I have searched and searched on the forums for this solution and have not been able to find it so any help would be great!!!

What I have:
1997 Ford F-150XL-WT 2WD
4.2Liter v6
Open Differential 8.8inch
Disc Brakes - front
Drum Brakes - rear

What I want:
A complete rear axle from a 2WD F-150
LSD Differential 8.8inch

Situation explained:
I have an open differential and I am tired of getting stuck and having no faith in my truck's off road capabilities whatsoever. Since I do not know how to disassemble a rear diff and swap the gears I am looking for a complete rear axel swap. Is this possible? If so what truck do I need to look for in the junkyard? I am thinking a 2WD 5.4 v8 with the same size rear end (8.8) with an lsd and drum brakes. Does that exist? And if it does, can the swap even be done? I dont have the tools or the skills to take apart the gears. I just want to drop everything and replace it from another truck with an LSD rear end and hopefully keep my crappy drum brakes so I do not have to run hard lines, pull master cylinder, etc.

Any help or advice is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Also I have my truck all of the time so any more information you need I can get if you tell me what you need and how to get it.

Just to give you an idea of my extent of rear end knowledge. My other vehicle is a Nissan 240 and I know everyhting about the rear end in it but unlike my truck it has cv axles and does not have the solid rear end. Swapping diffs in it is a piece of cake and I have done it a dozen times. So pulling junkyard nissan diffs gave me this idea to pull a ford rear end and swap it. Please tell me it will work! I absolutely love everything else about my truck it has been so faithful to me! Thanks again for your time and efforts!

-Tony

 

The 5.4 used a 9.75" rear. You need one out of a 97 or 98 4.2 or 4.6.

Lot less hassle adding a LS or locker to your existing rear, or changing out the whole pumpkin.

 

Swap the carriers man i put a LSD in my my ford 8.8 in about 3 hours theres nothin to it.

 

you're probably due for a brake flush/bleed anyways.

I'd just swap out the carrier tho. don't forget the friction modifier when you fill it up!

 

Thanks so much for the input guys! So by swapping the carrier just buy an aftermarket one or find one in the junkyard? Basically you leave everything in the truck and just take the driveshaft off and the pumpkin face? Do I need any special tools? Also one of you said you swapped it yourself. What rear end did you use?! Now I know what to do, the choice I need help with now is finding my new carrier! Thanks again can't wait for the replies!
-Tony

 

you have to pull each of the axle shafts out a little to get the carrier out, but its not too bad

Unless you're changing gear ratios you shouldnt need to take off the driveshaft

 

I got my LSD carrier in the junkyard for 53 bucks i installed new carrier bearings. And all you do is drain the oil take the center pin out of the carrier take the tire and rotors off then slide the axles in remove the C clips and slide the axles out then take the bearing caps off pull the carrier out and swap the ring gear to new carrier make sure u keep the carrier shims on the same side they came from and the backlash will be fine.

 

Thanks so much for the help!!! I am excited for the swap! What vehicles am I looking for here? 4x4 explorers? 4x4 Rangers? 4x4 f150s with the 8.8? I am not sure which carriers just swap over. Should I go with a higher gear ratio or try to keep it similar? Also Steven what vehicle did you pull yours from?!
Thanks again for all of your advice! I can't wait to have a 2x4 instead of a 1x4 lol!
-Tony

 

Any 97 or 98 F-150 with a 4.2 or 4.6 will be compatible. It can be a 2x4 or 4x4. You will not likely find one with a LS that isn't 3.55. If you change ratios from what you have, you will need a different VSS gear.

 

not sure what splines the rangers and explorers use, but you have a 31 spline axles, mustangs use 28 splines

 

so the 3.55 gears will function in my truck but my speedometer will be off? or will the lsd 3.55 not work at all with my current vss? also could I pull the vss from the lsd truck and use it? Thank you for the advice! I am almost ready to start hunting in the salvage yards!
-Tony

 

Don't forget to put thread locker on the ring bolts.

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/5o...5ohtech001.htm

Take a look at this, it may help you out.

 

A VSS gear is inexpensive. What ratio do you presently have?

 

I pulled mine from a 2003 f150 4x4 4.6 8.8 it was easy pulling it from the truck took maybe 45 mins

 

Oh and yes put red thread locker on the ring gear bolts