1968 F100 Ranger needs advice on swapping rear end...

[BrotherMabe]

My '68 Ranger has a 3-speed manual transmission.
This is the book info:
WDM-S Ford Pickup '63-'72 F-100 3.25 9 in NL 28

(Whatever "NL" means)

My question is: What is the easiest way to get positive traction in this rear end set-up?

Some say buy a 28-spline "limited slip" unit.
Some say buy a Detroit Locker 28-spline unit.
Some have even told me to go with a Ford 8.8 rear end out of a 92-94 Ranger and it will have everything I need already in it?

I just want the easiest, least expensive route.
Since my know-how and funds are limited.
Any experienced advice would be appreciated.

[sargentrs]

from Georgia! Your cheapest route would be at a salvage yard. These models/years were know to contain the Eaton limited slip differential. Locate the ID tag on the differential and looks for the letter L. Not all will have the limited slip so find one with the ID tag to be sure. Be advised, depending on the year, they may have 31 spline axles instead of the 28 spline in our trucks. Rebuild kits for these are available for a modest cost. I got this info from a search on RockAuto.com so I'm not 100% sure.

EATON TT912A580 Differential True Trac 28 spline

FORD E-100 (1968 - 1974)
FORD FAIRLANE (1962 - 1967)
FORD FAIRMONT 1978
FORD FALCON (1964 - 1970)
FORD GRAN TORINO (1972 - 1976)
FORD GRANADA (1975 - 1978)
FORD LTD (1965 - 1978)
FORD MAVERICK (1970 - 1977)
FORD MUSTANG (1964 - 1973)
FORD MUSTANG II (1974 - 1978)
FORD PINTO (1971 - 1980)
FORD RANCHERO (1964 - 1978)
FORD TORINO (1968 - 1971)
MERCURY BOBCAT (1975 - 1980)
MERCURY CAPRI (1970 - 1978)
MERCURY COMET (1962 - 1977)
MERCURY COUGAR (1967 - 1970)
MERCURY ZEPHYR 1978

EATON TT913A586 Differential True Trac 31 spline

FORD BRONCO (1966 - 1986)
FORD E-100 (1968 - 1983)
FORD E-150 (1979 - 1988)
FORD E-250 (1975 - 1980)
FORD F-100 (1960 - 1983)
FORD F-150 (1975 - 1987)
FORD FAIRLANE (1957 - 1970)
FORD FALCON (1960 - 1970)
FORD GALAXIE (1959 - 1974)
FORD GRAN TORINO (1972 - 1976)
FORD GRANADA (1975 - 1979)
FORD LTD (1965 - 1979)
FORD MAVERICK (1970 - 1977)
FORD MUSTANG (1965 - 1973)
FORD RANCHERO (1957 - 1979)
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1955 - 1979)
FORD TORINO (1968 - 1971)
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (1958 - 1979)
LINCOLN MARK III (1968 - 1971)
MERCURY COMET (1964 - 1977)
MERCURY COUGAR (1967 - 1979)
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS (1975 - 1980)

I went with the PowerTrax No Slip in mine for about $500. Installation is a breeze but I'd have a professional set the gears.

[papabug71]

to the site!

NL stands for "non-locking"

I wouldn't mess with the 8.8 rear. The 9" is a true semi-float axle while the 8.8 is a C-clip axle.

The easiest way to lock the rear would be to put a spool or mini spool in it. They can be had for cheap thru vendors such as Summit. However, with a spooled rear end, the rear axles will be completely locked & turn at the same speed thus making daily driving (making sharp turns) difficult & hard on the rear end.

I would go with a setup like sargentrs mentioned for good performance & good street manners. The powertrax units are made by Richmond & seem to be popular.

[ultraranger]

There were (2) optional Ford differentials produced in the bump side half ton pickups that directed power to both rear axles. Through 1968, it would have been the Limited-Slip differential. From 1969 (1969-1985), the much improved differential was known as the Traction-Lok.

Most Ford half ton pickup 9-inch rears through 1972 had 28-spline axles. Most Ford half ton truck 9-inch rears from 1973-1985 had 31-spline axles. The truck 9-inch housing widths changed over the years but any Ford 9-inch 3rd member will fit any 9-inch rear end housing (truck or car), so long as the axle spline count of the differential matches the spline count of the axles.

Limited-Slip/Traction-Lok differentials can be hard to locate in the wrecking yards. 28-spline are harder to find than 31-spline but you may get lucky if you are trying to locate a wrecking yard donor.

If previous owners haven't changed out 3rd members/rear end assemblies and haven't swapped out the drivers side door, a quick way to determine if the donor truck has a locking differential is to look on the drivers side door tag under the "Axle" code. If there are (2) digits, 08, 09 or 17, for example, then the rear end has an open (single track) differential. If the axle code has an alpha-numeric , A2 or H4, for example, then the differential is a Limited-Slip or Traction-Lok (depending on what year model the vehicle is).

