Ok, so I have been wrestling with the idea of welding my rear end up for the past year...i finally figured out that i just dont have the funds for it right now (not to mention that my dad absolutely veto'd the idea of a welded third...something about posi traction being hard to handle on the road yada yada yada...whatever), so...im gonna pass on that. BUT I came across the 12 bolt locker thread thats on the PBB right now, and saw Sundowners post about the LSD he had. Havent recieved it yet, but after the 4th im sending him the price of shipping and its mine.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
So....i feel like i can do this myself...ive removed third members before, so it shouldnt be too out of my league. I just want to make sure i have the steps right.

*Drain fluid
*Take off tires
*Take off brake calipers
*loosen 4 bolts holding hub to axle assymbly
*pull out shafts 2-3 inches
*unhook rear driveshaft at the pinion
*take off bolts/nuts holding third to housing
*remove old third
*inspect bearings/shafts
*put in new third w/lsd
*put RTV gasket sealer around new third
*do prior steps in reverse

Does that sound about right? Will it be similar to taking out a 10 bolt except without drum brakes (its a semi floater too, correct?)

Also, should i use a special LSD diff oil when i refill it? A friend put an LSD in his car and had to use special oil, but it was a $1500 racing LSD, so i dont know if i have to worry that much about it in this one.
Any input, suggestions?
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I have a buddy w/ Toms Bronco Parts here and got the install for $45 lol. So I just had them install it. Plus they never did one before so all the guys were ooing and awwwing at my Trooper.

Yes you will need some LSD Additive. Its not that expensive, comes in small bottles. You just add it to your gear oil.

Ive had mine in about 3 months now, no heavy wheeling though. Enough to know the LSD does help vs an open diff, but you still get stuck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

I was second in line for the LSD BTW lol. Looks like you grabbed it!

Are you getting the entire third (i.e gears and all) or just the carrier.

If it is the former, it is an easy swap. Although, you forgot the step of "stop, get hernia surgery when you pull out that 90# chunk of cast out of the axle." Of course, getting it out is easy, because of gravity, getting it back in is almost impossible. I would start praticing your close quarter, out of position bench press ASAP.

If it is just the carrier, I hope he sends you the races that go with the bearings. If not, you have some work ahead of you. Actually, because it is your rear axle and it is used daily (or at least on the road, at speed) you really need to have someone set up the gear pattern. The pinion should be fine, but you need preload and back lash set because that carrier, while close, is not exactly the same as the open one you have now.

Good Luck,
Michael

I got the entire third. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

And trust me, i know how heavy these things are. I thought the 10 bolt was pretty hefty, and i managed to smash my hand undernieth it when it finally came falling loose. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> Luckily, it was smashed into ground (read as: earth-mixture of sand and rotting vegatative material) instead of concrete, where i will be doing this swap. Im gonna have a couple of jacks to help, it would be nice to have a tranny jack, but i dont.
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The only thing I'd suggest in your process is
where you said "*pull out shafts 2-3 inches".

I'd suggest pulling the axles ALL the way out.
Otherwise, the axle is going to be resting on the seal,
which is likely to damage it.