Auburn Gear First to Offer Aftermarket Alternative for Post-2010 Chrysler 9-¼ ZF Limited-Slip Differential
Auburn’s new 9-¼ limited-slip differential broadens consumer choice and delivers superior strength and performance for about 25 percent less than OE diff. AUBURN, Ind., Aug. 19, 2014—Auburn Gear, Inc., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high performance differentials, introduced its new aftermarket, limited-slip differential replacement for vehicles with the Chrysler 9-¼ ZF rear axle built after 2010. Auburn’s new aftermarket 9-¼ differential is the first to market and is designed for easy installation and higher performance than the original equipment.
Until now, those wanting a limited-slip differential on certain Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles made after 2010 had to either specify it as an option in place of the standard Chrysler 9-¼ ZF open differential or pay to have an OE 9-¼ ZF limited-slip retrofit performed. Cost was often a barrier, and the OE-made posi-track was the only aftermarket option available. “Folks would call me and ask about retrofitting their trucks, but once I quoted them a price for the OE replacement, they’d often change their minds,” Ron Hill, sales manager for Pyle Bros. of Baytown, Texas, said. “We’ve always been impressed with both the quality and operational characteristics of Auburn’s differentials, and their new 9-¼ gives me a lower-cost, higher performance alternative for my customers.”
Auburn’s new high-torque-bias limited-slip differential is engineered to surpass the abilities of the OE differential, making Auburn’s new differential even more attractive to those who want to upgrade their drivetrains and their performance capabilities. Auburn’s design provides superior bias torque to the high-traction wheel and is compatible with gear ratios of 2.71:1 and up. Aggressive off-road driving over difficult terrain can challenge some differentials to the breaking point. Auburn’s new 9-¼ limited-slip differential is designed to stand up to significant punishment and gives drivers smooth torque-sensing operation with correct bias ratios
engineered to outperform other standard differentials.
“I expect Auburn’s new diff. to be stronger overall and to deliver better traction, so we’ll see less one-wheel wonders,” Jeremy Ayers, president of J.T.’s Parts & Accessories of Cashmere, Washington, said. “Auburn’s products have the best warranty in the business, and the fact that their products are made in the U.S.A. is important to our customer base.” Auburn Gear has been manufacturing its products in Auburn, Indiana, since 1982. The company
engineers a wide variety of performance-enhancing and high-performance aftermarket differentials and believes that being exclusively American Made is one of its unique advantages.
All Auburn differentials are backed by the company’s one-year warranty and exclusive Differential Replacement Exchange (D-REX) Program. According to the terms of the D-REX Program, Auburn will replace any differential within the first four years of purchase, regardless of circumstances. The replacement differential is one-third of the original cost (that is roughly the equivalent of the price of a competitor’s clutch pack). The replacement differential comes fully assembled, tested, certified and ready for installation. No rebuilding is required, and thus no mixing of old or worn parts with new parts is necessary. “We watch the market closely, and we saw the need for a competitively priced aftermarket 9-¼ limited-slip differential,” Jamie Forrest, senior product engineer for Auburn Gear, said. “I’m excited to say that we brought our solution to fruition within 9 months of its inception, and it’s the extra effort involved that has allowed us to be first to market with our aftermarket 9-¼ solution.”
Auburn’s 9-¼ limited-slip differential, model number 5420142, is expected to begin shipping on or about Sept. 30, 2014. Auburn’s new aftermarket differential can be used to replace the open case or limited-slip differentials on Chrysler 9.25 in. ZF axle models.
