Ok so over winter break this year I plan on swapping out the open diff on my ranger for a locker of some sort. I still have to pick one out(suggestions would be appreciated). Is it necessary to disconnect the driveshaft and remove the pinion gear assembly or can I leave that all in? as far as swapping the diff itself I think I can handle it. I have a buddy who has done it to his truck already so That will be a big help. I was looking to get a Powertrax Lock-Right diff. Whats your alls opinion on them? Also do I need and new seals when doing this? I appreciate all the help and sorry if this is a repost of somewhere else. Couldn't really find another post like this.
Useful info:
7.5 axel
3.73 gears
4x2 2004 XLT
Manual trans

 

You don't have to pull the pinion or disconnect the driveshaft if you're just pulling the differential assembly. If you're changing the gears, you will have to pull the pinion out.

 

If you are only doing a lunch-box locker like a No-Slip, then you will have to pull the cover, the drums, the c-clips, spider gears, cross pin and retaining bolt. None of which is overly hard and will be covered in the install manual that comes with the locker.

But if you buy a full carrier locker, or need to change the ring and pinion, you would be better off taking it to a diff shop.

 

I'm not re-gearing anything. I want to pull the open and put a powertrax locker in. Is that what you mean by 'lunchbox locker'?

 

Yes a lunchbox locker is a locker design that occupies the space that was once occupied by the spider gears. They usually are fist sized and don't require any specialist differential work/tools and can be installed by the everyday side mechanic.

Lunchbox locker, inside the stock carrier (ignore the fact that the carrier is removed from the housing, sometimes it is necessary):



Full carrier replacement locker (this one is an ARB) and requires transferring the ring gear to it from the stock carrier and also a special tool to check backlash and possible shimming:

 

Ok sweet. I thought this was the process but some other videos/threads talked about removing everything. Really don't want to if I don't have to. Thanks for the pics and advice Evan. I appreciate it!