I figured it was the best place to post a quick question.
Has anyone been on the 4WP site as much as I have?
If they have, it's likely that someone ran across this same page and got fairly excited.

Does anyone know if the Dana 35 IFS locker will work in our 2nd gen's?
I don't really see why it wouldn't.

Any quick opinions of this EZ locker both front and rear?
At <$300 they sound like a really good deal.
I know you usually get exactly what you pay for when it comes to parts.

I would like to know the effects of these on my daily driver.
I've already conquered a mean hill or two and I think i would benefit more from these than from a BL and 33's.

I don't really run any serious trails, but I do like to reach remote places for fishun.
I think lockers would be my best chance against getting stuck without another vehicle to yank me out.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Bronco638]

n3,
This thread is all about the locker install for a Dana35 2nd Gen. I believe the manufacturer's part number was posted by GJarrett. I would confirm the part number with 4WD before ordering. I think if you re-read the thread, you'll find all the effects/benefit/FAQ issues you have are answered. BTW, those are great prices. I paid about $75 more for my PowerTraxx NoSlip unit. I may have to check with 4WD when the time comes to get the locker for my rear axle.
D.

 

[Premier]

Wow.. killer prices. I paid more, but the service that I got from a board member here was awesome

 

[jasonb]

Tractech (Detroit locker company) lists that they have a EZ locker for the 98-00 model year snapring IFS d35 for explorers, rangers, and mountaineers.
not sure how long they have listed that or if this is one that gerald tested back then. if you get it, make sure you can return it for no cost if it doesn't fit. i've heard many different stories regarding 4wp and returns (good and bad) so just be sure. if you don't want to chance it, i will have a guaranteed to fit Powertrax No-Slip for the IFS for sale this winter.

i could be wrong but i thought the EZ locker was more in lines with the lock right rather than the No-slip. the picture of it however looks just like a no-slip.

 

[Bronco638]

jason,
If you muck around on the PowerTraxx web site you'll come across their "marketing" strategy. EZ Locker, LockRite and NoSlip are all pretty much the same product just differently named for different markets. The LockRite and NoSlip seem to have some diffferences which account for the difference in price. But, for the most part, the naming conventions are all market driven.
D.

 

[jasonb]

yes that is true for the most part.. but there is a difference between the two. the no slip is quieter and a little smoother. its not just marketing and naming. i may be wrong, but the no slip and lock right don't look alike.
they do the same thing but one is just a little smoother about doing it.

 

[JDraper]

There is a significant difference between the No-Slip and the Lock-Rite. I've installed and run both of them, and the No-Slip is definintely quieter and smoother than the Lock Rite. They both perform exactly the same function, and the basic theory of operation is the same, but the designs have significant differences.

 

[SuperSonicFX4]

I had a little help from a guy who as the lock-rite. He said the no-slip looked the same but the 2 couplers that in the no-slip that weren't in the lock-rite. I assume that is what makes the no-slip smoother and quieter.

 

[go off road]

JGarrtte how is my locker working out for you its been a long time sence I sold it to you?

 

[GJarrett]

It's still doing great and I stand by my original post that started this thread - I LIKE it

 

[CDW6212R]

Hello, I read the first and last pages of the thread. Has there been any comment on using the No-Spin in an AWD for snow and ice? Any thoughts about steering on snow and ice, versus an open differential. My application is an AWD mail vehicle. I will have a Zexel-Torsen rear diff. Thanks for this thread,
DonW

 

[Premier]

You can NOT run a locker in the front of an AWD vehicle. If you are happy with your limited slip, then there is no need for a locker.. especially on a 'mail truck'.

PS. its a No-Slip

 

[CDW6212R]

"PS. its a No-Slip", sorry. I need all the traction I can get, all of the time.

Try stopping with you're right tires in the grass of you're yard, and hit the gas. You will spin the tires. Do that five times a week, forever, and there won't be much grass there.

Spinning tires costs me time. I want to use more throttle, not less. People choose to place there mailbox in there yard, instead of at the road. They are responsible for the problems created by that choice. Unfortunately, I have to spend more time to serve their mailbox, and more money for upkeep of my vehicle.

Our AWD transfer case has a viscous coupling, thus driving on dry pavement is possible. My question is about snow and ice, and the front end pushing while turning. Is that more likely with a No-Slip front diifferential?
Thanks for any thoughts,
DW

 

[Premier]

You cant put a locker in the front of an AWD. Trust me.. if you would have read the thread, you would have seen that I had a t-case problem. It wouldnt dis engage, and when I locked the front it was quite the pain in the ass. I had to remove my front driveline just to drive on the road.

If you want more traction in the rear, thats fine. A locker will go in there. Im not totally sure if you will need to replace the carrier or not, because you have a limited slip.

And yes, when the front is locked.. in the snow and ice.. turning doesnt work well. It ends up pulling you in a straight line, even when the tires are turned. Does that answer your Q?