Limited Slip Differential Conversion
01-16-2019, 09:55 PM
#21
Senior Member
The axles looked fine. I'd just read a bunch of threads about "axle saver" bearings or whatever they're called and was aware of the wear issues so gave them a close look. No need. The truck had 75,000 miles and looked overall in great shape when I got it, and I did the diff swap at 76,000. I think it saw a lot of highway miles. It has 86,000 now and no problems with the diff or axles. I'm most worried about the cover leaking because I used orange Permatex.
I am way down on the "do as little as necessary" end of the spectrum. Lift back end, remove wheels, remove diff cover, inspect parts, replace parts, reassemble. My truck is the minimum of trucks. It's a tool.
I am way down on the "do as little as necessary" end of the spectrum. Lift back end, remove wheels, remove diff cover, inspect parts, replace parts, reassemble. My truck is the minimum of trucks. It's a tool.
01-16-2019, 10:36 PM
#22
2003 F150 specs
The 5 lugs will help you by knowing the 6 lug axles are off the table if doing a full swap out if shopping off eBay, Craigslist, etc. I did the full swap out on a F-600 from a driveable junker donor in the driveway by jacking up the rear of the truck and dropping the drive shaft and U bolts and rolling it out by myself. In that case I swapped them so we could tow the donor to the woods for parts later. One in a wreck where it was totalled out may cost about $200 for the owner to buy it back if you can get lucky to find one that will move. Actually it is not hard to estimate its health by just feeling of the lost motion. Some junk ones may not have the miles the truck is showing if it has been replaced over the years.
Best of luck in finding a solution. The sad part if the truck gets totalled out the money spent is a total loss naturally. Upgrading trucks may not be easy if you want to have a manual transmission.
The 5 lugs will help you by knowing the 6 lug axles are off the table if doing a full swap out if shopping off eBay, Craigslist, etc. I did the full swap out on a F-600 from a driveable junker donor in the driveway by jacking up the rear of the truck and dropping the drive shaft and U bolts and rolling it out by myself. In that case I swapped them so we could tow the donor to the woods for parts later. One in a wreck where it was totalled out may cost about $200 for the owner to buy it back if you can get lucky to find one that will move. Actually it is not hard to estimate its health by just feeling of the lost motion. Some junk ones may not have the miles the truck is showing if it has been replaced over the years.
Best of luck in finding a solution. The sad part if the truck gets totalled out the money spent is a total loss naturally. Upgrading trucks may not be easy if you want to have a manual transmission.
01-24-2019, 07:56 AM
#23
FWIW I did this 4 years ago. I had an open dif. Bought a used slip diff off ebay. New ring and pinion and all the other stuff. Don't be too intimidated about the job. It's not rocket science. Plenty of info how to do it online.
01-24-2019, 08:25 AM
#24
Senior Member
I did the opposite. Lsd to open a few years ago. Pulled the carrier from the junkyard. Reused the bearings that where on it already after inspection. Swapped my crown gear over then assembled everything and checked the pattern. It was so close to orginal I just ran it. Less then 150$, however i lucked out but I was also prepared to do a full rebuild once i opened it up.
