Im just wondering but how can I or others find out if the Axle is a Regular Differential or a Non-Slip Differential, like would there be specific model numbers on the housing or would I have to tear it apart because id like to find out whats on my 87 Dakota

 

If you jack up the rear axle and spin one tire, if its a limited slip the other tire will spin the same direction. If the other tire spins the other direction, its most likely and open diff, but there's always the possibility its a worn out limited slip diff. The only way I know of to tell for sure is to take the cover off and look.

 

Ok, I thought that would probably show what kind it has, but i have to wait until the it gets warmer out so i dont have to check it on ice, and if it is a differentail is there any possible way that it could be modified and made into a non-slip without completely replacing it because i personaly would rather have a non-slip than a regular differential

 

There is one way to lock up an open differential, but I personally would recommend against it. If you take the rear cover off, clean out the fluid really well and dry the differential off, welding up the spider gears (you can use a welder or a lot of people melt them together with an acetylene torch) will turn it into a straight axle. Basically, this will simulate a spool and give you no differentiation between the axles like a differential or locker would give.

 

What about a clutch set up like the non slip differentials have or is that not possible to put in a regular

 

The clutch style differentials are actually "limited slip" differentials. The best they can do is about 60-40 torque split, so its not a true "non-slip" system. It's the best kind of differential to use on the streets because it will give enough to allow the wheels to turn at different speeds in a turn. A "non-slip" system would be a locker or spool, and can be used on the road but were designed for offroad applications and will be rough on the road.

But to answer your question, you can't put clutches in an open carrier, you'll need a limited slip carrier. If your truck does have a limited slip carrier in it, you can replace the clutches if they are worn out.

 

Ok hopefully mine does have a limited slip and if it doesnt ill probably take a look around at the junkyard though i do know there is another mid to late 80s Dakota at the junkyard but i dont know if thats the best idea, to go with a junkyard find

 

Yes you can put in a LSD into your rearend. It is simple but you HAVE to setup the ring gear and pinoin corrrectly. So if you don't know how, have a shop do it. Your going to have to buy the entire LSD housing. It depends on what you want to do with the truck but for best traction a full locker would be best. Now a selectable locker will give you normal street performance when you want it, but when you need the traction just hit the switch. A locker or LSD new will be about $700-800 or so. You can buy an automatic locker which unlocks only for turns when your foot is not on the pedle. But press down on the gas and you got a full locker. I have one. Around $400.(easy install too)

 

I got a factory dana trac lok limited slip differential on ebay brand new for $250 shipped (I needed the one for my 9 1/4 inch rear end, I don't know how much the 8 1/4 inch one cost but it can't be more), and then another $60 to get bearings pressed on it at the local machine shop. It took me an afternoon to install it, which required swapping the ring gear onto it, and my truck has ABS, so I had to swap the ABS tone ring (its a press on part that I removed and installed by sticking it in the oven to heat it up and used a hammer to carefully tap in off and then on, but your's won't have this). You don't have to mess with the pinion gear at all, but make sure when you put it back together you get the backlash on the ring gear right. You will need a dial indicator to set it and factory spec calls for .005-.008 inches.

 

Well right now i dont have enouph money for a full locker setup but i probably would rather go with the Limited Slip because my truck isnt set up yet for too much offroading (though i do plan to go offroading at sometime) but its a daily driver now and i just dont want or need it spinning one of the tires in a hard turn while on the gas and i also dont plan or need to get stuck in any snow