Powertrax NoSlip Front Locker for 95+

[Jefe]

I think you are correct Ray. Along with being in 2wd you also need/want a disconnect between wheels. You could speculate that because there is no torque going to the diff that the locker wouldn't lock. . .however i think you'd still notice it up there.
So its actually a two part problem: 1) able to run in true 2wd requiring modifying the t-case wiring, or an Atlas II and 2) able to disconnect one or both of the hubs requiring 98+ Ranger hubs (have yet to know if they work) or 95-97 Ex (assuming it does disconnect while in 2wd).

The way the vacuum disconnect works on a 95-97 Ex as told to me: while in 2wd, it disconnects the drive axle to the passenger wheel. So the driveshaft doesn't spin, and the driver side axle spins, and the diff differentiates, spinning the passenger side axle (but not tire/hub because its disconnected) in the reverse direction.

Any Questions?

PS Perhaps a moderator should split this thread since we are all WAY off topic now.

 

[go off road]

GJarrett hey if you find a way to turn off the all-wheel drive just remeber the front drive line is still going to be spinning all the time with are front ends just like mine does and I am not sure but the centrifugal clutch and some other fun stuff will still be spining. We should use the chat room some night and brain storm. I hope this helps us.

 

[DesertSpive]

I think this might be of interest to some of you Explorer A4WD and AWD guys. I posted it in the other forum, but felt it was entirely appropriate here...

Just wanted to let you know that we have a member over at ORR who works for Torsen. Apparently they have developed a Torsen l/s for the Ranger/Explorer front axle (SLA) and have been running the prototype on MacCachren's BITD truck. So there is already one developed, and for those of you in the know about Torsen products, it is a T-2. For those of you who don't, the Torsen is basically a torque-sensing/torque-biasing differential, using parallel gears(no clutches to wear out) that last the life of the vehicle. It instantaneously changes and manages torque between the axles as you drive. The Torsen comes standard in the rear of the new Ranger FX4 and is what is in the Hummer differentials in another form.

At any rate FRPP is considering carrying the front Torsen, but has not made a descision yet. I am trying to put together a list of potential buyers to e-mail them and show that there is definately and interest amongst Ranger and Explorer owners. I know limited slips and lockers have thier advantages and disadvantages, so this may be something that works beter for some of you. All I need to know is who would be interested. If you think you fit the bill, you are invited to click the link to the post is below.

http://www.offroadrangers.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1612

Also, more info on Torsen...

http://www.torsen.com/

Thanks,

--Sean

 

[go off road]

Ray L.

The PowerTrax no-slip does go open as long as you have no power from the T-case as if you going in to a turn, with my front end off the ground I can get each wheel to free wheel from the drive line and the other wheel but as soon as you have power from the T-case your locked in. With your Atlas II you have 2WD so you will be fine. You will fill it lock in and out when you frist start backing up it fills like a brake shifting. Driveing around town my truck fills normall as if its factory. Ray call me if you want.

Wade

 

[soupbone]

Originally posted by yob_yeknom
I'd like to know a little more about the Torsen differential. Like how does it react in rain and snow? How will it affect our full time 4wd and no hubs? I didn't find what I was looking for on their site.

Jason- I see you changed your sig.

the torsen looks just a like a truetrac to me. here is a review. not exactly a locker but better than a open diff.

http://www.4x4review.com/products/drive_train/truetrac.asp

still wish for a arb,OX,Tractech Electrac,Eaton ELocker front...

 

[GJarrett]

That's what I am thinking, Wade. Ray, the reason I thought 2wd may work is because my NoSlip does not engage unless power is applied. I'm thinking that it will act like an open diffy up front while in 2wd. That would mean that you could install one in yours with your Atlas II since you can manually choose 2wd now. It's just a theory, but based on the way my rear one works, I think that is what a front one would do.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Re: Ray L.

Originally posted by go off road
The PowerTrax no-slip does go open as long as you have no power from the T-case as if you going in to a turn, with my front end off the ground I can get each wheel to free wheel from the drive line and the other wheel but as soon as you have power from the T-case your locked in. With your Atlas II you have 2WD so you will be fine. You will fill it lock in and out when you frist start backing up it fills like a brake shifting. Driveing around town my truck fills normall as if its factory. Ray call me if you want.

