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Dang - - Thanks, Ghost - - Full Tilt didn't come up in my research or I would definitely have called them. I'm set to go with J&S Gear in Huntington Beach. All they do is diffs & gears so hopefully all goes well.
I think this must be the oil that they recommended: https://lucasoil.com/products/gear-oil/gear-oil/heavy-duty-80w-90-gear-oilThank you KC for a great thread - - I'm calling various installers in SoCal now. Regarding the question on proper lubricant, I just got off the phone with an Eaton technical rep and he said in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, the best oil to use is a Lucas brand, petro-based (non-synthetic), 75w90 or 80w90 with NO additives or friction modifiers. There was no hemming and hawing - - This is what they recommend, period. I neglected to ask him about recommended change intervals, but I'll re-post if I get some additional information. Hopefully, this puts to rest the question of which way to go on the lube question.
Northwest Quadvan LLCAny one had one of these installed in or around Portland, Oregon?
I just wanted to add and say I changed my differential fluid with this Lucas fluid a few months back. I bought a gallon and had some left over. Everything went great. Since its a dino (non-synthetic) fluid that Eaton recommends I will be changing it every summer from now on (I drive between 15k and 20k miles a year). I used FordTechMakuloco excellent video here as reference (same exact rear end as ours)I think this must be the oil that they recommended: https://lucasoil.com/products/gear-oil/gear-oil/heavy-duty-80w-90-gear-oil
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I wish you could film this (or similar) in 2wd (RWD) mode, if that’s possible (or is yours full-time 4wd?). I was kind of surprised there was such slippage with the Eaton’s, so real curious how much of your progress was due to 4wd. In other words, would you have, could you have, done this without any help from the front axle (but with the help of the TruTrac)? I probably would have tried (with one-wheel-drive: full open rear diff), but who knows, I might have needed a tow. On a number of occasions, I’ve been known to pray: “Lord, if you get me out of this, I promise I won’t do it again.” One of these days he’s going to answer back saying: “you promised you wouldn’t try this again, you’re on your own this time.” Doomed!Quadvan does a great job on the conversion, the front diff is a Raptor 8.8 unit and the stock Ford 9.75 rear is plenty strong.
Eaton TruTracs front and rear seem to work well and the Ecoboost puts out plenty of torque at a decently low rpm for off road use.
Watch me lift a few tires in the air...
All questions welcome.
Actually I think I could test this out....I wish you could film this (or similar) in 2wd (RWD) mode, if that’s possible (or is yours full-time 4wd?). I was kind of surprised there was such slippage with the Eaton’s, so real curious how much of your progress was due to 4wd. In other words, would you have, could you have, done this without any help from the front axle (but with the help of the TruTrac)? I probably would have tried (with one-wheel-drive: full open rear diff), but who knows, I might have needed a tow. On a number of occasions, I’ve been known to pray: “Lord, if you get me out of this, I promise I won’t do it again.” One of these days he’s going to answer back saying: “you promised you wouldn’t try this again, you’re on your own this time.” Doomed!
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Awesome! Might help Eaton sell another TruTrac, or two, or....Actually I think I could test this out....
Let me see about going back out to the same spot and do the same climb in 2 wheel drive with rear TruTrac vs 4 wheel drive Fr/Rr TruTrac.
Sounds like fun to me![]()
The OEM limited slip is a spring clutch based system that detects slip and locks up both axles. The best thing about the OEM system is that its only ~$300 option when buying a new van. It is the best bang for the buck if you are ordering a new van or if your van already has one installed. The clutches have friction material and will eventually wear out (just like anything else). Some believe that the clutch type system has an abrupt lockup, and could be jarring or cause issues with control in slippery conditions.Great info on the TruTrac diff!
I'm curious if anyone has done or found a comparison of the TruTrac to the OEM limited slip diff?
What did they charge for labor? I'm in Carlsbad and I'm looking for a shop. Thanks!Full Tilt Offroad in San Clemente did my installation.
Been a while, but IIRC, it was $1100 for parts + labor. I paid a bit more b/c I had them do a gear reduction, too (got the 3.55).What did they charge for labor? I'm in Carlsbad and I'm looking for a shop. Thanks!
I emailed Quadvan about their conversion options and a front receiver bar. Part of the conversation involved regearing.Northwest Quadvan LLC
Address: 3125 NW Front Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: (503) 224-3629
John is the owner. The website is crap but he is good face to face or on the phone.
Lead time may be a problem, he is currently backlogged on his 4x4 work until May of 2020 but LSD may be quicker since it is a small(er) job.
Like the other posters have said, you have the Ford 9.75 rear axle. It is common and had been in many Ford vehicles including most variants of the f150 for the last 20 years. The rear end shop will be familiar with them.
Also like the other posters have said, dealerships don't usually do much rear end work and they don't usually install aftermarket rear end differentials. Your local rear end/drive line/off road shop will have way more experience installing this than a dealership would.
I noticed that you may be unsure whether to go with the true Trac or the factory Ford limited slip. The true Trac is the way to go. No clutch packs to wear out and smooth lockup. Perfect for on road snow traction and light off roading and beach sand. Should last longer than your vehicle with regular gear oil changes.
Make sure your installer does not use synthetic gear oil and does not use friction modifier. True Trac specifically calls for gl5 non synthetic non friction modifier gear oil. They specifically state that synthetic oil and/or friction modifier will cause a decrease in true Trac performance.
