ELD Swap: My Journey to E-Locker Heaven -- Installation on Base Bronco (DIY + Photos)

[DGE1993]

So you stayed with the same gear ratio but with the E-Locker?

Yep! The E-locker was something I wanted since I saw my sisters F150 with a factory locker. If Ford would have let you order it on any package/config of Bronco like they did the F150 I would have got it at the factory.

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[Hey Buddy]

OK, you are now my new HERO!!
I have wanted to do this ever since I discovered the Ford Performance Parts complete 4.46 e-locker rear axle assembly!!!
Thank-you & keep us posted how it is doing?

 

[DGE1993]

OK, you are now my new HERO!!
I have wanted to do this ever since I discovered the Ford Performance Parts complete 4.46 e-locker rear axle assembly!!!
Thank-you & keep us posted how it is doing?

It has seen about three hundred miles so far and a day of trail use including a deep creek crossing without any issues. With Ford setting them up at the factory, hopefully there won't be any issues in the future lol.

 

[Hey Buddy]

If you get time, can you elaborate as to how you wired up the locker to Aux # 6?
How much wire did you use, where did you ground it, did you run the wires all the into the engine bay & attach, or did you use the remote wire located in the passenger rear wheel well?
I am very interested to hear more when you have time.

 

[Bronco_joe]

OK, you are now my new HERO!!
I have wanted to do this ever since I discovered the Ford Performance Parts complete 4.46 e-locker rear axle assembly!!!
Thank-you & keep us posted how it is doing?

I have a used locked rear 4.46 for sale on here. If you're interested

 

[FordOwner]

Congrats on completing this upgrade. Thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[Bruno]

Is this the one you installed?
https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-4000-446B

How did you address this note?
Note: ***FRONT AND REAR AXLE RATIOS MUST BE THE SAME***

 

[CPL_Rabbit]

Is this the one you installed?
https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-4000-446B

How did you address this note?
Note: ***FRONT AND REAR AXLE RATIOS MUST BE THE SAME***

4.46 is the stock ratio for non-SAS MT.

 

[Bruno]

4.46 is the stock ratio for non-SAS MT.

tx - what if you have an auto?

 

[Tricky Dick]

tx - what if you have an auto?

You have less fun.





But really, you might be out of luck if you have 3.73. I can't recall what the highest ratio locking rear is off hand, 4.27?

 

[CPL_Rabbit]

tx - what if you have an auto?

Depends on the trim. Check the lower right corner of the table here:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gear-ratio-speed-calculator-2-3l-2-7l-manual-and-auto.3561/

 

[DGE1993]

If you get time, can you elaborate as to how you wired up the locker to Aux # 6?
How much wire did you use, where did you ground it, did you run the wires all the into the engine bay & attach, or did you use the remote wire located in the passenger rear wheel well?
I am very interested to hear more when you have time.

I ended up running the positive and ground wire all the way from the engine bay down the frame to the rear axle following the existing harness the best I could. Being a two door I would guess I used 20 feet of wire plus or minus some.

I installed a grommet to protect the wire coming through the metal hole, and the rest is incased in plastic wire loom to keep it safe.

Down the firewall to along the frame.

Up and over in the rear still somewhat following the original harness.

Still following the original loom, but here is where I installed the heat shielding like Ford does from the Factory.

Final curl into the axle.

I put my suspension through the full range of motion and never had any tension on the wire or pinch points.

I originally though of using the factory wire ran to the rear of the cabin, but didn't know if there was a pass through to get it out and under to the axle.

 

[refade1]

This is a good review. I want to do this but I have 3.73 gears and everything is welded... sooo I have to do front and rear

 

[NatureBoy]

Finally…….I have been waiting a long time for something like this. Before I even got this thing, I have been scouring the net on how I can achieve this upgrade. First it was the ARB air locker, but the welded parts was the hurdled. Then Tom’s Off-road announced the Ultimate Dana 60, but that thing is not cheap….
I did not even know Ford offered this as an option and am kicking myself for not thinking to simply see if I could get the locked rear axle assembly from Ford.

Thanks again for posting this. I really wish they did allow us to award posts and not just simply “like” because this is a big community contribution.

 

[DGE1993]

tx - what if you have an auto?

You can use this chart to see which axle you have and try to find a locker of the same ratio. If there isn't one available in you gearing you would also have to redo the front axle to match the rear.

Side note about this chart that has been floating around in quite a few spots, it is actually wrong when it comes to the 4.46 ratio. "4L" should be listed as the locking diff and "46" should be listed as the open.

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