LSD differential... Success!

[Eric0508]

So I tackled the differential swap this weekend. The bearing were going out on my old diff and the LSD was a "might as well" project. The whole project went alot smoother than i anticipated, without a hiccup.

Out with the old 3.31:

Tip for those attempting this, you dont have to press out the half shaft from the knuckle like the repair manual implies. I removed the rotor and the caliper bracket though just to make it easier to handle

In with the new 3.58 w/ LSD:

Sorry, no pics of it mounted yet, it was getting late.
On a difficulty scale, i would rate this as 6/10. The job is much easier with two people.

 

[FASTLLS]

Nice

 

[cammerfe]

Sorry, no pics of it mounted yet, it was getting late.
On a difficulty scale, i would rate this as 6/10. The job is much easier with two people.

Details on the swapped-in 'pig' please!

KS

 

[Eric0508]

Bought the used carrier assembly off of ebay, it's a 3.58 from a "low-mileage" 2000, i think it had like 35,000 mi. or something. It was actually in really nice shape, especially only paying $125 for it.

The LSD is a 8.8" 28 spline from a "low-mileage" newer mustang. When i got the LSD, it was anything but pristine, the gears were pitted and visibly worn. I spent the money and had the driveline shop rebuild it for me with re-manufactured gears and aftermarket clutch packs. The bearings are all oem.

After it was all said and done, I was very pleased with the work they did and would definitely reccomend them to anyone here looking to get a similar project done. The project was a little more money than I anticipated, but most of that came from having the LSD rebuilt before putting it in. If i were to do it again, i wouldnt risk buying a Trac-loc from ebay, just get one thats already been rebuilt.

 

[FASTLLS]

For the rebulid kit, it's almost better to buy it new.. Unless you can find a used one for very cheap..

 

[Lincoln Luebbe]

My 06 has a 3.58 in it stock, what am I missing here? What year is your LS?

 

[Eric0508]

its a 2000. A few early 2000's had the 3.58 ratio, but every other one until 2003 had the 3.31 rear end.

 

[StackZzz LS]

its a 2000. A few early 2000's had the 3.58 ratio, but every other one until 2003 had the 3.31 rear end.

How do you know which has which?? Mines a 2000 also..

 

[Eric0508]

You can tell by the vin number or the tag on the back of the pumpkin, i don't remember which denotes which but if you search on here that info is there. But only very early manufactured 2000's had the 3.58

 

[Right on the Mark]

My 06 has a 3.58 in it stock, what am I missing here? What year is your LS?

He also had gear guys add a POSI (lsd) unit out of a mustang. No Lincolns come with POSI's.And please peeps don't bother commenting on my use of the word POSI.

 

[FASTLLS]

looking at the tag is easier.. It says it right on there..

 

[Lincoln Jealous]

so its not good to buy the trac loc lsd and replace that with the old differential?

 

[FASTLLS]

That's what he did.. Except he bought a whole center section so he had less down time..

 

[Eric0508]

so its not good to buy the trac loc lsd and replace that with the old differential?

No that's fine. I just wanted to upgrade the gear ratio. That with the time savings from having a ready unit made it a no brainer to just get another carrier assembly.

 

[1meanmark]

so how did you fit a 8.8 trac an gears into the ls pumkin? i thought the ls had an 8.0" carrier? or is there something im missing had i'd love to be able tp put gears in my next ls

 

[Eric0508]

so how did you fit a 8.8 trac an gears into the ls pumkin? i thought the ls had an 8.0" carrier? or is there something im missing had i'd love to be able tp put gears in my next ls

The LS does have a 8.0" carrier. The trac-loc is from a mustang, it fits perfectly. The 3.58 gears were already in the stock LS carrier I bought, they are a stock gear set. The trac-loc bolts right to the LS ring gear.

 

[FASTLLS]

The LS has the gear size of a 8.0 and the bolt pattern of a 8.8

 

[1meanmark]

o ok that was an odd question i was wondering about for some time nice to know. now when the next ls is purchased i can.. wait any 8.8 gears can be used or only 8.0 gears?

 

[FASTLLS]

Neither.. 8.8 gears are too big for the case and 8.0 have the wrong bolt patteren..

Only LS gears can be used in the LS housing.. You can gear by taking that center section off your Mark and putting it on the LS.. :shifty:

 

[cammerfe]

VIII Punkin

Neither.. 8.8 gears are too big for the case and 8.0 have the wrong bolt patteren..

Only LS gears can be used in the LS housing.. You can gear by taking that center section off your Mark and putting it on the LS.. :shifty:

I'm under the impression that an aluminum carrier from a MK VIII, complete with limited slip, is a bolt-in to the LS. Can someone confirm this? Or deny if that's appropriate!

KS

 

[FASTLLS]

I'm under the impression that an aluminum carrier from a MK VIII, complete with limited slip, is a bolt-in to the LS. Can someone confirm this? Or deny if that's appropriate!

KS

Correct.. But a new front brace and modified DS will need to be added..

Not to thread steal, but would you be interested in a meet next summer?

 

[cammerfe]

Correct.. But a new front brace and modified DS will need to be added..

Not to thread steal, but would you be interested in a meet next summer?

Let's see if we can set that up!!

KS

 

[scjmc]

How much actual difference in acceleration does the 3.58 offer over the 3.31? It is about an 8% differance in gearing. When I put a police interceptor in my old 98 crown vic the PI package came with an aluminum drive shaft. That allowed higher gears to be ran. I went from 2.79 to 3.31 (or real close to that) and that really woke the car up. It is a much smaller gearing differance on the LS though... This is an upgrade I would like to do, so input from anyone who has done it would be apreciated!!

 

[FASTLLS]

Let's see if we can set that up!!

KS

Scoopa said he would.. I may be going to Detroit this summer because my cousin has a hook up for a dyno.. Just seeing if you guys are interested because if not, there is one closer that I can go to..

 

[Eric0508]

I'd be interested in a meet somewhere in the lower peninsula this summer.

As for the gearing upgrade, i'd say it made a noticible difference. The impact might be mitigated by me putting on my big heavy winter rims. I'd say the LSD was the upgrade of higher impact. Better launches here I come!

Oh and not having the constant drone of failing bearings is awesome.