Best I can remember, '67-'72 Ford trucks with an 'A' in the axle code denotes 28-splines. An 'H' in the '73-'85 models denotes 31-splines.

If the tag is still attached to the rear end's 3rd member, a '3. 50' , for example, indicates an open differential. If the rear end tag reads '3L50', then it has either a Limited-Slip or Traction-Lok differential (again, it depends on the year model which differential type it would be).

[Art]

Most Ford half ton pickup 9-inch rears through 1972 had 28-spline axles. Most Ford half ton truck 9-inch rears from 1973-1985 had 31-spline axles. The truck 9-inch housing widths changed over the years but any Ford 9-inch 3rd member will fit any 9-inch rear end housing (truck or car), so long as the axle spline count of the differential matches the spline count of the axles.

Limited-Slip/Traction-Lok differentials can be hard to locate in the wrecking yards. 28-spline are harder to find than 31-spline but you may get lucky if you are trying to locate a wrecking yard donor.

If previous owners haven't changed out 3rd members/rear end assemblies and haven't swapped out the drivers side door, a quick way to determine if the donor truck has a locking differential is to look on the drivers side door tag under the "Axle" code. If there are (2) digits, 08, 09 or 17, for example, then the rear end has an open (single track) differential. If the axle code has an alpha-numeric , A2 or H4, for example, then the differential is a Limited-Slip or Traction-Lok (depending on what year model the vehicle is).

Best I can remember, '67-'72 Ford trucks with an 'A' in the axle code denotes 28-splines. An 'H' in the '73-'85 models denotes 31-splines.

If the tag is still attached to the rear end's 3rd member, a '3. 50' , for example, indicates an open differential. If the rear end tag reads '3L50', then it has either a Limited-Slip or Traction-Lok differential (again, it depends on the year model which differential type it would be).

This is all very good (accurate) information. Many older cars used the 28 spline unit as well - look for a letter code on the tag.. Don't overlook the vans, I have pulled my share of traction-loks out of them too!

I would like to add that my preference for used gearsets is to find one that is factory original. If it has been worked on it may be worse off than before, as many people do not understand what is critical when putting these things back together. There are countless examples of failed parts out there that are 'but it was just rebuilt...'.

If the person that worked on it cannot immediately and clearly explain to you what pinion depth, backlash, and pinion & carrier bearing preload are - the specs as well as how each is adjusted - do not buy anything from them. Make sure whoever works on your stuff is qualified... Buy a factory service manual and read it... In the long run, you will be money ahead!

[papabug71]

Best I can remember, '67-'72 Ford trucks with an 'A' in the axle code denotes 28-splines. An 'H' in the '73-'85 models denotes 31-splines.

Steve, that sounds about right. I have a '74 dentside (parts truck) with the A2 rear end. Limited slip 3:70 with 28 spline shafts. It was originally a 240 6 banger 3 on the tree truck but was sporting a blown 80's era 351w when I got it. The 3:70 rear is going to compliment my build nicely!

[Art]

Best I can remember, '67-'72 Ford trucks with an 'A' in the axle code denotes 28-splines. An 'H' in the '73-'85 models denotes 31-splines.

Steve, that sounds about right. I have a '74 dentside (parts truck) with the A2 rear end. Limited slip 3:70 with 28 spline shafts. It was originally a 240 6 banger 3 on the tree truck but was sporting a blown 80's era 351w when I got it. The 3:70 rear is going to compliment my build nicely!

If I remember right, the letter series (A,B,C,D, etc...) designates the axle weight capacity. Not necessarily in order either! Lighter capacity axles were 28 spline in the era where both were available. Bumpside trucks were exclusively 28 spline from my experience.

[ultraranger]

Best I can remember, '67-'72 Ford trucks with an 'A' in the axle code denotes 28-splines. An 'H' in the '73-'85 models denotes 31-splines.

Steve, that sounds about right. I have a '74 dentside (parts truck) with the A2 rear end. Limited slip 3:70 with 28 spline shafts. It was originally a 240 6 banger 3 on the tree truck but was sporting a blown 80's era 351w when I got it. The 3:70 rear is going to compliment my build nicely!

If I remember right, the letter series (A,B,C,D, etc...) designates the axle weight capacity. Not necessarily in order either! Lighter capacity axles were 28 spline in the era where both were available. Bumpside trucks were exclusively 28 spline from my experience.

I forget trucks (unlike old Ford cars --particularly the old Mustangs) list the front axle rating codes on the door tags under
the Axle heading of the tag. The cars don't have the 3rd letter for the (front) axle rating.

In the case of the trucks, the front axle code letter comes AFTER the double digit or after the alpha-numeric rear axle
code.
An example might be; A2L. The A2 would be the rear end code (in this case, 28-spline, locking differential, 3.70:1 ratio).
The L would be the front axle rating code letter.

An 08L under the Axle heading of the door tag would denote an open (single track) differential with 3.50:1 gears. Again, the L is the rating for the front axle.