Its naht a tumor, or whats this thingie on my diffy?

[Sport (no trac)]

Yesterday I climbed underneath my '01 X Sport to install the Ford skid plate kit I was taking a general look around when I noticed someting that didn't catch my eye before, a circular weight bolted to the passenger side of my differential.

My X has a 3.73 LS, but I doubt this has anything to do with it. Has anyone noticed this on their trucks? What is it and is it important?

BTW, the skid plate kit was very well constructed and was a piece of cake to install. My buddy's 96 X Sport came with it, but it must have been a casualty of the bean counters pencils by the time my '01 was built.

 

[bigDerk]

I've got one too, I imagine it's there to balance the weight of the axle/differential, but that's just a guess. Mine is a 94 with 3.27 open gears.

 

[Sport (no trac)]

I thought about that too. I thought it was funny that Ford would add more weight to a rear end that seems to be somewhat difficult on uneven pavement already. I also had a provision for a shock on the diff, but nothing on the frame. I am assuming the shock only came on 4dr Explorers.

 

[TarHeel085]

Sport (no trac) if you dont mind, how much did the skid plate cost, and where did you get it from.

 

[Sport (no trac)]

TH: I bought the kit from Alan Vigil Ford for $125, but that was at cost since I was doing a project for www.myfordsuv.com. I think the regular price is $150 or so. The guy who runs the parts department is a study in customer service. The prices are excellent, the assistance with unusual parts and installation questions was great, and they seem to enjoy dealing with guys who modify their vehicles.

The kit came with 2 skid plates: one that goes cross-wise on the frame and covers the transfer case, and the other covers the gas tank from front to rear. The whole thing took me about 1/2 hour to install. Well worth the money IMHO. The plates are fairly think and very sturdy.

 

[asp84]

The circular thing on the Passenger side of the differential, is the VIBRATION dampner....if I believe.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

That is correct, it is a vibration damper. I took it off once to see if it really made a difference. It does so I put it back.