Express 3500 locker?

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

I am having a hard time finding a locker for my 2wd 2015 Express extended passenger van. It is a 6.0l if it makes any difference. I am willing to do an axle swap if needed, as long as it is bolt in, but hoping not to have too. Any suggestions?

 

[charlieaarons]

First suggestion is to let us know specifically about the rear axle: make, model, ring gear diameter, axle shaft diameter and gear ratio. It is your vehicle, you should do the research. Or else contact a vendor that can profit from the research like forum supporter Nitro Gear.

 

[Buddha.]

A gov lock was probably an option for your rig.

 

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

I will figure out the particulars and post them. What I know for sure, no gov lock, semi-float. 3.42 gears. I believe all of the gas 3500 vans use the same rear end 2015 to date. My local 4x4 shop cannot find anything for it, I'm not finding anything with my own searches.

 

[Len.Barron]

Both Dana 60 and 70 and some 14bolt AAMs in either full float or semi float came in the 3500's depending on year model and engine size..

 

[Devin W]

I opted for a Truetrac with a 4:10 gear. Essentially gives me the traction of a locker when needed without any extra switches or hardware and quiet. No need for friction modifiers like limited slip diffs. So far I've been pretty happy with it. Has worked well in combination with the factory TC (it doesn't seem to fight it since it ends up putting power to the wheel with traction so the wheel isn't spinning) and seems to do great on snow/ice/wet. I haven't had much opportunity to test it in compromised traction situations off-road yet. PN was 914A538 for 9.5" 14 bolt.

 

[broncobowsher]

Need to find what axle it is before you can shop for parts for it. I would recommend starting with the RPO codes inside the glovebox. Find the one for the rear axle and search what axle that comes back as. Once you know that then you can start shopping for what will fit it.

 

[Weldtec Designs]

Not 100% on this since there is always a variables..... Most likely you have a 9.50 -14 rear diff with the 6.0 gas. These come with a 3:42 gear stock. You have a couple different options as far as lockers go. A Detroit locker or Air locker by ARB. I have run both in our builds and been very happy with them. I personally like the ARB and the ability to have on board air, however there is a big price difference between them.

Is your van lifted or 4x4? do you plan on going 4x4?

Let me know if you need more help or want to purchase one.

 

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

Thanks to all for the feedback, great help!

The van is stock, 2WD. I am trying to avoid a 4x4 conversion because of the cost, but I may consider it. This vehicle is my wife's take the kids back and forth to school ride and will be used for light back country camping and exploring. I need to do something ASAP, we can't get up our driveway now that it has started snowing. Although I think it does fine on snow pack and icy highways, the wife is not comfortable with it. I just put four new studded snows on it. I think it does okay, except for the driveway issue. Our drive is a steep uphill, about 300', we live at 10,000' in the CO Rockies. She has an AWD Mercedes car she can drive, but wants to be able to use the van to cart the kids around. We are looking forward to some back road travel next summer too! We just bought this a month or so ago.

Weldtec - I would like some help with a locker or other suggestions. Who should I contact?

 

[Len.Barron]

The truetrac would be the best for snow, that little bit of give you get on turning will keep you from (so easily) spinning the inside tire in snow/ice...the ARB is fully locked or open...no in between, I have them on my jeep commando rockcrawler and absolutely love them but I wouldn't want to drive the roads in the snow fully locked like that..

 

[Buddha.]

I like the gov lock that came in my truck, it was probably a factory option for your truck as well. I've heard good things about the trutrack also. I think the trutrack is quicker to stop the one wheel from slipping. Not sure how they compare price wise.