ok, Had a very large scale party at my farm saturday night, lots of people, lots of *trucks*. Did some trailing and mudding while we were out. People got to mouthing off and the pulling started. To cut to the chase, I ended up hooking to a 2003 dodge 1500 with a 4bt cummins swap. Yes, I out pulled the truck, yes I have videos, yes it was dumb but that's what happens when ya drink beer : The rear end did start hoping real hard after about 5 feet. Had it in 4x4 low. The problem is when I got out on the road I noticed a problem. When I turn left and the weight of the truck shifts to the right the rear end jumps real hard and makes a loud clicking noise. But it doesn't do it when i turn right. I jacked it up and i am able to move the wheels, and the truck will roll a bit when parked even with parking brake and in gear. I haven't had a chance to take diff cover off and check the gears. Was wondering If anyone might have a clue what the problem is?

 

Damaged gears, cracked diff assy.

 

That's what I was thinking, but I doubt it's ring and pinion, by the looks I am leaning towards spyder gears, cause it's only doing it when im turning, and if when I go to turn out of my drive way, the right rear tire will turn unusually fast kicking gravel. Im ganna pull the diff apart tonight, just hoping it's not something to serious

 

could also be an axle problem...wont know until you get it pulled apart...had a buddy who was trying to pull somebody out and he started wheel hopping real bad and partially broke one of his axles

 

Well, I pulled the diff cover off last night and found a couple things, One the spider gears are totally screwed. I was able to put my finger on the gear and wobble it, second the diff fluid had so much water in it that I thought at first that's all it was. The pinion gear was fine as far as I could tell and I don't have a clue if the axle shaft is twisted or not. I'm ganna tear the whole rear end apart tonight, if push comes to shove then i'll probably overhaul the rear end and do a long awaited re-gearing

 

Got it torn apart, spider gears were wrapped into the gear housing, axles were fine, gears were fine. Just don't know if I should pay the money to buy new gears and housing, or just buy a locker?

 

Hit up a junk yard for a complete axle that has NO water in it.
Or else rebuild the one you have including new bearings , not just gears.

 

alright, i'll go see what I can find, that would probably be better than rebuilding the entire rear end

 

Search this site for 'axle codes'. The code is on the driver's side door jam/post sticker.
Look for an Explorer with an 8.8 .

 

What all vehicles have the same rear end, I know explorers do, anything else though?