Locking Differential

Now my understanding of the N's is that the differential gears are lifted straight out of a Ford truck. Unknown vintage and type to me of course, as none of the books ever say what truck.

So my question and thought is do any of you know what type and era truck was used, were there locking differentials for them, and have any of you ever retrofitted a locking differential from a later tractor onto your N?

This could be interesting if I can find out what sort of truck was used. There's a company that makes a variant of the old Detroit Locker rear end for a mere $200 -250 bucks. It's designed to replace the spider gears of an open differential. Now I just have to ponder the effects of using a locker on a tractor. Biggest problem I can see is tight turning, especially if I were to try using the wheel brakes.

As it stands now, though, the oft-stated line at my place when the N isn't up to a job I'm trying to do (usually tree hauling) is "Go get the big tractor." The "big tractor" was a '96 Chevy Sub 4x4. Haven't found the tree yet that truck couldn't move.

Bad news is I traded it in a couple of weeks ago on a new Durango for the wife, though. Worse news is that not only does it look awfully light for "real" work, she'd kill me if I even tried it. Even worse news is I inherited her 2WD Chevy truck in the deal.

That's marriage.

Good news is I ordered an F350 DRW 4x4 diesel crew cab long-box last week.

That's a husband putting his foot down. And going a bit nuts in the process.

Pretty soon both of my tractors will be Fords.

A real Ford truck for the man in the family, and a little MoPar "truck" for the little lady.

And all's right with the world.

The dealer didn't know why it happened, but figured maybe it was because I shouldn't have used low range. Beats me what they thought low range was for.

Two Ford pickups later, I've discovered what the problem was. It was a GM product.

A good friend suggested using my pickup, an '89 Chevy 3/4 Ton, V8, 4x4, stick. In low range 4 wheel drive using the creeper gear, I hooked a chain to my hitch and the largest tree (with stump attached). I let the clutch out to tighten the chain (thinking the engine would lug down when tight) and when I looked in the rear view mirror the tree was moving without ever touching the gas pedal.

The truck didn't have to work hard, and was much safer to use for this task than my 8N. For what it's worth.

Regards,
John

If I remember correctly, you've got alot of mud up there. Save your pennies for a used FWD tractor next year or thereafter. One with a diff lock and posi front. Don't spend them on a backward compatible solution that will never really do the job right.

Of course, you could still keep your N for non mud jobs.

Regards