posi traction
10-04-2009, 07:46 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: mo
Posts: 919
posi traction
when i bought my 88 lx a few months back, the guy claimed he put a 373 gear in when he converted the back brakes to discs. i have no idea if this is true or not but i do know the car is just a one tire fire. what do i need to do to convert it to positive traction? thanks
10-04-2009, 07:59 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 1,291
Well, it's easy to tell the difference between disc and drum brakes. They don't look anything like each other.
BASIC DISC
BASIC DRUM
First off, I dislike the posi-traction name. That's a manufacturer specific name and part type for a limited slip differential. Unless you're a GM guy- let's move on.
Second, adding a limited slip differential, or LSD, isn't very difficult on your FOX. It should have a 8.8" rear axle. As far as converting it- you'll need a LSD for your ratio (usually fits a range of gear ratios), gear oil, friction modifier (depending on the type of LSD), a shim kit and crush sleeve (possibly- depending on the pinion depth). A good shop should have the last two parts. If you're doing it yourself, you'll also need the dial gauges for setting up the runout and backlash measurements.
Lastly, while it's not a necessity, I would also recommend a rear cover girdle. It simply replaces the stock cover and applies pressure to the diff. bearing caps.
BASIC DISC
BASIC DRUM
First off, I dislike the posi-traction name. That's a manufacturer specific name and part type for a limited slip differential. Unless you're a GM guy- let's move on.
Second, adding a limited slip differential, or LSD, isn't very difficult on your FOX. It should have a 8.8" rear axle. As far as converting it- you'll need a LSD for your ratio (usually fits a range of gear ratios), gear oil, friction modifier (depending on the type of LSD), a shim kit and crush sleeve (possibly- depending on the pinion depth). A good shop should have the last two parts. If you're doing it yourself, you'll also need the dial gauges for setting up the runout and backlash measurements.
Lastly, while it's not a necessity, I would also recommend a rear cover girdle. It simply replaces the stock cover and applies pressure to the diff. bearing caps.
Last edited by socalwrench; 10-04-2009 at 08:04 PM.
10-04-2009, 10:05 PM
#3
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: IL
Posts: 10,637
Wow. First of all, the OP didn't ask the difference between drum and disk brakes. He said he didn't know if the car actually had a 3.73 in it or not.
Second, while I can tell you're one of those Ford fanboys, Posi-Traction is a pretty universal generic term (and certainly the most commonly used) for a Limited Slip Differential. Since we're being all technical here, Ford calls it Trac Lok. Packard actually came up with the term LSD.
You actually don't like it when someone says Posi-Traction?
As for the rear end not having LSD? Was this a 4-Cyl swap car? Is it possible that the car still has a 7.5"? No V8 Foxes came with an open gear. The 8.8's are all Limited Slip. If it's got an 8.8 and one tire fire syndrome, the clutches are more than likely worn out, and in that case, you're only looking at about $100 for a rebuild kit. If you can do it yourself.
For the 3.73, jack the back of the car out. Rotate the rear tire and count how many times the driveshaft spins completely around with one revolution of the tire. If it's a 3.73, it will be just less than 4 revolutions of the driveshaft.
Good luck to you.
Second, while I can tell you're one of those Ford fanboys, Posi-Traction is a pretty universal generic term (and certainly the most commonly used) for a Limited Slip Differential. Since we're being all technical here, Ford calls it Trac Lok. Packard actually came up with the term LSD.
You actually don't like it when someone says Posi-Traction?
As for the rear end not having LSD? Was this a 4-Cyl swap car? Is it possible that the car still has a 7.5"? No V8 Foxes came with an open gear. The 8.8's are all Limited Slip. If it's got an 8.8 and one tire fire syndrome, the clutches are more than likely worn out, and in that case, you're only looking at about $100 for a rebuild kit. If you can do it yourself.
For the 3.73, jack the back of the car out. Rotate the rear tire and count how many times the driveshaft spins completely around with one revolution of the tire. If it's a 3.73, it will be just less than 4 revolutions of the driveshaft.
Good luck to you.
Last edited by Sidewayz6.0; 10-04-2009 at 10:11 PM.
10-05-2009, 01:53 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 717
Not trying to high jack the thread
but i have a 5.0 ( obviously ) and its got the 8.8 i am 99.99% sure its original
i hard er jacked up like 2 years ago. and did the good ole rotate the one wheel and see if i got a posi! ( im been a chevy guy since i was a kid deal with it )
and oh snap the other wheel went the same way yay!
every burnout i have ever done has only thrown down rubber on the left side ( i think )
even in the grass on a slope i was spinning but only the left...
is this the clutches and should i rebuild?
doing it myself is no problem
done pirating thread
but i have a 5.0 ( obviously ) and its got the 8.8 i am 99.99% sure its original
i hard er jacked up like 2 years ago. and did the good ole rotate the one wheel and see if i got a posi! ( im been a chevy guy since i was a kid deal with it )
and oh snap the other wheel went the same way yay!
every burnout i have ever done has only thrown down rubber on the left side ( i think )
even in the grass on a slope i was spinning but only the left...
is this the clutches and should i rebuild?
doing it myself is no problem
done pirating thread
10-05-2009, 04:28 AM
#7
1st Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 82
Not trying to high jack the thread
but i have a 5.0 ( obviously ) and its got the 8.8 i am 99.99% sure its original
i hard er jacked up like 2 years ago. and did the good ole rotate the one wheel and see if i got a posi! ( im been a chevy guy since i was a kid deal with it )
and oh snap the other wheel went the same way yay!
every burnout i have ever done has only thrown down rubber on the left side ( i think )
even in the grass on a slope i was spinning but only the left...
is this the clutches and should i rebuild?
doing it myself is no problem
done pirating thread
but i have a 5.0 ( obviously ) and its got the 8.8 i am 99.99% sure its original
i hard er jacked up like 2 years ago. and did the good ole rotate the one wheel and see if i got a posi! ( im been a chevy guy since i was a kid deal with it )
and oh snap the other wheel went the same way yay!
every burnout i have ever done has only thrown down rubber on the left side ( i think )
even in the grass on a slope i was spinning but only the left...
is this the clutches and should i rebuild?
doing it myself is no problem
done pirating thread
10-05-2009, 07:38 AM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 253
ill hijack it too! ha
Im having the same issue as the other hijacker. I got a 89 gt 5.0 vert automatic. When i stop on it only the left burns rubber. SOOO im thinking i need a rebuild as well. Ill buy the kit but have a shop do it cause I lack those particular skills needed. Estimate? Thanks
Im having the same issue as the other hijacker. I got a 89 gt 5.0 vert automatic. When i stop on it only the left burns rubber. SOOO im thinking i need a rebuild as well. Ill buy the kit but have a shop do it cause I lack those particular skills needed. Estimate? Thanks
10-05-2009, 08:07 AM
#10
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ontario
Posts: 547
nitrous fed o3 gt pm me your vin number and ill run it on car fax see if it a real 5.0l or whether its a swap. lol i bought the unlimited 30 day reports and ment to buy a one time single report lol so you can if you want i wont charge you nothing but being the age nothing may show up.