does anybody make a locking front axle for the front end??

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

[This message has been edited by RACERX2 (edited 11-05-1999).]

 

Axle? The newer trucks don't have axles. They have a IFS system. THe older trucks have a Dana 44 IFS system.

 

RACERX2,
Do not have one do not need one. For General On/Off road work it is not necessary and can be a hinderance at times. Your front end tends to slip to the side when both wheels are spinning. ARB makes a good Air locker that will retain your open differential and can be locked when needed. Try the following sight for more info on Lockers http://www.4x4now.com/bd0198.htm

Pastmaster,

Yes our beloved 97+ F-150 4x4 trucks indeed have axles in the front. A LH and a RH one.

Kindest regards

Jean Marc Chartier


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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips

 

JMC: I see, so do they have gears in the front?

 

You bring up a good point about the front end, but, I dont run in 4 wheel drive on the street, so when its disengaged I wouldnt have to worry about it. Mainly I was interested in a l/s, but I dont know anything about the axle, and dont know what its actually called. i.e., 9", 8.8" and so on.

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

[This message has been edited by RACERX2 (edited 11-06-1999).]

 

Pastmaster,

The 4x4s do have gears in front.

RACERX2,

The front end on the 97+ Light duties is a inverted lincoln rear end and it is 8.8 inches. I would never recommend an LS in the front. Do you have the LSD rear? If you do you will notice that the rear tends to slip sideways. When this happens in the front you loose all steering control. This is not a good thing to have happen when on the side of a hill... Thet is why I suggest an air locker.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips

 

I don't own a newer F-150 obviously, so I didn't know much about their front ends, other than the have an IFS system. I have a 89 F-150 4x4 that has factory posi, and I thought about a front one, but everyone told me that it made the steering impossible. I also have a rear in my 93, which again is a real bear on ice. Of course, anything is a bear on ice! thanks for the info.

 

From what I understand the front end is an aluminum 8.8 inch with the same specifications of the 8.8 on the rear. I would not put any traction device except an adjustable one like ARB air locker. Since the new trucks do not have hubs the axles are always turning, meaning I would definetly not put something like a detroit locker in.

 

Mainly I was curious as to what size of axle I have and the availability of any units for the front end. I have an Auburn unit in the rear. Luckily here in Southern New Mexico, it doesnt snow much at all, but when it rains we have lots of clay that gets pretty nasty!

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L