SLA front differential removal?

[JoshT]

What's involved in swapping the front differential on a SLA Ranger/Explorer?

I'm going to be swapping a 3.75 Explorer axle into my truck before/when/shortly after I do the engine swap and will need to regear the front differential to match. I have the differential from the donor, so the easy chioice is to just swap out the differential assuming that it is also 3.73 (door tag is gone and haven't crawled under it yet). I'm going to have the front axle shafts pulled to swap from PVH style to live axle, but I'm not sure how much more is required to pull the differential out.

 

[pjtoledo]

real easy once the axle shafts are out.
1 vent hose, un clip it from the frame
U joint. torx plus wrench, not a lot of room.
3 bolts.

it mostly drops straight down.
it will leak out both sides.

 

[bobbywalter]

IIRC swap it all. and all is swapped.

 

[JoshT]

real easy once the axle shafts are out.
1 vent hose, un clip it from the frame
U joint. torx plus wrench, not a lot of room.
3 bolts.

it mostly drops straight down.
it will leak out both sides.

Thanks! That's what I was hoping for and figured, but wanted to ask. Didn't know if the crossmember got in the way of pulling it.

IIRC swap it all. and all is swapped.

That's pretty much the plan. Picked up a 2000 Explorer AWD on Sunday for the engine swap. I think most of these swaps on 4x4s get a 4wd transfer case and stay stock height or get lifted. I'm actually going down a little getting shorter tires and keeping the AWD transfer case. I think the 3.73 gear set in the Explorer will be a beter fit for my intended usage than the 4.10 gears that is in it now. Just don't know if I'm going to be using the Explorer 8.8 or a spare 3.73 Ranger 8.8 that I've got to start with, mostly depends on which will fit better as bolt in for desired stance. Long term the Explorer 8.8 will end up in there regardless, but it can wait a bit if I'll need to relocate the spring perches.

Also don't know if time will let me get it all done at once, or if I'll need to take it in stages. Might have to do axles in one go, drivetrain in another, and suspension in a third (not necessarily in that order) or if I will be able to tear it apart one time and work to completion. I've got other trucks so it can be down for a while, but I'm going to have to borrow space to do the work and can't keep it tied up for too long at a time.

 

[bobbywalter]

Definitely a good way to go for a lowered awd .... Ttb not ideal for that.