Ordered the new Eaton 14263-1 Electronic Elocker Front Differential

[Georgeacosta_]

Be careful, we get a weaker front diff that is not designed to handle a locker. I swapped in a Bronco Sasquatch diff with a factory locker to solve this issue.

what parts were needed to do this?

Sponsored

 

[RangerInTexas]

what parts were needed to do this?

People that say the the Ranger front diff is "weaker" have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. The M190 is not weak there are zero reports of failure on any forum as it's also used in the Bronco. The M210 on the other hand? They break so much Ford has constant parts backorders.

 

[Frenchy]

People that say the the Ranger front diff is "weaker" have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. The M190 is not weak there are zero reports of failure on any forum as it's also used in the Bronco. The M210 on the other hand? They break so much Ford has constant parts backorders.

The only reason they keep breaking so many there with the bronco is because you have idiots driving them thinking that they are invincible.

 

[RangerInTexas]

The only reason they keep breaking so many there with the bronco is because you have idiots driving them thinking that they are invincible.

The M190's weak link are the axles, and that's beautiful. If you're an idiot you'll snap an axle and still continue your day in 2WD. Cheap and easy fix. The M210 will self destruct internally before breaking an axle, and they do.

Something ALWAYS breaks, it's a matter of choosing what you want to break. I chose a $200 axle vs. a $4000 front diff assembly that's on 6-12 month backorder.

 

[Frenchy]

The M190's weak link are the axles, and that's beautiful. If you're an idiot you'll snap an axle and still continue your day in 2WD. Cheap and easy fix. The M210 will self destruct internally before breaking an axle, and they do.

Something ALWAYS breaks, it's a matter of choosing what you want to break. I chose a $200 axle vs. a $4000 front diff assembly that's on 6-12 month backorder.

Depending on how the CV Axle breaks will depend on what other damage it will do. Keep that in mind

 

[ScubaDan]

My local Ford dealership installed it.

I reached out to Eaton with a few tech questions, and the support tech stated that the locker is not supported on 2023 year model. Obviously, you had it installed so I'm assuming they just haven't fully tested and don't want to say yes it fits. I asked to have someone reach out after looking into compatibility, and the got back to me pretty quickly.

"2023+ Ranger front M190 have a welded ring gear. It is not fastened by ring gear bolts. Therefore not a direct fitment. There are rumors out there that one can convert to the older style, bolted-on ring gear and use our eLocker. But this has not been confirmed internally at this time."

When the dealership did your install did they mention anything about a welded ring gear? If so, did they do the conversion down to the bolted ring gear, or was I just given bad info?

 

[Georgeacosta_]

People that say the the Ranger front diff is "weaker" have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. The M190 is not weak there are zero reports of failure on any forum as it's also used in the Bronco. The M210 on the other hand? They break so much Ford has constant parts backorders.

I understand, but what parts did you use for the bronco diff?

 

[RangerInTexas]

I reached out to Eaton with a few tech questions, and the support tech stated that the locker is not support on 2023 year model. Obviously, you had it installed so I'm assuming they just haven't fully tested and don't want to say yes it fits. I asked to have someone reach out after looking into compatibility, and the got back to me pretty quickly.

"2023+ Ranger front M190 have a welded ring gear. It is not fastened by ring gear bolts. Therefore not a direct fitment. There are rumors out there that one can convert to the older style, bolted-on ring gear and use our eLocker. But this has not been confirmed internally at this time."

When the dealership did your install did they mention anything about a welded ring gear? If so, did they do the conversation down to the bolted ring gear, or was I just given bad info?

The 2023 has the ring gear laser welded to the OEM open carrier case instead of bolted, correct. No conversion is required, as the locker comes with the new Eaton locking differential carrier case. Just bolt on a 2022 ring gear/pinion it's like $300. You gotta realign the thing anyways using new crush washers, etc and the 2019-2022 SKU comes with it all.

Most M190 bronco guys with the welded diff gear use Yukon gears as an "upgrade", that's $350 for the ring/pinion/seals.

I went the OEM route. All said and done it's nearly $3000 installed, but cheaper than a 70k Raptor with a front locke. I paid 40k OTD for the truck new last year. 3k to add front locker? Pffft.. that's cheaper than a set of rims.

 

[RangerInTexas]

I will say this, if I had to do it all over again? Save yourself a TON of money and just buy a low mile 2019-2022 front differential from the junkyard, they're like $400 from LQK. Have a local driveline shop install the locker on the bench, and install the wiring while you're still driving the truck. When you're ready for install just remove the OEM front unit and bolt in the rebuilt one with locker at a shop with MUCH cheaper labor. Save the OEM as a spare. Like 2hrs of downtime not days and you got an entire spare front axle for the same price as just buying a ring/gear kit.

 

[ScubaDan]

The 2023 has the ring gear laser welded to the OEM open carrier case instead of bolted, correct. No conversion is required, as the locker comes with the new Eaton locking differential carrier case. Just bolt on a 2022 ring gear/pinion it's like $300. You gotta realign the thing anyways using new crush washers, etc and the 2019-2022 SKU comes with it all.

Most M190 bronco guys with the welded diff gear use Yukon gears as an "upgrade", that's $350 for the ring/pinion/seals.

I went the OEM route. All said and done it's nearly $3000 installed, but cheaper than a 70k Raptor with a front locke. I paid 40k OTD for the truck new last year. 3k to add front locker? Pffft.. that's cheaper than a set of rims.

Okay gotcha, I appreciate the info, trying to find all these little details is a pain since Ford isn't very transparent about how the trucks are built. The welded ring gear is wild to me, in other posts where people talked to Ford techs about why they welded it in was apparently to get better fuel mileage/cost saving, I'd love to know just how much money they saved by welding the gear. Also there are some rumors that if your rear-end has an open carrier it's welded as well.

I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for front axle at a junk yard.

 

[Frenchy]

Okay gotcha, I appreciate the info, trying to find all these little details is a pain since Ford isn't very transparent about how the trucks are built. The welded ring gear is wild to me, in other posts where people talked to Ford techs about why they welded it in was apparently to get better fuel mileage/cost saving, I'd love to know just how much money they saved by welding the gear. Also there are some rumors that if your rear-end has an open carrier it's welded as well.

I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for front axle at a junk yard.

I don't know what it is all started, but I know for a fact that Ford did do the Ranger with model year 2019 and up where the ring gear is welded to the carrier. The spider gears are not welded either. That is still free.

Now why did they do it? Because here at Ford Motor Company, we have better ideas than you and we know it!!

Sponsored