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**sly** · 11-21-2011, 09:48 PM

you have a ford 8.8 rear end with 28 spline axles. ANYTHING made to fit that will work.

as for driving with a locker in other conditions... you just have to get used to driving with that kind of setup. it's not that hard of a switch either. a clutch pack (like the ford OE traction lock setup) is typically better for those with no experience with lockers (IIRC) because they don't totally lock it all together unless you totally break both tires loose. They will allow some slippage. I think the detroit lockers allow slippage to a point and then go hard together. The only bad thing about a locker is that it will reduce gas mileage a smidgen since they do create more friction then an open setup.

**davidwarner** · 11-21-2011, 10:09 PM

Hey Slymer,

Thanks for the awsome help and quick response. With the info you provided, I'm looking at the Detroit Locker (truetrack) from JEGS:

Just a moment...

http://www.jegs.com/i/Detroit-Locker/357/912A562/10002/-1?parentProductId=

Looks like I can get the locker for under $500 and possibly have it installed for another $200

Does that sound about right?

Anybody have sound advice on which locker to go with for mainly street use? And bearing in mind that my main purpose is to help get me through the snow drifts.

Thanks again

DW

**gadget73** · 11-21-2011, 11:28 PM

I would really suggest a clutch based carrier. its far more road-friendly. A solid locked axle will have problems on turns because the wheels cant run at different speeds. I've never driven one in the winter, but I can imagine its a real bitch to deal with. Its annoying enough on dry road when the outer tire is hopping off the road and chirping. A boring old Ford traction lock is a fair bit cheaper too. I have one of those in my Towncar, and with a half decent set of tires its a real beast in the winter. I'll also toss out the suggestion for a set of snow tires if you don't already have a set. That may actually do you more good than any changes to the rear diff.

**sly** · 11-22-2011, 12:28 AM

I'm with gadget on this one... the rebuild kit comes with all the parts to make an open diff into a clutch based locking diff and costs about $400 less.

full carrier and all (will probably require re-shimming the carrier bearings) - http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...k-Differential

rebuild kit (add these parts to the open diff to make it a track-lok diff) - http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...h-Carbon-Discs

**1987cp** · 11-22-2011, 12:54 AM

^ Um... that says it's to upgrade your normal Trak-Lok to '03-'04 Cobra guts, not to convert an open diff.

I've often thought a Powertrax diff seemed tempting, especially since it appears to install directly in place of the spider gears with no fancy setup required. Though, I recall some people claiming it retained some of the streetability issues alleged to occur with an old-style full locker.

Thain, that Truetrac the OP linked to is the gear-type limited slip that Blaze86Vic spoke so highly of. He claimed it was a great compromise between a clutch-type limited slip and a full locker. And maybe I'm misreading your post, but you seem to be confusing a locking diff with a spool? :confused:

OP: I manage OK here in the Lansing area, despite my open diff, with just a decent set of tires and some sandbags in the trunk. First winter after getting my Vic was rough since I'd been used to a wagon, which might as well be 4WD compared to a sedan. And to be fair, I currently have a set of old wagon springs in the back of my Vic, which along with the ballast may help press the wheels into the snow better than the stock P72 rear springs seemed to do even with the same ballast.

As for tires, I own a set of Kumho Venture light duty off-road tires, but last winter I did surprisingly well when I tried the plain old Goodyear RS-As I'd picked up a while back. It helped a lot in terms of safety when I fixed the situation where the aging stock brake proportioning valve was sending very little pressure to the rear brakes.

**davidwarner** · 11-22-2011, 03:16 AM

Hmmm, more to think about and research. I was under the impression that the Detroit Truetrac would allow some 'limited' slip in turns so that road behaviour would not bee too bad. I definatly do not want a full time fully locked diff (Is that what a spool is?)

Slymer - the rebuild kit you reference looks intersting (and cheaper) but I'm not familier with the term 'carrier' and don't know what a clurtch based carrier is vs any orhter type of locking sytem.

