First post...need some advice

[thistle]

Hi everyone great board. Not really a 4x4 guy, but when you need info this place looks like a great source.
So heres what I got. My father has a 87 f-150 2wd farm truck. 302, 4 speed w/od, and a really high gear( it is an 8.8 though). Don't know the ratio just yet, but it is way too high for a work truck (shift into OD at 60). So The gearing needs to be changed in a bad way. Should I get a new ring and pinion or shop around local junkyards for a used rear end? What would be a good ratio to run with 235/75s up to a 30" tire?
And the main reason for the post is questions about lockers. I've never used one so don't know what to expect. Traction is defientily needed around the farm, but the truck is driven on the road probably 70% of the time. So I need something that will be street friendly also. Give me your opinion on what would work best. Locker, spool, mini spool, e-z locker? An air locker is out of the question due to price. So give me your opinion. Thanks.

[critterkiller]

A couple of things. A question about a two wheel drive is not usually well recieved here. Best just to keep it to 4x4 related tech. On to your question, I would change the gears, I have a similar truck I believe the axle tag said 2.75 or so. Depending on the use of the truck, 3.73 to 4.10 sounds about right. You don't want a spool for that truck, or mini spool or welded spider gears. There are alot of options in the way of lockers, search the forums.

[s1037s]

yeah watch out for the meanies here:laughing:
Find a same year truck with a factory limited slip(fine for the farm) and swap all the pieces or get the complete rear diff and be done in a couple hours. look for mustang websites that have a classified section and you should be able to find all the individual pieces cheap to score a 410 or 373 with a limited grip, i mean limited slip diff. hope it helps and don't get too upset when the flaming starts.

[PAToyota]

Granted, it is a 2WD question - but gearing and lockers is the same for one diff or two. And pre-runners are typically 2WD...

If it is on the road 70% of the time you don't want a spool or lincoln locker (welded spiders). From being an old farmhand myself, I can tell you the limited slip route is of limited use. You get stuck in the mud out in a field someplace and it just won't do what you need. I'd be looking at the options of EZ Locker, TrueTrac, or Detroit - depending on how much you want to spend. EZ Locker is about half that of a Detroit, but probably the Detroit will serve you twice as much.

[Mohadeab]

Lockrite will do ya fine...cheap and easy to install with those new ring and pinion you are going to get

[habitatxskate]

the cheapest one i know of is for 450. its on 4wheelparts..they are always locked in the rear though.

[thistle]

Thanks for the replies guys.

[TasselsDesignLTD]

Let me know if I can help you on finding a locker or ring and pinion. The vendor section guys usually have some pretty low prices.

[jrod66]

or you could swap out the rear end for a better ford 9" with the gears you are looking for, and add strength IMO