Differential swap from open to LSD

[patriot07]

Has anyone done this on the new body style 1500 trucks? My dad has a 2wd 1500 with open diff and wants to swap to an LSD. I have no idea how difficult it would be to DIY? I'm moderately mechanically inclined but never gotten into transmissions/gears/etc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Brad

 

[bm02tj]

Do not use factory LSD go with the True Trac
If you have never done one get a good gear guy as set up is important

 

[GTyankee]

One place to check with is

http://www.moes-performance.com/Mop..._up_Ram_1500_9_25ZF_p/9.25zf-lsd.htm?CartID=1

 

[patriot07]

Do not use factory LSD go with the True Trac
If you have never done one get a good gear guy as set up is important

What's the problem with factory LSD? My 2018 Ram had it and it was very helpful in traction. Maybe didn't split the difference between 2wd and 4wd but came darn close to it.

 

[bm02tj]

They have no preload and rely on the traction control to load and by then you are stuck
if in deep snow or sand

 

[DILLIGAF]

True Trac

 

[lpennock]

AAM differentials are very easy to replace the carrier. Only special tool you need is a magnetic base dial indicator. While not absolutely required, it is nice to have the specialized collar spanner wrench.

As others said get a truetrac rather than the stock aam unit. 3.5:1 vs 2:1 torque bias ratio.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

 

[DILLIGAF]

Actually having 2 of those ******** makes life way easier. I just made them Myself with a Nut and 3/4 Octagon metal bar. Having just one suck balls when setting backlash. Theres a youtube video that shows what nut size you need. Just weld it on the end.


No need for a fancy Magnetic dial either. the clamp on ones work as good.

 

[lpennock]

Actually having 2 of those ******** makes life way easier. I just made them Myself with a Nut and 3/4 Octagon metal bar. Having just one suck balls when setting backlash. Theres a youtube video that shows what nut size you need. Just weld it on the end.


No need for a fancy Magnetic dial either. the clamp on ones work as good.

Mag base is cheap from harbor freight.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

 

[GTyankee]

Just for clarification:

The Ram 1500 have used the ZF 9.25 ( 235 mm ) differentials since they began building the 2011 Ram.

The last year of the Ram 1500 AAM & Corporate differentials was 2010

 

[lpennock]

The Ram 1500 have used the ZF 9.25 differentials since they began building the 2011 Ram.

The last year of the Ram 1500 AAM & Corporate differentials was 2010

Does zf use shims or adjustment collars? Is shim are they internal or external?

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

 

[GTyankee]

Collars
check this outstanding video out at 25 minutes into it


Damn, he did not show how he reinstalled the ring & pinion & how he set the backlash

 

[lpennock]

Pinion doesn't need to be touched on a carrier replacement. Check back lash before tearing apart, get same back lash on installation and things will be correct. Well within the ability of most backyard mechanics.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

 

[patriot07]

They have no preload and rely on the traction control to load and by then you are stuck
if in deep snow or sand

I'm sure that's the difference - we don't have deep snow or sand. Mostly wet boat ramps, questionable campground roads with a trailer attached, occasional mud, and things like that. Nothing too crazy.

 

[crash68]

They have no preload and rely on the traction control to load and by then you are stuck
if in deep snow or sand

It's interesting you say the OEM LSD has to rely on traction control to load them. With my Outdoorsman when things get slick or soupy I have to turn the traction control off or the rear end likes to hop if the traction control activates. I have no problems with both rear wheels engaging without the TC loading them, been in mud, sand, and snow. I'm not aware of a different LSD used in the Outdoorsman vs any of the other trim level trucks.

If I was to have or needed an LSD installed I would definitely go with the TruTrac unit though.

 

[bm02tj]

Jack your truck up and spin the wheels It feels like an open diff
2010 and older had preload

 

[patriot07]

I don't have a hydraulic press for the bearings...I can go get dial caliper from harbor freight. I do have some mechanical ability having changed timing belts, wheel hubs, fuel pumps, etc before. But never done anything like this. How much does labor normally run? I don't even know what kind of shop to start with? I emailed the local Ram dealer today for a quote but I expect they're higher than anywhere else.

 

[lpennock]

I don't have a hydraulic press for the bearings...I can go get dial caliper from harbor freight. I do have some mechanical ability having changed timing belts, wheel hubs, fuel pumps, etc before. But never done anything like this. How much does labor normally run? I don't even know what kind of shop to start with? I emailed the local Ram dealer today for a quote but I expect they're higher than anywhere else.

Call 4x4 speciality shops. I've seen labor quotes from $200 to $1000. To do a carrier swap should be less than 2hrs labor. More than that they are quoting a full ring and pinion setup and you should look elsewhere.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

 

[Ridgerunner665]

It's interesting you say the OEM LSD has to rely on traction control to load them. With my Outdoorsman when things get slick or soupy I have to turn the traction control off or the rear end likes to hop if the traction control activates. I have no problems with both rear wheels engaging without the TC loading them, been in mud, sand, and snow. I'm not aware of a different LSD used in the Outdoorsman vs any of the other trim level trucks.

If I was to have or needed an LSD installed I would definitely go with the TruTrac unit though.

My factory LSD works fine also... but he is right, they don't have preload springs in them.

It could be that turning off traction control doesn't keep it from working to load up the gears...it may still be able to apply a little brake to the spinning wheel to get the clutches to grab.

Could be a different set of parameters that it monitors for the LSD.

But I'm only guessing.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[patriot07]

Call 4x4 speciality shops. I've seen labor quotes from $200 to $1000. To do a carrier swap should be less than 2hrs labor. More than that they are quoting a full ring and pinion setup and you should look elsewhere.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

I get real nervous about having someone work on my dad's truck...I may just learn how to do this myself.

On the shims that go under the bearing, I don't see anyone calculating how many or what size to use...is that normal? Do you just put them all under there and roll with it?