The tires I have are Firestone Winterforce. I've used them in the past with great results on my front wheel drive Buick Century (which is off road this winter with a blown head gasket). The Grand Marquis was strictly a summer car but I'm now forced to useing it year round. I'm not sure what springs I have in the rear suspension; I can only assume that it is stock.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I would appreciate any further comments that can help me out while I continue to struggle with the terminology.

**davidwarner** · 11-22-2011, 03:47 AM

I just came across this informative site which may be interesting to anybody following this thread.

Limited-slip differential - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential

**davidwarner** · 11-22-2011, 04:06 AM

Seems like the Eaton E locker would be ideal in my situation but the cost ($900+) is prohibitive. I wonder whay the 'E' locker for my car is hundreds more than an E locker for other makes? A mechanicaly actuated locker would be good but my intial search didn't bring anything like that up.

Perhaps I ruff it out for this year and save up for the E locker next year.

**P72Ford** · 11-22-2011, 08:06 AM

Detroit Lockers can be lazy on the 'unlock' side, especially with an automatic transmission. In tight maneuvering, such as a parking lot, it may bark the tires a little until it unlocks. But they are great traction units.

The True Trac is a helical gear system. Just as smooth as a clutch type unit, and arguably more durable.

**davidwarner** · 11-22-2011, 08:43 AM

Would anybody have an opinion if the 'E' locker is worth the extra cash?

Slymer indicated that my Diff is an 8.8" / 28 spline (for 91 Grand Marquis). I have a summit catalog that list a 9" / 28 spline (may be a stupid question) but is that the same as 8.8" application? The only Ford application 8.8" I see listed is 31 spline.

Thanks again

DW

**SVT98t** · 11-22-2011, 08:54 AM

I live in the Buffalo, NY area, so I know what type of snow you're dealing with.
I put a Ford Trac-Lok in my 93 with the Winterforce tires. That has to be about one of the best combinations of all time. I think it's the best. I love it.
You can probably pick up a use 28 spline Trac-Lok on eBay or Cragslist, buy the rebuild kit, and then have a shop do the rebuild and install. You'll save some cash and it will work for what you want it to. I saved a bunch of cash on mine, and rebuilt and installed it myself.
I still get 28mpg highway, so I don't believe it takes much away from mileage. But, then it all depends of the condition of your car.
I would worry about the wet conditions. Unless you're hammereing through every turn, you should have to worry about the back end coming around.
Good luck!!

-ryan s.

**johnunit** · 11-22-2011, 09:15 AM

I agree with what has basically been said so far:

In snow and ice, a reasonably good-condition Trac-lok is basically a locker. The only time a locker will "lock" and a clutch type like a trac-lok or posi-traction (GM's term) won't is in a high-traction situation. Basically, asphalt or grippier. In snow, even my worn out trac-lok spins both rears consistently. If you put in a locker, it'll be harder to find parts, harder to sell in the future, harder to drive around corners in the rain, etc.

Do you know what axle ratio and code you have? You may already have a (completely worn out) trac-lok unit, which would make it pretty cheap to get full trac-lok functioning going.

I'd personally go with a Ford dealer or ford-performance specific shop for most rear-end stuff, but that's not to say you can't find a general mechanic with the requisite knowhow.

What snow tires are you running? Some are far, far better than others.

Frankly, if a locker was a big advantage over a limited-slip in the snow, it'd have been an option up here in Canada. Ignoring the high-performance muscle cars where it was also available in the US, it wasn't.

**SVT98t** · 11-22-2011, 11:04 AM

He runs the Winterforce tires as well.

-ryan s.

**davidwarner** · 11-22-2011, 11:14 AM

Thanks All, I'll look into the Trac-Lok and try and see whayt that's about.

I was also looking at Jeep Forum talking about a Powertrax instalation. It seems that Richmond PowerTrax also makes a unit that will fit my car. But a poster here ( http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/po...ite-up-433172/) warns that breaking axles will occur with stock axles.

Is that something to consider as well for a street use vehicle? If I install some sort of traction enhancing diff do I run the risk of breaking my axles? Would I also need to upgrade the axles?

Again, thanks for your thoughts

DW

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