Ground Clearance with 31's

[Big Bear Bob]

so you an get 373 lockers for about $300 a piece what about instaltion, I do more harm than good under a car. That means I could get a locker for the fron and keep the fron open, or do they have limited slip diffs for the frony? I gotta tellya I scrapd the diff against some rocks and the local mecahnic put some heavey duty gaskett material n there and it's still leakingslow but leaking D***

 

[becker69]

3B; like you I am a novice mechanic at best, however I am no longer scared of putting a locker in the rear myself.... especially after reading articles (avail. under search) of how easy the powertrax is to install, with basic handtools. Personally, I would really evaluate the idea of getting a different 4x4, before anything else. You gotta figure a decent, nothing modified Bronco of F150 10 years old will still run you $7-8 big bills. Even if you put 1/3 of that $ into the X... I'm talking well placed $$, you would have one hell of a machine, and that includes tires. Figure 1500 for re-gear, $400 for a locker, $700 for tires (w/wheels) and maybe a body lift.... I don't know. Who knows you might be able to get $50-90 for your existing L/S. Besides, X's just look good on the trail

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Douglas
Just found out the rear diff is leaking along the seam.. I had hit it pretty hard a few weeks ago, and took it to a shop to get it fixed. He said he would replace the gasket and put all new fuids in since it hadn't been serviced in nearly 80,000 miles. Now today I went to town and got back and saw a small grease mark in the driveway. The lip on the diff was bent a little but not that bad, so I might have to put a new axle in the rear anyway.
The guy said to bring it by his shop tomrrow, and he would see what he could do. He said I might need to replace the unit, or at least the back plate. I am expecting to receive some money in the not too distant future, but thats not doing me any good now...The locker was ust a few more dollars than the ls, so.. but that was staying with a 373, and probably keeping the 31.s or maybe 32,s
But explaining this to the wife is goning to be tough. We've dumped more money into the X than we ever thought we would. Maybe if I get my money in time I can put a 373 limited slip up forward too.
Right now all I can say is s*** I had plans that would have taken a few months to a year. My wife wants to drive to Fla. to see family and friends in Nov. looks like I've got some explaining to do.

 

[becker69]

3B; any chance of hedging the truth? ie; wait a week or two and tell her that the diff has problems.... blame it on hard driving and lots of miles on the tired thing.... LOL
I wouldn't think that your bent cover, and leak would need a new rear axle at all, however if you find a rear axle at a junkyard or salvage yard that has 4.10's you may be ahead of the game. I am driving to WI in December with the Ex... so I know what you mean about hopes/dreams, problems and feeling like $$ is out the window. You can always look at diff covers or axle truss's and a new gasket, to keep you safe the next time. Surf on the 'modified Explorer' board, I know recently there was a thread with a guy that was designing somewhat of a truss. Good luck.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

By the way the diff. had a small ding in it, that caused the fluid leak. I took to one shop and they nailed me for $60.00 to clean an replace the rear gasket and fluids. I got home and it was still leaking and so I took it back and the guy told me the rear plate needed to be replaced. So out of curiousity I stopped and Wrays Automtive up here in BB and they said the gasket was the only thing leaking, they pealed it off, took grinding wheel to clean off and debris, and put on a new gasket and fuids, another $60.00, but it does not leak and it feels like I'm getting better traction off road.