Gear change and Spartan Locker Install

[lonesouth]

I picked up a pair of front/rear diffs with 4.11 gears to swap from my 3.50s. I'm currently running 33x12.50 tires, C4, 351w, positrak rear, open front. I figure the 4.11s will bring back some pep, and since I'll have everything apart, it will be a good time to install a spartan locker in the rear. I went with the spartan because it reuses the side gears, which means I won't have to shell out another $300 when I upgrade to 31 spline axles, just need to get a pair of side gears for those axles.

I'm not expecting to get to this soon, but when I do, i'll try to take pics along the way.

 

[lonesouth]

Finally getting some movement on this. I had a stuck passenger caliper, so i figured now is as good a time as I'm going to have. Got the front end torn down to the knuckles, got new pinion seals and bearings to go with it.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

When you pull that gears, be sure to replace the inner axle seals. With everything out like you have it, now is the easiest time to do them once you pull the ring and pinion.

 

[ugly74]

Are you sure that Spartan reuses the side gears?

I just recently built a Dana 60 with a spartan, and it replaced the side gears.
I'm gonna go google it and see

 

[ugly74]

Well I'll be.... It does use the stock side gears!
Ya know, I learned something today....

Well it looks to be a worthwhile swap, to get the gearing.

 

[lonesouth]

Spartan will be going in the 9", front will remain open for now.

 

[MR-CYN]

I put my Spartan in my D44 front. So I don't have to have a locker going all the time. LSD in the rear. How can you drive it with a locker in the rear? Dirt roads only?

 

[lonesouth]

I put my Spartan in my D44 front. So I don't have to have a locker going all the time. LSD in the rear. How can you drive it with a locker in the rear? Dirt roads only?

Last bronco had a spool in the rear with 35"s. Only problem I had with it was chirping when turning into parking spots. I'm expecting the spartan to create some clicking, and that's about it, for around town driving.

 

[MR-CYN]

Last bronco had a spool in the rear with 35"s. Only problem I had with it was chirping when turning into parking spots. I'm expecting the spartan to create some clicking, and that's about it, for around town driving.

Holy F a spool on the street? You're an animal! I can't imagine what the Spartan will do on the pavement. Just locking mine up in the dirt is insane. Goodluck brother.

 

[lonesouth]

I'd like to have a selectable or TrueTrac up front, but that is for another time.

FWIW, the spool was mostly used offroad, and it was AMAZING, but I did make an occasional run to the store.

 

[Knuck]

My choice would be to have a Spartan in the Front and a Limited Slip in the rear.

 

[Teal68]

Last bronco had a spool in the rear with 35"s. Only problem I had with it was chirping when turning into parking spots. I'm expecting the spartan to create some clicking, and that's about it, for around town driving.

With the Spartan in the rear just let up on the gas when cornering and it will release the pressure so it can ratchet easily. You stay on the gas and it will take a good bit of force for it to ratchet.

I just did a Spartan in the front of mine before the SOWEGA trip and it it did not re-use the spider or side gears, or side gear shims for that matter. The 9" version must be different.

 

[Justafordguy]

I run a Grizzly locker in the rear and a Lock right drop in in the front. I love having lockers at both ends but I've learned two things about lockers. A locker in the rear takes a little getting used to on the street and a locker in the front will break stuff.

 

[lonesouth]

2.625 pinion depth for dana 44.
^^^^
for my own reference later.

Do I need to use new shims or can I reuse the old ones? The gears I'm swapping in are used 4.11 dana gears.

 

[Justafordguy]

You won't know what shims you need until you start the setup. You should probably get an assortment.

 

[JAFO]

Several places have the Lock Right on sale right now that fits the stock Bronco Dana 44. I picked one up for around $270. I put a lock right in the rear of my 96 Dodge back in 1998 (bought the Dodge new) and recently was changing the gear oil in the rear. Had the cover off and everything looks new inside. The locker looks fine.

 

[ugly74]

A locker in the rear takes a little getting used to on the street and a locker in the front will break stuff.

Man, you ain't kidding!

On my old beater '87 dodge w250 plow truck, I welded the rear years ago and that took some getting used to. I think full throttle through corners around town is actually less stressful on the driveline than trying to pussyfoot it. And downright spooky to drive in 2wd when the roads are a little slick.

And then last fall I installed a lock-right in the front. It did great, but developed a nasty habit of tearing the ears off of the axles. (They're mountain roads and it's pretty brutal)
I burned up all of my spares, and so that prompted me to build a dana60, with a spartan. We'll see how it holds up.

I tell you what, though.... (4) V-bar tire chains, and locked at both ends makes for a truck that just goes and goes and goes.

 

[Biohazard]

I have a detroit in the front and about to drop a spool in the rear. Won't see a lot of street so I should be good. GOod luck.

 

[Bigbeardbiii]

I have searched on here & did a Google search looking for either install pictures or preferably a video on a Spartan Locker install on a Ford 9' rear end. The closest thing I found was a YouTube video on a Ford 8.8" rear end.

However, it is too different for me to feel comfortable tearing down my rear end & not knowing what to do next. I was able to print off directions of the Spartan into a 9" but in reviewing them it is either a very simple install or there's a lot not listed in them. Since the 8.8" video I saw of the 8.8" had "C" Clips & the Spartan I got did not come with them, I assume that the 9" does not have them (?).

Therefore, does anyone that had performed the install have a video (preferred), or pictures that would upload them or send me a link?
Thanks

 

[lonesouth]

No C-clips on the 9".