Thinking about swapping to Limited Slip Differential

[BamakoJon]

Hi everyone,

First, I'm new here so I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this question.

I have a '99 Explorer XLT 2wd that I'd like to put a limited slip differential on. I don't have a lot of money to spend on it, so I'm wondering how much I'd be looking at spending.

For most of the stuff that I'm interested in doing, I don't really need 4x4 or even a full locking diff, I'd just like the limited slip for that little extra "umpff."

Any insight would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[Turdle]

On your door tag there is an axle code. What does it say?

 

[Blown]

Many of these have Limited slip from the factory.

 

[shucker1]

On your door tag there is an axle code. What does it say?

There even might be a small metal tag attached to 1 of the rear cover bolts.

If the tag number ends in LS it should already be an Limited Slip rear end.

BTW:

Welcome to the forum!

 

[fastpakr]

I don't remember axle tags having LS, but they do have L between the numbers of the ratio if they're limited slip. 3L73, 4L10, etc.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You’ll likely spend between 2-500 to make this conversion happen.

 

[BamakoJon]

The inside door tag says 46, so it's definitely an open diff.

If I could do it for closer to $200 that would be sweet. Where should I look? I'm planning on going to a U-Pull-It and looking around there, but if I can get one that I know more about for a good price, I'd prefer that.

 

[Mbrooks420]

200 is about as cheap as you’ll possibly do it, and there’s always the chance of swapping in a whiny rear. I’d look for one behind the OHV.

 

[Spudhut]

It all depends where you are. Around here in the local JY's, I can pick them up between $100 - $150. Once you have it, you have to install it. Do you plan on doing the work yourself?

Figure that you will sell your old 8.8 rear...should sell for the same amount. So....you could break even over time.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

or another option you could do is try finding a truck for sale with one in it, swap the diffs, and resell it.

 

[BamakoJon]

I definitely plan on doing the work myself. Never swapped a diff before, but YouTube should be able to help with that. Unfortunately I don't have the overhead to go buying a whole truck, but I'll definitely try local junkyards. Just gotta find some time...

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d not bother with the diff, I’d swap the entire axle. Just u bolts, brake line and cables, and shocks.

 

[BamakoJon]

I’d not bother with the diff, I’d swap the entire axle. Just u bolts, brake line and cables, and shocks.

okay. That would probably cost significantly more though, right?

 

[WormsExplorer]

It all depends on your Pull and Pay JY. Here where I am I can get a rear axle for about $100 out the door. So it all depends on the area you are in.

 

[Spudhut]

It all depends where you are. Around here in the local JY's, I can pick them up between $100 - $150. Once you have it, you have to install it. Do you plan on doing the work yourself?

Figure that you will sell your old 8.8 rear...should sell for the same amount. So....you could break even over time.

Like @Mbrooks420 said, is exactly what I was suggesting...these prices are for complete rear ends.

 

[BamakoJon]

Okay, that's really pretty good then! I'll see about it whenever I get a chance to actually go to a junkyard!

 

[BamakoJon]

Another quick question: If I were to find a diff with a different gear ratio, it wouldn't be bad to put it on since my truck is only 2wd and has no front diff, right? According to the chart the D3 and L73 are both 3.73 like my current one, and I don't think that I want to sacrifice fuel efficiency by getting the 4.10 LSD, but I just want to make sure I'm thinking about this right.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You could technically go with any ratio you wanted. 3.73 will be WAY more common to find than the 4.10. The 3.73 came standard (and the only option) with every V8, and standard with the towing package.