-
Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator,
Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Register Today It's free!
lockers for diffs
- Thread starter eagle-keeper
- Start date
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!.
BExplorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 9, 2000
- Messages
- 376
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94' XL 4x4
locker...
What I meant was it will always be open since I would like to run constant 4x4 in snowy condition and be able to turn. I dont do 4wheelling much, so dont need front lock.
What I meant was it will always be open since I would like to run constant 4x4 in snowy condition and be able to turn. I dont do 4wheelling much, so dont need front lock.
kvo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 26, 1999
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- San Jose, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '00 XLT (SOHC)
BExporer -
I think the front is an open differential and it doesn't matter if you have manual or auto hubs, it is still an open differentail and will operate as one on snowy road or not. I don't think Ford came out with OEM front locker for the front in the '94 model.
I think the front is an open differential and it doesn't matter if you have manual or auto hubs, it is still an open differentail and will operate as one on snowy road or not. I don't think Ford came out with OEM front locker for the front in the '94 model.
mattadams
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- September 17, 1999
- Messages
- 8,161
- Reaction score
- 10
- City, State
- Longmont, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2017 Explorer Sport
sorry I didn't catch this earlier... if you want to not lock the front, just don't buy a front locker, save yourself a whole lot of money 
. I have an open front differential and I've been able to go places that people with lockers front and rear have not been able to go so the front locker isn't as necessary as the rear.
. I have an open front differential and I've been able to go places that people with lockers front and rear have not been able to go so the front locker isn't as necessary as the rear.BExplorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 9, 2000
- Messages
- 376
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94' XL 4x4
Why...
Then why the axle make that strugling noise when I am turning on hard surfaces. Do I have a defective unit on mine? The front wheels are turning same speed, as if it was locked. When I turn hard at slow speed in snow the front end slides. If anyone has an answer to that please help.
Then why the axle make that strugling noise when I am turning on hard surfaces. Do I have a defective unit on mine? The front wheels are turning same speed, as if it was locked. When I turn hard at slow speed in snow the front end slides. If anyone has an answer to that please help.
mattadams
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- September 17, 1999
- Messages
- 8,161
- Reaction score
- 10
- City, State
- Longmont, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2017 Explorer Sport
are you in 4-wheel drive at the time? Being in 4-wheel drive and trying to make tight turns will make the type of struggling noise I believe your describing.
BExplorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 9, 2000
- Messages
- 376
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94' XL 4x4
4x4...
Yes I am in 4 wheel drive, the truck also shake a little from one side to another utile I stop. It feel like if one wheel is going faster than the other and try to free out but no slipping(or not enought).
Yes I am in 4 wheel drive, the truck also shake a little from one side to another utile I stop. It feel like if one wheel is going faster than the other and try to free out but no slipping(or not enought).
kvo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 26, 1999
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- San Jose, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '00 XLT (SOHC)
Matt - It's good to hear that a rear locker works that well. I hope that'll be the case for me. I'll probably be chickened out before I will reach the limit of the truck with the rear locker now.
BExplorer - Unless you live in an area that snowed all the time and the streets snow covered, I would not recommend keeping it in 4 wheel drive mode all the time. It will wear out your drivetrain and you could end up breaking something. The front tires will always do that because on hard surface it has the maximum traction with the road, there is no give on hard surface so it will bite and grind. It probably isn't your hubs if you don't hear all that grinding noises driving straight.
In an open differential, power is still applied to all tires with contact on pavement, only in situations when your tire slipped/spun or is lifted that all power is transfered to the lifted tire.
When you turn hard in the snow and the front tires slide, it's probably because of momentum. It's harder for the truck to turn and change momentum in a slippery condition. You may have to go much slower when turning and not give it too much gas. May be time for new tires?
[Edited by kvo on 07-24-2000 at 10:29 AM]
BExplorer - Unless you live in an area that snowed all the time and the streets snow covered, I would not recommend keeping it in 4 wheel drive mode all the time. It will wear out your drivetrain and you could end up breaking something. The front tires will always do that because on hard surface it has the maximum traction with the road, there is no give on hard surface so it will bite and grind. It probably isn't your hubs if you don't hear all that grinding noises driving straight.
In an open differential, power is still applied to all tires with contact on pavement, only in situations when your tire slipped/spun or is lifted that all power is transfered to the lifted tire.
When you turn hard in the snow and the front tires slide, it's probably because of momentum. It's harder for the truck to turn and change momentum in a slippery condition. You may have to go much slower when turning and not give it too much gas. May be time for new tires?
[Edited by kvo on 07-24-2000 at 10:29 AM]
BExplorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 9, 2000
- Messages
- 376
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94' XL 4x4
Question...
Maybe it is a dumb question, but isn't a diff there to compensate for the non-equal speed of the 2 wheels. Shouldn't the wheels run like if they where seperate(almost like an all-wheel drive system).
