Ejohnson

My '89 ext cab F150 has a 5.8L/C6 with the stock 3.55 open rear and a 235/75R15 tire. I have a junk 2000 Explorer with the 8.8" and a 3.73 Trac-Loc. Can I swap out the carriers? Are the splines the same?
If I do it, will I see a big increase in the cruise rpm? I don't have OD, and with the 3.55's, I'm hitting 3000rpm's at 70mph.
Should I go to a 30x9.5x15 tire to drop down the rpm's?
The whole reason I'm considering this is because this truck spins waay too easily with the open rear. In the rain, I spin off every stop light. And, I might end up driving it this winter (it's first encounter with snow & salt).

Crownman

Going from a 3.55 to a 3.73 you'll be around 200 rpm higher. The carrier will swap right over just don't forget the pinion gear. However, before installing the carrier double check that it's a 31 spline carrier. The explorer should be a 31 spline but I've run into a couple that had rear end work done and the shop put in 28 spline parts. So just double check to be 100% sure.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

If you just swap in the trac lok and keep the gears you have, it'll be way less of a job.