You're Welcome !! Keep us updated.

 

Max,

Okay, here's your update. Reply from Torsen:

TORSEN - We manufacture a 31 spline Ford 8.8 differential used in the Mustang, so it will most likely fit your application. We design our differentials as "drop ins" to the OEM produced parts, so an ABS toner ring should be able to fit onto the differential.

Any comments? I'll have to check the Motorsports webpages and see if I can't catch a page that shows an 8.8 for a Mustang and mentions ABS compatibility..."Should be able to fit" doesn't completely answer my question.

Regards.

 

Yes, my comment is that a OEM replacement drop in doesn't mean ABS compatible, ABS compatible does. There are several units that "drop in" older models. Why don't you call 1-810-468-1356 and ask the Ford Performance tech why they list Traction-Lok, and Auburn HD & Pro as ABS compatible, and why Trac-tech C locker & Tru-Trac and Torsen are not. They sell all of them. Just a footnote, the Torsen in my car doesn't use the ring.

 

Max,

Could you give me your thoughts on the following? I have been down to the Ford dealership, a Ford Performance dealership, and a 4x4 performance store, and have essentially come to the following conclusions.

1) Since I spend 95% of my time on interstates in Florida (which are quite often wet) and the other 5% in snow and ice up north, I feel (or have been told) the most appropriate application for me would be a manual locker (ARB) or a ls.
2) I don't think I want to spend the money for an ARB locker, and it would void my factory warrant.
3) The Auburn sounds great, but I have slightly over 10k to go before 36k for the warranty, and I don't think I can get that 10k before leaving for Virginia in November.
Also, the Auburn calls for non-syn oil, which means changing more often, and also means double-duty at the dealership having to remind them to add the friction modifier AND non-synthetic lubricant.
4) If a get a OEM ls, I can get in installed now by a Ford dealership, and that won't void my factory warranty.
5) Eventually, the OEM will need replacement, and I'll just have them put in an Auburn at that time.

Does that sound like good reasoning?

Any comments would be appreciated. Oh yes, I have seen negative comments about the OEM ls, how has your experience been?

Regards.

 

I have not seen any information that the ARB is ABS compatible. The Auburn clutch wears out as well and cannot be rebuilt like the OEM LS. The OEM LS will be fine: it's cheap, it's ABS compatible, it will have a long life if properly maintained, it can be rebuilt, any Ford dealership will be competent in repairing it, it will use synthetic, and it will achieve warranty status. Go for it !! Mine works fine; I have no problem with rain or varied driving situations.

 

Max,

Thanks a million for all your teaching and assistance. In the event you ever have any type of tax question, I'd like to try to return the favor someday as I am a tax accountant and financial planner by trade (bet you were thinking I was a mechanic). My email address is cpadpl@aol.com.

OEM it is.

Regards.

 

You're more than welcome !! Happy Truckin

 

Mad Max,

I'm going to order the OEM tomorrow down at the Ford dealership. I've heard from both Ford Customer Service and the Ford dealership that the Ford installation of this Motorcraft part will in no way affect my factory warranty.

Would you concur? I'm trying to gather complete and total consensus, and it would be an uphill *****-to-the-wall struggle if the Ford dealership said yes, installed it, some drivetrain component broke, and then they said I had voided my factory warranty.
It would be a he-said, she-said sort of thing, so I want to triple-quadruple check this factoid.

Regards.

 

When the dealership does repairs using their parts and service, the warranty is in place. It should be considered the same as replacing a faulty part; warranty still in place.

 

Enjoyed reading and also got a great education!!!! Thanks to both you guys!!!!
How much will the ford ls conversion cost??

 

Sheesh, you had to ask. I was hoping no one would. Well, parts and labor I think will run me about $800-$900 total.

That's all my fault though, and I deserve to pay every penny if not more. I was too caught up in hemming and hawing about other options and naturally assumed the ls was part of the 4x4 package. Could have had this for a lot less if I got ls from the factory. This is the only thing I can do and not void my factory warranty.

I'm hoping at some point in my life I'll stop making expensive mistakes like that.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by cpadpl (edited 06-18-2001).]

 

Max,

I'm getting the ls installed next week. I also got an email back from Tractech saying the same thing Torsen did, that they accept the toner ring.

I guess my question is this, what is exactly special about the Auburn/Motorcraft limited slips, do they already have the exciter ring attached to the carrier? My Chilton's says the exciter ring is located in the diff case inside the axle housing on the rear gear.
What do they mean by rear gear, the ring gear?

Please explain, as the differential is the one area I've never messed with physically. Will the ls have a new exicter ring or will they use the one I currently have with the new ls?

 

Max,

I think I answered my own question. There's a nice website called oem-car-parts.com where you can order Motorcraft stuff (and anyother brand of oem stuff). Anyway, it has illustrations of each part (actually the same screens they look at at the Ford parts departments).

It appears the exciter ring wedges between the ring gear (or rear gear) and the differential carrier. Therefore, I would presume that the fit must be exact, so just because a exciter ring "could" be mounted to a Torsen or Truetrac, doesn't mean that the Ford exciter ring would specifically fit the "drop ins" as you called them. Which is why I presume that Ford Performance listed those as non-ABS compatible.

Am I right on this?

 

The exciter ring fits over a machined area on the differential case. It is behind where the ring gear mounts; yes, the actual ring (as in ring and pinion) gear. So, it must be machined to allow for it, as some applications have 4-channel ABS with sensors at each rear wheel. You generally heat them up and tap them on with a rubber mallet or by tapping them in place with a protective slab of plastic.

 

Got it, Max. And please tell me that they can use the existing exciter ring I have on my open diff on the new ls they are installing?

With my luck, it's a one-time use item, and it costs about $400....please tell me noooo..