scjfly

How do I know if my truck has a limited slip rear end? 97 SRW 2500 4x4.

Thanks,

Clark

jstone44720

There was a tag on the axle when it was made that should identify it. Otherwise, jack up the axle and spin a tire. If the other tire spins the same direction, or at least tries to, you have a lsd. If it goes the other way, open diff.

infidel

If you open your hood and look up there should be a build tag with the truck's options listed.

joem

yup, jack up the rear end- put it into netural and turn a tire. both go same way means limited slip. I recently broke my lsd dana 70 and found a 2001 disk brake open diff one and threw it under my truck, but wow almost undriveable in the freaking rain, spins the right rear tire on almost every shift and then lights it up again when the torque converter locks, I find myself useing 4wd just to make it up some of the wet paved roads and a decent speed. I miss my old lsd.. wonder if the clutch pack is still good on my old axle even after 3 pinion teeth were ratteling around in there?

scjfly

It says I have the Dana 80 rear end. Would it state limited slip or LS? Was limited slip an upgrade option? Not sure why you wouldn't want it other than price.

Jacked up the rear end and they spun in opposite directions. Guess thats why it has issues in snow

Thanks for the insight.

jstone44720

I had an open diff too. Snow was terrifying. I bolted in a Truetrac a few days ago and so far it is working as advertised. I run stock tires, less than 350 hp and do not tow.

infidel

It says LS under the hoods of both my trucks.
I didn't think of asking for it when I bought the trucks new.
Guess I lucked out or else the dealers up north are smart enough to order only LSD equipped trucks.

totalloser

Rebuild kits are available that include spiders/sides but cost more. Almost surely rebuildable carrier. To go into your new diff you'll need a "minor install" kit for the carrier shims to duplicate the backlash on the gears. You want the same backlash you started with. No need to pull the pinion, just DO NOT mismatch gear sets.

Also, carrier won't swap between 4.10 up and 3.73 down. (Gears won't set up)