parts for 3.73 install...

[merc91]

alright, I love my one legger 2.73's haha, but it's finally time to put in new gears and the "posi" unit.

-How is a Ford Racing Traction-Lok Unit? There $200 at summit racing and I'm just wondering how good of a job it will do. It won't be seeing more than 275hp and probably 3 years or so of service before a ford 9" goes in... but I want good, solid power transfer to both axles none the less.

-gears wise I'm thinking 3.73 ford racing gears or possibly Richmond.

-getting the full install kit with bearings and seals in it. Probly royal purple fluid and I need friction modifier from ford correct? And If i'm correct I should go with a purple speedo gear?

thanks

[Nathan in MI]

-How is a Ford Racing Traction-Lok Unit? There $200 at summit racing and I'm just wondering how good of a job it will do. It won't be seeing more than 275hp and probably 3 years or so of service before a ford 9" goes in... but I want good, solid power transfer to both axles none the less.

*cough*Stickies*cough*

-gears wise I'm thinking 3.73 ford racing gears or possibly Richmond.

I went with used gears when I did mine; you risk having them be a bit more noisy, but they're also significantly cheaper.

-getting the full install kit with bearings and seals in it.

Good plan.

Probly royal purple fluid and I need friction modifier from ford correct?

You'll need friction modifier additive unless the fluid comes with it in it already. Some of the less exotic brands do; I don't know about the RP. I'm really not sure that I would spend gazillions of dollars on Royal Purple diff fluid, but it's your wallet, not mine.

And If i'm correct I should go with a purple speedo gear?

No one knows for sure: Linktasticness

[1987cp]

Yuppers, you can save a bunch of money getting stuff used. Sometimes a whole lot of money. See if you can get a deal on a rebuilt Trak-Lok as well ... the one currently sitting in my basement cost me about $85 shipped.

Used Exploder 3.73 Trak-Loks come up on eBay for cheap from time to time, but they're set up for 31 spline axles and I haven't yet found out: 1) whether one can indeed just swap the side gears to convert to 28 spline, and 2) where to buy a set of 28 spline Trak Lok side gears for cheap.

[hav24wheel]

Mmmm. 3.73s. Lol. That's on my "to do" list too. I've been lookin for used. I'd say u could get used, and put in the new bearings. I do have to say that a trac loc isn't all that great though. Personally I'm going to get a locker for mine. But, that's not for everyone, and ur more likely to break a axle shaft that way.

[Lincolnmania]

stay away from the new ford racing gears.......they are made by motive gear in china and they are crap.........i actually prefer used factory 3.73's

[1987cp]

stay away from the new ford racing gears.......they are made by motive gear in china and they are crap.........i actually prefer used factory 3.73's

Can you actually swap the 31 spline side gears for 28 splines?

[88grandmarq]

Can you actually swap the 31 spline side gears for 28 splines?

uhhh... wut?

spline count of the side gears have nothing to do with the ring and pinion gear. plenty of factory 3.73 gears from explorers, rangers, aerostars and E/F-150's. just make sure its a 8.8 gear set and NOT from a 7.5 or 9.75

[88grandmarq]

stay away from the new ford racing gears.......they are made by motive gear in china and they are crap.........i actually prefer used factory 3.73's

damn man ... those 8 yr old chinese kids are working 16 hr days for your "quality" made gears. you could show a little more appreciation

[hav24wheel]

Hey, 88grandmarq,
1987cp was asking about the SIDE gears in a trac-loc to see it the 31 splines could be swapped fore the 28s. Mainly because if I get used gears witha trac-loc he would like to be able to swap side gears to use it in the 28 spline axle, as the pickups and such are lall 31 spline.

[88grandmarq]

as far as I know... the side gears should interchange. Keep in mind the 31spline carriers also have a larger spider gear cross pin, so you may have to change the spider gears and side gears as a kit.

A used Mustang track lock should be just as easy to find on e-bay, corral.net or stangnet

[P72Ford]

I believe Royal Purple comes with the friction modifier in it. I used it in my truck, but don't have any bottles left. It should say right on it.

I used RP because when I switched to RP manual tranny fluid, the result was great. The tranmission oil is "that good", so I tried the gear oil.

Scottmang did my 3.73s. They were used, and they are silent.

[Pirate]

Before I forget, it is possible to modify the Ford Racing differentials, by doing the 8-clutch mod....check with Scott and Tom for effectiveness.

I used RP because when I switched to RP manual tranny fluid, the result was great. The tranmission oil is "that good", so I tried the gear oil.

Ditto.

[merc91]

i've found a guy who knows his gears who will install all new bearings and seals and the gears for 300 labour. He has a good set of used 3.73's and limited slip unit that are genuine ford for $350 for both of those. He suggests going with all high end install parts and conventional fluid with the modifier additive. Yes i have been wondering about the 8 clutch mod and any comments would be great. all together it will run me around $1000. Keep in mind this is canada and everything is hugely overpriced hmhm.

[Nathan in MI]

i've found a guy who knows his gears who will install all new bearings and seals and the gears for 300 labour. He has a good set of used 3.73's and limited slip unit that are genuine ford for $350 for both of those. He suggests going with all high end install parts and conventional fluid with the modifier additive. Yes i have been wondering about the 8 clutch mod and any comments would be great. all together it will run me around $1000. Keep in mind this is canada and everything is hugely overpriced hmhm.

$350 for a used LSD and used 3.73s? Doesn't that seem a bit steep when you already stated that you can get a brand new diff from Ford for $200, and a used set of gears ought to run you $50 or less?

[merc91]

after i get that new unit and gears to canada it will run me around $330, and as people have pointed out, including the installer, that new ford racing stuff is over sea's crap. Ebay has a decent deal $130 for an 8 clutch rebuilt real ford unit, and the gears I can get for around $70 or so for a good used set. So it looks like i will go that route and it will run me around $275 or so to get it here. But the main thing is i know to get the used rebuilt real ford stuff rather than the cheep ford racing parts.