Maybe it is a dumb question, but isn't a diff there to compensate for the non-equal speed of the 2 wheels. Shouldn't the wheels run like if they where seperate(almost like an all-wheel drive system).
kvo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 26, 1999
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- San Jose, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '00 XLT (SOHC)
BExplorer -
Yes, the differential is made for transfering power to both tires at varying or same speed but there is still power that goes through the tires, assuming the tires have pavement contact on the tires. That is probably what caused the binding, clunking, struggling noise you experienced. The only time in an open differential that all power goes through one tire is if that tire is lifted.
Yes, the differential is made for transfering power to both tires at varying or same speed but there is still power that goes through the tires, assuming the tires have pavement contact on the tires. That is probably what caused the binding, clunking, struggling noise you experienced. The only time in an open differential that all power goes through one tire is if that tire is lifted.
- Joined
- February 8, 1999
- Messages
- 3,768
- Reaction score
- 22
- City, State
- Wichita KS
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Merc
The front end will always bind up when turning on a hard surface because your tires will be turning at differn't speeds and something has to give since they both have traction you hear pops from the drivetrain. Which is not good. Your 4x4 system is completly normal sounding to me. Read your manual if you have one that came with the Explorer. It should lay it out in easy to understand ways.
As far as a front vs. rear locker I think you should always lock up the rear first. Then once you start noticing you need more traction get on for the front. Thats the way most shops even recomend doing it. This is because your front pulls you and the rear pushes. Well pushing makes up for a whole lot more of your go power then the pulling I think.
If I had to do it all over again, I would still get an ARB. I like it being 100% off or 100% on. Although now that I know the 8.8 is somewhat weak I probably would've upgraded axles to something stronger. Maybe a Corp 14 bolt or a Dana 60 with an ARB.
Your 4x4 system is completly normal sounding to me. Read your manual if you have one that came with the Explorer. It should lay it out in easy to understand ways. As far as a front vs. rear locker I think you should always lock up the rear first. Then once you start noticing you need more traction get on for the front. Thats the way most shops even recomend doing it. This is because your front pulls you and the rear pushes. Well pushing makes up for a whole lot more of your go power then the pulling I think.
If I had to do it all over again, I would still get an ARB. I like it being 100% off or 100% on. Although now that I know the 8.8 is somewhat weak I probably would've upgraded axles to something stronger. Maybe a Corp 14 bolt or a Dana 60 with an ARB.
Henry
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- December 8, 1999
- Messages
- 146
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Columbus, IN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1994 EB 4x4
BExplorer,
I think I understand your question. You are correct that the diff. will allow the two attached wheels to travel at different speeds. However, when you are in a turn the front wheels travel faster than the back wheels. The problem is that, when the transfer case in engaged, the front drive shaft is not allowed to travel faster than the rear drive shaft. As a result you get "binding" in the drive train which gets released by one of the tires slipping (or if there is too much traction, by something breaking
)
I think I understand your question. You are correct that the diff. will allow the two attached wheels to travel at different speeds. However, when you are in a turn the front wheels travel faster than the back wheels. The problem is that, when the transfer case in engaged, the front drive shaft is not allowed to travel faster than the rear drive shaft. As a result you get "binding" in the drive train which gets released by one of the tires slipping (or if there is too much traction, by something breaking
)
- Joined
- February 10, 1999
- Messages
- 838
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- Wittmann
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1993 Explorer XLT
- Callsign
- KB7TKQ
ARB has redesigned the locker for the Explorer. I think partly due to the fact we broke so many in Moab and partly because of how many others have broken. They are supposed to be stronger now. Just my $.02.
Guerilla Biscuits
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 29, 2000
- Messages
- 160
- Reaction score
- 0
But has anyone tried the new one and made sure its tough as nails?
mattadams
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- September 17, 1999
- Messages
- 8,161
- Reaction score
- 10
- City, State
- Longmont, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2017 Explorer Sport
figures they'd redesign it AFTER I break mine and have to pay to have a new one installed... and Im STILL waiting on my refund from ARB!!!
- Joined
- February 8, 1999
- Messages
- 4,574
- Reaction score
- 11
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2006 Honda Accord
This is what ARB said about their new redesigned locker for the 8.8. I was hoping to get the new redesigned one but I'm having the gears changed the beginning of next month, so the old one will have to do for now. 
Date June 22 2000
Date June 22 2000
BExplorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 9, 2000
- Messages
- 376
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94' XL 4x4
Thanks...
Henry, thanks for the answer, that's what I was refering to. Is there by any mean some kind of transfer case that would solve that problem. I've been looking at Atlas II for a while but don't know if it's worth it since I don't do major off-roading.
Henry, thanks for the answer, that's what I was refering to. Is there by any mean some kind of transfer case that would solve that problem. I've been looking at Atlas II for a while but don't know if it's worth it since I don't do major off-roading.
Explorer Features
Explorer Features
