I picked up a used open carrier out of a 98 xj to install a spartan locker and swap in place of my limited slip carrier. The used carrier didn't come with spider gears and is missing the center pin retaining screw will the one from my limited slip carrier work or does the spartan locker come with a new one? The open carrier also has a 3.55 ring gear on it which is what is in the jeep now but should I go ahead and put my old ring gear back in since it is already worn into the pinion gear?

 

After looking at the picture I believe it does come with a new center pin screw.
https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produ...x?ProdID=11590

 

Use the old ring gear that is pattern worn onto the existing pinion gear. most people use new ring gear bolts if the ring gear is removed from the carrier, I believe they are reverse thread and hard to find. Yes, the retaining screw is supplied. You will have to check for backlash before installing axleshafts. I had to make a tool to adjust the preload on each adjuster, lots of helpful posts out there.

 

I made the tool to adjust the preload side adjusters and I have a dial indicator to check backlash. Are new ring gear bolts really necessary? I was just going to put locktite on the old ones and reuse them. Also what are the torque specs for the ring gear bolts, bearing adjusters, and bearing caps?

 

well, the bolts are stretched already. Probably use them again no problem or one could snap off when retorquing. Probably drive that way for thousands of miles or bolt head shear off and rattle around inside the diff. Any driveline shop that sets up gears will have these bolts. I recall the backlash changed when torquing down the adjusters... had to do many minor adjustments to get final backlash measurement to hold. I don't recall the torque specs sorry. Still a hack and tap would be a nice upgrade for you with a double cardon driveshaft to go along with it.

 

Id be very interested in that LSD carrier if it didn't turn out to be too much a hassle to put into my open 8.25.

though I wonder why it must be easier to put an open carrier in when to replace an open with an LSD is too much work?

Or was it just too much work compared to the ease of a lunchbox locker?

I mean shucks, you're even in southern OH too.

 

It requires the same amount of work to swap from an open carrier to a limited slip as it does to go from a limited slip carrier to an open. Most people say if you have an open rear you are better off to put a lunchbox locker in then switch to a limited slip, but if it is mostly street driven and only sees mild offroading conditions then the limited slip is better than an open rear. I used to drive a grand cherokee with an open rear and my xj with the limited slip is a noticeable improvement over the open rear.

 

this is about what i figured.

its not high on my priority list but something nevertheless im interested in.