axle swap question

[sootman73]

i have access to a limited slip axle and i've been wanting one for quite a while now. wont cost me anything but its on a E350 ambulance. i'm not sure on the gearing but i think its 4:10s.

i was thinking that i could change out the carrier into my axle and replace the gears with mine at the same time. i'm not sure if this can be done or not. i would like to keep my axle and springs and just put the LS in it.

anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[Optikalillushun]

so u want to swap the LSD carrier into ur trucks current axle, and swap the ring gear over? what yr is the ambulance? im not 100% sure if the 10.50" axle has the same carrier as the 10.25.

if so, then yes its that simple. u will need either replace or at least clean up the bearings on the LSD carrier. and u will also need to have the gear pattern checked and if needed, changed.

but, for our beater trucks we swap carried/ring gears all the time w/o checkin anything lol.

 

[sootman73]

it in a 1995 ambulance. i would change the whole axle and leaves if the leaves weren't so rusty crappy looking. it has a 11,000 GVWR so the springs are a lot better. it has like 8 leaves too... how can i identify a 10.50 or 10.25 axle?

 

[Optikalillushun]

heh, im confused what u wanted to to. 95 should be 10.25.

 

[sootman73]

okay i was just wondering if they could be easily swapped over. i didn't want to tear it apart to find out i couldn't and had to swap axles.

i just want to swap out the LS carrier without gears out of the ambulance. replace the 4:10 gears with my 3:55s and then install the LS with 3:55 gears back into my original axle.

 

[Optikalillushun]

then yes, thats what i thought u wanted to do. just be sure to have the gear pattern checked. another word of advice, u may want to look into rebuilding the LSD carrier, as that one may have worn clutches. its not hard and the rebuild kits arent that expensive.

 

[Cat_Rebel]

Just swap the axles & keep your leafs, buy new U bolts if your's are old. It takes less then 4 hours then you'll have to bleed your brakes. But you'll have to re gear the front to 4.10 as well. If you just want a LSD buy an aftermarket one like a Detroit True Trac. But you will have to pull the carrier out & set the back lash. If a shop does it plan on over $400 +.

 

[sootman73]

well i dont want 4:10 gears cuz i use it for daily driving a lot and take it on long trips not hauling a whole lot. i just figured that getting the LSD out of that axle and putting it in mine would cost under $100. to change axles and re-gear the front would be a lot of time.

and the truetracs are really expensive for our axles as well as detroit lockers. not sure why. i figure there are so many of our trucks on the road with the sterling rear why would the price be so high?

maybe in the future i'll throw electric or air lockers front and rear. have a bronco four wheel drive unit in my dash with two switches just waiting to get used for that!

 

[Cat_Rebel]

well i dont want 4:10 gears cuz i use it for daily driving a lot and take it on long trips not hauling a whole lot. i just figured that getting the LSD out of that axle and putting it in mine would cost under $100. to change axles and re-gear the front would be a lot of time.

and the truetracs are really expensive for our axles as well as detroit lockers. not sure why. i figure there are so many of our trucks on the road with the sterling rear why would the price be so high?

If you pull out the carrier & replace it with a factory LSD you will still have to set backlash. You can do it yourself but you better have some good faith in your work. For under $100....I just don't see it happening.

 

[Devilish]

You need to do further checking before starting on this project.The way I read it you have 3.55 gears and this other rear end has 4.10. Your plan is to switch gears on the lsd carrier with your 3.55. There could be an issue with ring gear off set on the carrier. 3.73 seems to be the cutoff as to where the offset changes on the carriers. I would contact the dealer or a gear specialist regarding this issue.

 

[hesutton]

Also, a lot of older E series van did not use the same axle as F series trucks. A Dana 61 was a common weird axle found on them. Just be sure it is a Ford/Sterling 10.25 first. Otherwise the diff will not worlk. Personally, I'd rebuild the LS's clutch packs and put new bearings on the diff. (will need a bearing puller and a press), and you need shims to set the back lash and you may need to shim the pinion for depth as well.

Heath

 

[Cat_Rebel]

In all truth if it's mostly just a highway truck & you have 4x4 you should focus your money on other things. I have an open diff on front & rear on my 93. The 00 is 2wd & has a LSD & still get's stuck easy. Unless you live off the pavement or want to race with it stick to 4x4.

 

[sootman73]

well thats the thing i use it a lot on the high way but everytime i go to a job site for work(dirt moving) i need four wheel drive. the new tires help but when it comes to pulling some one out or getting out it would be nice to have the LS.

its either that or i get a detroit locker or ECTED locker front and rear but that is big $$$

 

[Optikalillushun]

bah! just weld the rear spiders!

 

[sootman73]

haha riiiiggghhhttt!

actually i was gonna practice that with my S10 and firebird. def the firebird cuz i can't do a two wheel burnout!