Hello;

I was surfing Craigslist and noticed an 8.8 Traction loc out of a mustang and thought hmmmm, would that work in the front differential of my 02 FX4?!?!

Has any attempted this? Or is there a 'no brainer' reason that it wont work?

If not, I was looking at Detroit EZ locker. Anyone have input on using these? My truck is used mainly on the street, but occasionally in the mud.

I would appreciate any input.

 

It would be great if you like only going straight in 4wd.

 

the ford tracloc will work fine up front if its a 28spline unit, i dont think the mustang rear is a 28 spline unit though?

do not run a ezlocker up front, i did and i regret it soon as i tried to drive in 4x4 on snow/ice. but i can crawl up some crazy crap if i get the front tires to bite.

 

Does anyone know what (if any) model/year fords came with a 28 spline 8.8 traction loc carrier?

I think that the mustangs are 31 splines..right Klitch?

Although, I could probably buy the 28 spline side gears (if the carrier was cheap enough).

Klitch, any ideas on how a traction loc (up front) would change my daily driving? Since my 02 does not have lockout hubs, would/could this cause a few drive ability issues? Or would the carrier remain unlocked without power being applied to the ring and pinion?

 

A locker in the front diff of an IFS vehicle just doesnt sound like a good idea.

 

i dont think a LS up front is going to make a difference. also, i believe the ranger/exploder ran a 28spl 8.8? double check that.

 

I'll second that. It's gonna raise holy he** with your CV joints in the long run.
On a Twin-Trac-Beam in a 80s-early90s model yeah it'll do alright, but on the 97-up halfshaft setup it's gonna cause trouble.

A limited-slip unit will be better than the EZ-Locker, but it's still going to be quite a strain on the CVs.

 

Mustangs were 28 spline until 05. As far as it being a good idea in the front? Beats me, if it's like the one in the rear of my truck it should be back to working like an open diff in a couple thousand miles anyway. You might want to look into a Posi-Lok for the center disconnect so you have manual control of that. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

well ill be honest, the trac-loc is floating around pretty low prices on ebay. but if i would do my front end again i would either do a helical gear ls like a tru-trac eaton, or a selectable locker. possibly the ected.

 

28 spline setups were in a few mustangs, i cant remember what years. Late model rangers and explorers do have 28 spline axles.

As far as lockers up front, do a selectable. It gives you alot more freedom. For the record, i have an ected in the front of my truck and have had no problems. If you drive SMART you have nothing to worry about.

 

is the ected rather tight in LS function? my bro's in his ranger is tight enough to bark the tires on asphalt when turning with ected in ls. locked that things nuts lol

 

All pre 2005 Mustangs with 8.8 were 28 spline except possibly Cobras/Mach 1s? Not sure about those. Ranger 8.8s are 28 spline except FX4 Level 2s which had 31 spline Torsens. <--nice First body style Explorers are 28 spline, 95-01 (disc brake axles) are 31 spline, not sure about IRS 8.8s in the newer explorers. I'll agree with you on the TruTrac, Klitch. I just missed a barely used trutrac on ebay awhile back, i think it went for under $300. I hadn't decided whether to put it in the truck or Mustang but I wanted it bad. I don't have much experience with the ected, my old boss had them in both ends of his frankenstein ****** wagon with Scout D44s but I never got to drive that in four wheel drive.

 

is the ected rather tight in LS function? my bro's in his ranger is tight enough to bark the tires on asphalt when turning with ected in ls. locked that things nuts lol

klitch, its fine in 4 wheel as just a LS unit. The locker function is just "insurance" You summed it up.

 

Explorer 8.8's are all 31 spline. Rangers, i'm not sure on.

I've found this on TRS though:

1) 1986-up "Incomplete vehicles" also known as "Chassis Cabs" were frequently equipped with 8.8" 28-spline axles, the '86-88 examples are distinctive as they are the only 8.8" Ranger rears that have no provisions for a RABS sensor.

2) 1990 & up 4.0-liter Rangers. These are ALWAYS equipped with the 8.8-inch 28-spline rear axle.

3) 1998-up 4x4 supercab Rangers regardless of powerplant are frequently equipped with 8.8" axles

4) FX4 Rangers 99-current come equipped with an 8.8 rear and 31-spline axles with either 4.10 or 4.56 axle ratios.

 

code, you need to double check the year ranges for the axle spline counts. i think pre 94 was 28 spl. dont quote me on it but i think its a strong possibility