Rear diff locks help
 

Ok so I have a 99 ford ranger with a normal rear axle. It spins the easiest tire to move and in off-road applications this isn't the best. So I thought it would be a good idea to get a selectable locker (one that I can choose to be on or off at my demand). I was wondering how much it would cost and where I could get it from thanks

You probably want a Limited Slip(L/S) differential vs. a Locker

Limited slip(GM calls it Posi-traction) allows each rear wheel to turn at a different speed, like when you go around a corner, but both wheels get power all the time.

Open(regular) differential is when only one wheel gets the power.

A Locker does what it says, it locks both axles together so both must turn at the same speed, making cornering on a hard surface difficult, one wheel will start scuffing, or even worse, something will break.
On gravel or dirt it is OK, so really only for off road use.

On your drivers door there is a Label that will tell you what you have now.
Like "axle 86"
Which would be an open 7.5" with 3.73 ratio differential

Look here to look up what you have: Ford 7.5 & 8.8 Inch Axle Tag & Door Codes

Since you have 2 wheel drive you can also change the ratio if you want when you change the differential.

You can swap the whole rear end or just the guts of the differential, your choice.

If you really want a Locker then google: POWERTRAX LOCK-RIGHT
This can be install on open differential and is an "automatic locker" so similar to Limited Slip/posi-traction

I am actually looking into the same thing myself, 99 ford ranger too. I dont know this stuff well. The limited slip sounds better. I go fishing a lot and would like to get both spinning so I can avoid getting stuck the best I can. Wish it was 4x4 :/. What would be best to help from getting stuck? Will it affect my mileage?

No, won't effect mileage.

A set of tire chains don't take up much room

Google: sand ramps

These are handy for getting unstuck or getting over deep narrow ruts if you get the solid ones.
But a few free "welcome mats" work as well for mud and sand, lol


More costly but will get you out of pretty much any "situation", a portable 12volt winch.

General rule of thumb for a vehicle winch is that you need a winch that can handle at least 1.5 times vehicle weight.
Rangers are about 4,000lbs so a 6,000 to 8,000lbs rated winch.
And portable so you can pull from front or back

A Good Limited Slip will enable a Ranger to go anywhere. Ford Racing Makes a bullet-proof L/S called the Trac-Lok (Traction Lock). They're harder to find for 28 Spline axles (Unless you've got an FX4 or Explorer Axle, You'll need a 28 Spline).

The easiest method would be to acquire an explorer axle. It comes with a stock L/S with 4.10 Gears, perfect for any application a Ranger would see. In my personal truck I installed a Trac-Lok in my current rear-axle.

I beg to differ, there are plenty of places my limited slip will not take me and I have to engage my locker.

On the trail there is now substitute for a locking diff. Most ls diffs work by friction or torque multiplication and you can't multiply 0. So if you plan to be in situations where one tire is on a low traction surface ( in a deep hole or in the air) you need a locker. A limited slip will be fantastic the other 99% of the time.

This is why I went selectable with my auburn Ected. Full time limited slip with an electric "lock" feature.

I like options that's why I have a ls front diff, locking rear, winch, hi lift and Maxtrax sand ladders.

I won't argue with you there. I was basing my statement that most guys won't be taking trails they know they won't be able to handle.

Well im not gonna go crazy trailing haha. Just to get to a good fishing spot knowing my truck isnt 4x4 and all. I know the gravel is loose, so I just want to help it out. Thanks for all the input, love it.

I do also plan on getting a winch. Just not priority right now haha

Winch is a nice comfort product, but read reviews and don't get a cheap one.
Only thing worse than not having a winch when you need one is having a winch that won't pull you out, lol.

Next worse is having a winch with nothing around to anchor it to.
You can make a "dead man anchor" with a shovel(something you should have) and a spare tire, or ??, buried deep enough.

You can also carry a 5′ breaker bar and heavy hammer, breaker bar is handy for many things but it can also be pounded into the ground at an angle and used as an anchor.

There are also products like "Pull-Pal" that are pretty much "plug n play" anchors.

Attachment 77584 How do I know what to get? Other info in my sig

+1 limited slips are pretty much useless offroad

On the door label at the bottom you have AXLE 86

That means:
86 = open 7.5" with 3.73 ratio

You would want to find wrecking yard Ranger with an F6 on the label:
F6 = L/S 7.5" with 3.73 ratio

Or Bronco 2 with D4 on label:
D4 = L/S 7.5" with 3.73 ratio

Ya we'll I primarily get stuck in sand and want to be able to I trough it without trouble so I thought the locker would be way more affective than the limited slip

Actually a portable air compressor would be better for sand.

Reduce tire pressure to 12-15psi, you will then stay on top of the sand and not dig in.
Portable compressor is to re-inflate tires when the fun is over and real roads are encountered

I have no idea what Im looking for online... I want to buy one, then have someone put it on. Can you all link me please to some good ones at reasonable prices please

This what Im looking for?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/au...d/model/ranger