I was just wondering has anyone ever swapped the entire axle instead of getting new ring & pinion?? I was hoping to find a wrecked F150 with a 3.73 limited slip rear end and swap it out. Is this possible?? thanks in advance.

 

I think you will find that a wrecked F-150 with a 3.73 is pretty rare.
It would be much faster to have a good shop install the gears in the truck you have.
Most were build with 3.55 gears, not the 3.73.

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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

Swapping the entire axle makes sense from a few angles:

1) there is no worry of not properly setting-up the gear lash/pattern

2) for some people, it can be quicker

3) you can sell your take-off

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Y2K™ 7700 4x4
Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Swapping an entire rear axle is a quick (about 1.5 hrs, taking our time w/ a lift & impact wrench) and relatively painless approach to getting the preferred ratio. I found a new (still tagged and on a pallet from Ford) 3.55 LS rear axle assembly in the local trader paper for $500 (got it for less though) only a 45 min. ride away. I swapped it the next morning. The new rear was a helluva lot better than the 3.08 open rear that came in my '99 (my '00 already has the 3.55 LS's). So, in closing, the only real problem will be finding the ratio you want. Good luck, D.


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2000 F-150 4x4
4.2L, 5-speed,
3.55 Limited Slip,
reg. cab, short bed,
Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD,
Tinted windows,
17" ORP wheels,
Fog Lights,
265/70-17 GY RT/S
Delta toolbox
Super-flip-chipped
Tow Hooks
...much more to come....

Wife: 2000 Ranger Trailhead Package
Black & Tinted
5-spd, CD, A/C,
16" 4x4 wheels/tires, 4x4 susp.,
Westin nerf bars

 

doc_f150,
Since you have a 4x4 what did you do about the front differential?

[This message has been edited by Buckster (edited 12-27-2000).]