Swappining in factory trac-loc

[thecause17]

I am looking to swap in a factory trac loc unit and was wondering what all needs to go with it. Did a search, didn't find much. I understand that I will need:

the unit itself, 31 spline w/abs ring
will my ring gear fit the posi unti also, or will I Need to buy that as well, as I need to match my 410 ratio that I already have. I plan to rebuild before it goes in as well, there should be kits available for this correct?

I know aftermarket units would be better, but factory units are always floating around and are pretty cheap, and I was fairly happy with the one my ranger had.

 

[bmxking5]

After you find the trac-loc and the rebuild kit, (could be wrong) but it would probably be about the same price as buying a powertrax or detroit EZ locker (which are 2 of the easiest ones to install) I'd go straight for the aftermarket if I was spending the money/going through the trouble. Good luck

 

[thecause17]

Are they both good for daily driving though?

 

[the_tool_man]

Hi thecause17:

If you plan on doing rock crawling, you might want to consider a locker, like the Power Trax unit. If, however, you just want better on-road traction with occasional snow, mud, etc., a limited slip, like the factory Traction Lock, will work fine.

I'm doing the same thing. If your rearend needs a rebuild anyway, it's worth considering putting in the Traction-Lock. There was a guy on here selling low mileage takeouts for $50. I bought one from him. Do a search in the For Sale forum. A rebuild kit from Ford will cost around $100. It will come with new carrier bearings, shims, pinion bearings, pinion seal and crush sleeve. If you get a worn Traction Lock, you need a rebuild kit for it, too, with clutches and clutch plates. You can swap your ring gear to the new carrier without any problem. Do not mix ring and pinions from different sets, as they are made in matched pairs. If you are doing the work yourself, you need to know how to check the pinion depth, backlash, and gear pattern as you reassemble. If you don't know what these are, you may want to have someone who knows how to help you (that's what I did last time). Otherwise, you'll have to have it done by a mechanic, which will cost several hundred dollars.

If you have to do the rebuild anyway, the labor and rebuild kit will be necessary either way. I'd spend $50 on a used carrier before I'd spend $400 on a Power Trax. If the only reason you're rebuilding is to add the Traction Lock, and you aren't doing the rebuild labor yourself, your looking at $500 or more for a limited slip. Then, a $400 Power Trax starts to make sense. They make one that drops into the existing open carrier, so you can install it yourself without a rebuild.

In my case, I just rebuilt mine last year:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110827

...and I have access to the tools to do the work, so when I found a <3000 mile Traction Lock for $50, I picked it up. It's going in sometime in the next couple of months.

Regards,
John.

 

[thecause17]

Well if I went aftermarket at all I would be going with the no slip unit from Powertrax, which they claim has smooth engagement. I dont plan on doing any rock crawling, but the ride will see both daily driving on pavement as well as deep snow, and some moderate mudding. This is why I was more interested in the trac-loc, since it seemed adequate in my Ranger, although like I have read before, extreme conditions did leave me with one wheel spinning out back depsite having the trac-loc...so it might be better for me to get the powertrax no slip unit correct? I don't have a problem spending the money, as long as it's going to be worth it.

I don't plan on putting this in myself, mostly because I don't have experience installing rear ends, and this is my primary vehicle and I honestly just don't wanna mess it up...

 

[Digger196]

i have a no slip and you can't even know it is there. they are super easy to put in. You just got to be able to work in tight spaces. if you can it is pretty stepforward.

 

[thecause17]

Do you still need to mess with the backlash and stuff on the powertrax, or it just basically drop in as it is?

 

[Digger196]

drop in. it is a lunchbox locker.

 

[the_tool_man]

Do you still need to mess with the backlash and stuff on the powertrax, or it just basically drop in as it is?

No. That's why if you don't need to rebuild it for other reasons, it might be cheaper for you if you buy the Power Trax and put it in yourself. My above discussion was assuming you needed to rebuild the rear anyway.

Regards,
John.