Wade

Wade,
I understand that, but there are times when you are 4wheeling and you need to have the ability to be in 3wd so you can make a tight turn, say at the top of a hill to stay on the trail and you don't want to be trying to put it into 2wd. I have seen this senerio before quite a few times, which is why you would need to be able to unlock at least one side of the front in order to make a turn like this. If the Ranger hub disconnect would fit an Explorer then this would work. You could disconnect one wheel and it would turn just fine, instead of trying to go straight.

 

[GJarrett]

Rats

The Ranger hub won't do it. The vacuum line input was not part of the hub, which I suppose means it is the same or similar setup to the 95-96 Explorer with the vacuum in the axle. I'd have to replace a lot more than just the hub to make it work.

That leaves disengaging the front via a switch to disable the magnetic tcase clutch per my other post. I know Jot017 and Mav have done something similar. That would leave me with no 3wd anymore though, something I am not sure I want to lose. And Josh's post on his other thread mentioning that he had to restart the engine to re-engage the front didn't look like something I want, either. Hmmm.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Does anyone KNOW exactly how the vaccuum disconnect on a '95/96 works? When exactly is the axle connected and disconnected? Where does it disconnect?

After searching, all I could come up with is how some think it works, but no definite answers.

 

[Jason_25]

I was gonna ask the same question. I need to know EXACTLY how it works. I have the luxury of having an extra one sitting in my garage right now that I bought a few months ago to regear with. But i'm not too fond of breaking it open.

 

[Jefe]

Re: Rats

Originally posted by GJarrett
The Ranger hub won't do it. The vacuum line input was not part of the hub, which I suppose means it is the same or similar setup to the 95-96 Explorer with the vacuum in the axle. I'd have to replace a lot more than just the hub to make it work.

Thats kinda what I figured, but now we know.

That leaves disengaging the front via a switch to disable the magnetic tcase clutch per my other post. I know Jot017 and Mav have done something similar. That would leave me with no 3wd anymore though, something I am not sure I want to lose. And Josh's post on his other thread mentioning that he had to restart the engine to re-engage the front didn't look like something I want, either. Hmmm.

I installed a 2wd/4wd switch a while back. . .and it does work, but yes, you have to restart to gain 4wd again. I played with it on one run and decided it wasn't worth the trouble and haven't used it since.

 

[go off road]

GJarrett

That sucks I was hopeing to the the vcume hub would work out for you I think if you did the 4x4 auto disconnect the PowerTrax maybe the way to go. I got to try it out today an WOW even in the snow I was going up things my 95 Explorer could not.

Wade

 

[stadx2]

Gjarrett,

I looked into doing this hub conversion about 9 months ago on my truck. It IS possible and not that hard, but could get rather expensive if you couldn't find a donor 98-99 Ranger.
What needs to be replaced are your CV shafts on both sides (different spline configuration on hub end), steering knuckles on both sides (the Ranger knuckles have a vacuum line that runs through them), the lockout hubs, the electric/vacuum switch and vacuum holding tank, and some misc. O-ring seals.
But................
After getting feedback from 98-99 Ranger 4x4 owners, I realized why Ford stopped using the hubs after 99. They are unreliable.
Most or the Ranger owners complained about them poping in and out of engaugement when under extreme loads. And with larger diameter tires, I don't see that improving matters at all. So I aborted those plans.

Other then the fact that thier unreliable, they would have worked out in my case quite well considering that I have the Ranger Superlift kit with Ranger steering knuckles that have the vacuum lines built in to them. Oh well.

Jefe,
Reguarding your modification to your Control Trac T-case. Instead of diconnecting the sensor leads to obtain 2WD, try disconnecting power to the Torque-on-demand clutch, you'll have the same result but with no side affects (other then 2WD).

Darren
Littleton, CO
____________________________________________
98 Explorer Limited V8

-Front 4 inch Superlift(Ranger)+1 inch Torsion Twist
-Rear 5.5 inch Superlift SOA
-2 inch PA body lift
-33x12.50 Goodyear Wrangler MT-Rs