need to lock the back wheels...

[pipes1]

So I'm in Canada, weather is bad, and i don't want to get stuck. Anyone know where i can get just the Trac loc gears? so i dont have to put in a whole new rear end? i'm in a 01' MGM, with 2.73's and i just changed the axle shafts this summer and want to get some life out of them.

[DerekTheGreat]

You'd need the whole carrier but will be able to keep your gears. Rather than go through all that, my advice is Blizzak snow tires for your car. I gave mine to Ashley and while she doesn't have Trac Lok her car hasn't gotten stuck once. We're both really amazed at how big a difference snow tires make. With Trac Lok her car would be damn near unstoppable.

[jaywish]

Both snows & posi FTW.

Ford does not sell the posi carrier new for the 28 spline axles anymore. You need to get one used. They are reasonably common being the same in all 8.8" rears with 28 spline axles. Mustangs as well as panthers (up to 04) and light duty trucks? etc.

They require a moderate skill set to install properly.

I know you included the info in your post but you may want to add a "signature" with your car info. Also I think if you fill your location in the profile it will show what city or area you are in as someone close might have what you need or even offer to help.

jay

[HiFiMerc]

Snow tires. This is the 3rd winter I've had Blizzaks on my '92. Have yet to be stuck.

[jaywish]

imho posi with good all seasons is better then an open diff with snows. Though snow chains can get you out of a tough spot.

In my hilly city I had occasionally gotten stuck with opens and snows. Chains were needed to move.

I have not had to put the chains on since I added a posi carrier.

In either case snows are better then all seasons.

[pantera77]

Trac-lok and snows is the only way to go.

I hate open diffs in the snow.

[pipes1]

i actually have a set of great winters on right now, no problem for street driving, but big problem on the back roads and trails when screwing around with my buddies. i found a few 03' p71's in scrapyards in my area, with the 3.27 rear end, and one 1998 with the 3.27's, would both work? i should be able to tackle it myself, just went through changing out the axle shafts a few months ago (of course right when i finish i find some 3.27 axles in my area...) will i need the housing and everything? or just the gears, pin and carrier? And will anything panther up to 04' work ?

[gadget73]

The axle shafts are the same no matter what the gear ratio is.

If the 3.27 in the 98 is a limited slip, it will work. You will need both the ring gear and the pinion gear as a set. If its an open carrier, its not going to do anything for you that your current open rear doesn't in terms of traction. Limited slip carriers are rare on the round cars. They did exist, but the electronic traction control was more common, and I don't know that I've ever seen a car with both things installed.

[sly]

Both would work. They didn't go to 31 spline axles until 05 IIRC. The problem with swapping gears and carriers around is mounting the new ring and pinion and getting them located properly. Even if re-using your own gears, you will still need to re-shim as the track lock carrier is most likely going to have different dimensions by at least a few hundredths.

You only need the gears, Pinion & ring, Carrier and everything attached to them. You should probably replace all the bearings and seals associated with all of those parts and since you're already in there, check the axles for wear and replace them and the wheel bearings if needed.

[pipes1]

may sound dumb, but can i throw a whole 03' Axle on my 01 without modification? (i do have air ride)

[His Royal Ghostliness]

Even if re-using your own gears, you will still need to re-shim as the track lock carrier is most likely going to have different dimensions by at least a few hundredths.

That has not been my experience actually - Ford was VERY consistent with their differentials in these axles, most of the ones I've worked on the LSD dropped right in place of the factory open diff and both preload and pattern were spot-on. The few exceptions have been where either the factory side spacers were fucked with, or the one that I think the diff itself was out of spec as it was loose in both its original axle and the one it went in with new bearings.

[IPreferDIY]

may sound dumb, but can i throw a whole 03' Axle on my 01 without modification? (i do have air ride)

Dunno, but if you can, make sure you don't have the shitty '03 axles that were not hardened properly. One thing that comes to mind is that the rear shocks went from inboard to outboard at some point (probably in '03), so if you're talking the whole axle housing, that might be an issue.

[sly]

That has not been my experience actually - Ford was VERY consistent with their differentials in these axles, most of the ones I've worked on the LSD dropped right in place of the factory open diff and both preload and pattern were spot-on. The few exceptions have been where either the factory side spacers were fucked with, or the one that I think the diff itself was out of spec as it was loose in both its original axle and the one it went in with new bearings.

Nice. Also good to know.

[pantera77]

That has not been my experience actually - Ford was VERY consistent with their differentials in these axles, most of the ones I've worked on the LSD dropped right in place of the factory open diff and both preload and pattern were spot-on. The few exceptions have been where either the factory side spacers were fucked with, or the one that I think the diff itself was out of spec as it was loose in both its original axle and the one it went in with new bearings.

This. At worst might need to swap the shims to get the backlash right.

Find a 28 spline trac-lok carrier, buy the rebuilt kit for $70, swap over your ring gear, check the backlash, and off you go.

Also, 03 won't fit an 01, only 98-02 will.

[TecNickal]

^ this.

I've swapped rear end carriers twice this way to have posi. Not useful in the Southeast, but you never know!