Open and Trac-lock Carriers (How to Tell?)

[Freshmeat]

Once a cover is removed, how do I tell whether the carrier is trac-lock or open? I found an Explorer at the yard with 3.73s. I could nab them for $20, but I'm curious whether the carrier is open or trac-lock. The cover was removed and the tag is gone, so I don't know how to tell.

I looked for shims/clutches, but couldn't find anything. It appears to look like my open carrier, but I don't know how similar they look. I do know there is some sort of S-shaped spring holding the spider gears out... not sure if that means anything...

...and I tried to hold one axle while letting the other spin, but didn't have any pry bars with me to lock it into place and even my open carrier is strong enough to spin both tires if I try to hold one with my hand.

Pictures would be the ultimate assistance.
Thanks!

[88grandmarq]

the big S spring in the middle of the spider gears is the first give away.

the clutch ears should be visible too.

[Archangel]

Ya, the S-spring is what applies pressure to the clutches and causes the limited slip action. If it has an S-spring it's a limited slip.

[p71towny]

How long has the cover been off?

[Freshmeat]

Only a few days. It wasn't off last time I went last week. I think they were stealing the bolts or something. The cover was right there on the ground- guts weren't touched at all. I want the 3.73s and I know I could make a few bucks on a trac-lock carrier. Too bad Exploders were 31-spline.

I'm tempted to see if any F-150/Exploder axle shafts were the same length as Panther shafts... that'd be an awesome junk yard upgrade. Not hard to redrill flanges if you know the right people.

[88grandmarq]

pull the axles first and check.... I wasnt aware explorers were 31 spline.

[RoyLPita]

It does not take much to change the spider gears to 28 spline.

[Freshmeat]

Roy- what do you know about changing the spider gears? I tried to look it up a while back and no one had any answers. Have you done this before? Would I need 28-spline trac-lock spiders or could I use my open carrier spiders?

88grandmarq- yes, '94+ Explorers are 31-spline. Explorer axles are gold among the 4x4 guys.

[RoyLPita]

Mustang 8.8 Traction-Lok differentials have 28 spline spider gears. They also interchange with the case. You cannot use the open diff spider gears because there will be nothing for the clutches to hook on to.

When it comes to changing the spider gears, it is the same as if you are changing the clutches. You must remove the S-spring 1st.

[Freshmeat]

So I need to find the spiders from a 28-spline trac-lock first. Okay... I'll dig around the junk yard and see what I can find. They have a few 3.27 T/L Panthers in the yard, so I can take the spiders from those. I just know that I won't be able to get the ring gear off the T/L carrier and they'll charge me for the ring if I try to take it, too. How do I get the spiders out? Once I remove the S-spring, the gears should fall out, yes? (as long as I already have the axles out)...

[RoyLPita]

After the following parts are out (spider gear shaft, c-clips, axles, S-spring) turn on of the side spider gears around until the other 2 come around to be removed. You will needs those 2 also. Then the sides can be removed. Did you also want 3.73 gears, too?
If not, then just get the carrier of the Panther car.
OR
If so, then have fun getting the pinion out. It is on there tight.

[Freshmeat]

Okay- I made some phone calls and I'm getting two free traclock carriers. One is a 31-spline and the other is a 28-spline. The 31-spline is good, but needs 28-spline gears. The other is a 28 that had to be cut up for one reason or another and has good spiders in it. Now I just need to find the 3.73s I want.

[gadget73]

Another quick, easy way to tell is to just rotate the tire or axle. If both spin the same way, its a traction lock. If they spin opposite, its a standard open rear.