I really didn't want to start a new thread but I'm trying to go from an open diff to a LSD. I have a 99 xlt 2wd with an open 7.5" and a 3.73 gear ratio. Is there any direct bolt on for this?

 

you could bolt in a new axle.

 

That ^^^^^
In the long run it might be cheaper to find a 8.8 w/a LSD then buying something for the 7.5. It's also a better axle.

 

But don't the 8.8s have to be fabricated a bit to fit on?

 

Not necessarily. If you find an 8.8 for another Ranger, then nope. unbolt old axle (driveshaft, shocks, Leaf springs, Swaybar links, Brakes) and bolt the new one in.

Your thinking about the guys that do the Explorer axle swap, to gain Disc brakes. you have to cut the spring mounts off the bottom and weld them to the top.

 

Alright thanks I'm going to the local JY this weekend is there any way to tell if it has an lsd?

 

Look at the Door Tag. (open drivers door, look under the category Axle)
You want either an F6 or F7 for limited slip 7.5" axles. (F6 is 3.73 gears, F7 is 4.10's)
or in an 8.8 you want R6 and R7. Same gearing as 7.5 axle, but this time its a 8.8 Carrier.

 

if the axle has over 100k on it you're better off just buying a brand new ford racing limited slip for 190ish off of summit. if you don't plan to lift your truck and put big tires on it the 7.5 will be fine. i ran 33s on my old truck for about 40k miles before my axle **** the bed which is when i got the 8.8. I also had a green 4x4 that had 198k on the 7.5 and it was fine.

it all depends what you're going to do with the truck and how much coin you wanna spend.

 

I plan on getting a 3" spindle lift but Im not sure about the tire size and coin doesnt really matter, but Id rather go the cheaper route.

 

In that case, buy a ford racing limited slip, pull the ring gear off of your open carrier, bolt and torque it onto the LS with red locktite, check the lash and you're done.

 

I wasn't even aware they made this kit.
Yea, do what he says, probably will save some time and money.

 

A True-Trac differential is available for the 7.5 rear axle, and is a much better choice than the Ford Traction-Lok.

 

and also more than double the price. he said he wants to keep it as cheap as possible

 

I thought that since he mentioned that "coin didn't really matter" that he' might be interested in a better choice than the Ford Traction-Lok... once you have to rebuild the Traction-Lok's clutch pack, the price difference reverses itself.

FWIW: I paid $289 delivered, for my 7½" True-Trac, brand new in the box.

 

I know this post is a bit old but I heard the ford Aerostar has a 7.5 with an LSD is it possible to swap out the carriers with my open diff?

 

Just my opinion… get an Explorer Axle and swap it in.
You get an 8.8 w/31 spline ales (major strength increase over the 7.5) and most of the Ex Axles I have seen are Limited Slip and you might find a disc brake setup on them too.
Some of the axles have 3.73 gears or get the 4.10s for a little seat of the pants power.

There may be other slight changes but there are plenty of threads on the subject, search the site and read.

Another thought is 4.10s may reduce gas milage so keeping the same gear ratio is something to think on.

 

I've looked into the 8.8 swap, but I was looking for a cheaper way out with the aerostar LSD. Ive searched on the forum and I can't find anything about people doing it.

 

Understood, I have not seen anything on the 7.5 here, though most of the trucks here are 4Xs and they want bigger.

Have you searched on the 7.5 mods or searched on the web for whatyou want ?

 

Yeah everyone talks about lockers for the 7.5, but I would rather go for a stock LSD. And as far as online I can't find anyone that has done it.

 

just look for a 3.0L 98-00 with the off road package. they usually have a 7.5 w/ LS

 

4x4s are very scarce at the salvage yards here but I managed to find a couple aerostars with LSDs and figured I may have a slight chance to swap them out.

 

+1, I recently just had this installed in mine, its a big improvement over an open diff, and no clutches to rebuild.

 

Sorry to butt into this thread but do you gentlemen have any idea what a shop would charge to install a Ford LSD or a Tru-Trac these days?

 

depends on shop rate but id say an estimate of like 2-250

 

Alright so I found a 95 ranger LSD on Craigslist,the ad states that the gear ratio is 3:77. It's priced really cheap, so if he has it ill grab it. The question is what problems if any would I be running into with the 3:77 gear ratio.