Synthetic oil is a better oil generally but It is NOT better in a True Trac.
This should cost you between $1000 and $1500 in parts and labor depending on if your installer can reuse bearings and other parts. My transit had 15,000 miles on it when mine was done and they were able and comfortable to reuse the bearings. I would have no problems paying the extra if they felt they needed to use new ones (I even told them that)
Good luck
[/QUOTEaston
We would like to have a True Trac installed on our 2019 T350 Transit with 11,000mi. We were told by a differential shop that they would not do it because it would void our warranty. They suggested having Ford do it which we do not want to do. Whats your thought on the warranty issue?Like the other posters have said, you have the Ford 9.75 rear axle. It is common and had been in many Ford vehicles including most variants of the f150 for the last 20 years. The rear end shop will be familiar with them.
Also like the other posters have said, dealerships don't usually do much rear end work and they don't usually install aftermarket rear end differentials. Your local rear end/drive line/off road shop will have way more experience installing this than a dealership would.
I noticed that you may be unsure whether to go with the true Trac or the factory Ford limited slip. The true Trac is the way to go. No clutch packs to wear out and smooth lockup. Perfect for on road snow traction and light off roading and beach sand. Should last longer than your vehicle with regular gear oil changes.
Make sure your installer does not use synthetic gear oil and does not use friction modifier. True Trac specifically calls for gl5 non synthetic non friction modifier gear oil. They specifically state that synthetic oil and/or friction modifier will cause a decrease in true Trac performance.
Synthetic oil is a better oil generally but It is NOT better in a True Trac.
This should cost you between $1000 and $1500 in parts and labor depending on if your installer can reuse bearings and other parts. My transit had 15,000 miles on it when mine was done and they were able and comfortable to reuse the bearings. I would have no problems paying the extra if they felt they needed to use new ones (I even told them that)
Good luck
We would like to have a Trutrac installed on our 2019 Transit T350 with 11,000 mi. We were told by a differential shop that they wouldn't do it because it would void the warranty. Do you know anything about this having added one yourself. Also, have you been pleased with it? Any issues?Complete Truetrac swap outline
Hey guys. As promised here’s the final breakdown for having a shop install a Truetrac in a 2017 Transit 350 XLT with a 3.31 axle (9.75”L with 34 spline):
(You can talk to Rusty at West Coast Differential on any questions you have, Eight00-510-0nine50)
Quick swap steps info:
Have spare bearings, races, and the shim kit ready just in case anything is damaged during the swap (even if you have low miles). Most professional shops will not reuse the old ones for liability.
When you pop in the Truetrac, use the factory shims as your base.
You MIGHT have to use a few shims from the kit.
The shims are easy to install - they're installed outboard of the races.
PARTS:
Eaton Trutrac, part 913A477, $640 (incld tax)
Shim kit: Yukon SK SSF9.75, $50
Bearing: (standard 9.75 Ford axle) Timken NP343847 ($34 x 2)
Race: (standard 9.75 Ford axle) Timken NP372019 ($16 x 2)
MasterPro GL5 Synthetic Gear Lube 75W-90, 2.9L needed ($12 x 3)
New ring gear bolts and shaft bolts are mandatory for this job per Ford dealership! If you bring these bolts in to your shop you won't have to pay the 180% price increase when they order them for you!
Shaft bolts (5 per shaft), Ford part W716084 S439 @ $3.50 x 10
Ring gear bolts, Ford part F75Z 4216 AA @ $3.85 x 12
Differential gasket, Ford part HL3Z 4036 A, $21
Sway bar bolts, Ford part W500633 S442 @ $2.50 a piece
Labor $900 (~8 hours)
Total: $2020! Aiy! :|
(people, have a limited slip put in when you buy it new in the factory!!! = $385!)
Drivability: no noises, whistles, or whining. Sounds great and I feel no change in handling. Cornering is totally fine.
I’ll update after a couple years in the snow. Thanks everyone and hope this helps!![]()
When you had your TrueTrac installed were you told that it would void your warranty? We would like one installed on our 2019 T350 but the differential shop we spoke with said they wouldn't do it because it would void the warranty.The OEM limited slip is a spring clutch based system that detects slip and locks up both axles. The best thing about the OEM system is that its only ~$300 option when buying a new van. It is the best bang for the buck if you are ordering a new van or if your van already has one installed. The clutches have friction material and will eventually wear out (just like anything else). Some believe that the clutch type system has an abrupt lockup, and could be jarring or cause issues with control in slippery conditions.
The Truetrac uses all gears and generally has a very smooth transition between power distribution from one wheel to two wheels. It supposedly lasts longer than a clutch type system and is very strong system that is used by off road vehicles and performance drag cars alike. The downside is that it would have to be purchased and installed. The unit is roughly $600 and would incur labor and additional parts to have it installed by a qualified specialized differential shop. It costs between $1000 and $2000 to buy and have the Truetrac installed. Mine was $1000 total, but I had it done when the van was new and the shop was able to reuse the old bearings/parts.
They both accomplish the same thing. If you already have the OEM unit, I would recommend sticking with it unless you have to replace it for some reason. If you need to replace your factory unit, or if your van does not have a limited slip already and you want to install one, have the Truetrack installed. Its universally recognized as a better unit and it will cost you roughly the same to have installed.