How are factory lockers?

[nak4af]

I have came across a great deal at the salvage yard and it seems too good to pass by. I currently have 3.27:1 gears with 31X10.5. VERY SLUGGISH! I am going to get a whole, complete rear axle with 3.73:1 with a locker (possibly a limited slip) for $170 with exchange. I can get the front third member for $75.

I origionally wanted to go with the 4.10:1 and run the JD 2.5" and 32X11.5.

Will the 3.73:1 push the 32's good enough? Heck!, for the price, I could sacrifice and stay with 31's if need be. Does anyone have the factory locker/limited slip? If so, how does it perform?

Honestly, is a complete gear change up two sizes worth $350 including the rear locker? Oh yeah! I will be replacing all the seals before I swap the axles as well. I am only doing the rear for now and then I'll go back and do the front in another ,month and a half, tops.

Please let me know what you guy's/gal's think about this!

 

[Byrd91]

3.27 to 3.73 will be very noticable and that is a great price. I run 3.73s with 31s and highway power and hills isn't great(maybe be due to loss of some low end with flowmaster force II). Oh, its definitely a limited slip and not a locker, and its not that great of a limited slip, but better than open. Good luck.

 

[Alec]

ditto

 

[nak4af]

thanks!

Thanks guys! That was really helpful. But does anyone know how well the 3.73:1 will work with 32" tires? I may just possibly get some 32" mud terrains only for the harder off-roading and keep the 31's for all around driving.

Whatta ya think?

 

[jimbo74]

3.73 with 32s wont be super horrible... but you wont win any acceleration contests or highest speed awards.....

for a 32" tire a 4.10 would be the closet to stock... a 3.73 for good gas mileage with sacrificed acceleration, and a 4.56 for excellent acceleration and less mileage.....

 

[Mbrooks420]

If the truck it comes from had a bunch of miles I'd chain the Limited slip. A ford tech a few days ago said the parts are about $75 and is a simple job. I have the 3.73 LS and love it. I've got 235 75 15's tho

 

[94EBexplorer]

3.73'S AND 35'S

 

[Skunk]

4:10's L/S sitin on 35's... not bad at all... when I had the 33's on it I was able to chirp the tires.... now I cant... but I can go where the big dawgs go now..... thats all that matters!!!

 

[Jason_25]

I agree with Jim. If you're just gonna drive the thing on the street or mild offroad 3.73's will be fine, I'm running them right now with 32's and I dont feel I have enough control while offroad and enough low end power on the street.

 

[nak4af]

Thanks!

That is what I needed to hear! I put it in yesterday and MAN! does it feel better! Now I don't have to clutch it as much taking off or hit the accelerator as much either. 4.10's was my choice but common! $170 for a complete axle! When I took it apart it was in excellent shape. Put new axle seals and pinion seals and it should last for another 100,000 miles. The bearings were good too. I will score the front along with manual hubs (chunking the auto's) for $130 on my next payday.

I feel it was well worth the sacrafice. What was ford thinking? 3.27:1! REALLY! I can't get the true power effect yet though, I still have the old axle in the back of my truck. That is an extra bit of weight to carry around. Well at least now I will be able to pull a camper or equivelent with no problems.

More to come!

 

[KEbert]

32's will probably rub a lot with a 2.5". When I put on my 2.5" lift I barely fit 32 and they rubbed almost at full steer, so I got 31's. I would say get the 2.5" and keep the 31's.

 

[nak4af]

KEbert

Several people told me that 31's wouldn't fit... but on stock rims, I'm having no problems. I have the warrior shackels but removed my F150 spacers. The alignment was outrageous. When I get the JD I'll put the spacers back on and have it aligned. Also going for the OME 36 rear springs. It will look like Kris Guilbeaux's (hope I spelled it right) Navajo with a total of 3.5" of lift. However, 31's will be my tire of preference.