7.5 to 8.8 rear end ?'s

[Iron Ranger]

I currently have a 7.5 rear end in my 92 Ranger and would like to install an 8.8. Do I have to get one from another Ranger, or could I use one from a Mustang? How would axle lengths play a roll? I am not very experienced in this part of the build.

[red85]

There are a lot of ways to go with this one. Your best bet for a bolt in swap is an 8.8 from another Ranger or B truck. If you want 31 spline axles and you are pretty good with fabrication, the Explorer rear ends are the right length, but you'll need to fab shock mounts and add spring perches to accomodate the Ranger style spring over axle design.

[projectnitemare]

Those are your best options. You don't even need the fab skills for the Explorer 8.8. You can use a bolt on axle flip kit to get the same results. If you can fab then you can use pretty much any axle.

Matt

[red85]

. You can use a bolt on axle flip kit to get the same results.

Where can I get one of those kits, Matt? I didn't even know they were offered anywhere.

[projectnitemare]

Mostly a street truck thing. The lowering guys use them all the time to get a spring over turn to a spring under to get less height. I'm pretty sure you can order them from pretty much any custom parts mag. Summit has them for $240 but they have little info on them. Some are application specific and some are universal; that is one thing to check before you order.

Matt

[Capt Jay]

If you have even the most basic welding skill flipping a Explorer 8.8 is very easy. Grind off the old spring perches and weld a set on the other side. Perches are cheep. For shock mounts you can either just use strap steal and drill holes in it or you can do like I did. I just cut the ones off the Explorer spring holder( sorry don't know it's real name) and ground them to fit the axle and welded them on. The complete job took less than a day. I believe the total axle length on the 8.8 is 3" longer than the 7.5. This could be wrong on the "95, mine was a "83.

[red85]

Got any pics of that, Captain? I'd like to see the finished product.

[projectnitemare]

Welding spring mounts may sound easy but really shouldn't be a beginner thing. Yes true that the u-bolts hold the axle to the truck and so on but that's not the issue. The factory axle tubes are actually very thin. Too much heat will cause some problems. There is a chance of burning though if you get retarded but more likely you will warp the tube. Yes it is true you can save the shock mounts; I've done it. The flip kit is if you have zero skills or welder.

Matt

[red85]

Matt, do you think I could use my mig welder to weld those perches?

[v-8power]

Hey Phil, You can use your mig welder for those perches.

[pineypower1186]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4648

the third pic down will show u what ur finished product will look like. its an explorer 8.8 with 31 spline axles and a 3.73. what are the gear ratios in ur truck now and is it 2wd or 4wd?

[Iron Ranger]

I don't remember the ratio's and its a 2wd.

[projectnitemare]

Phil a mig is fine. When you do weld them only go an inch or so at a time. Have both sides ready so you can alternate sides to let one side cool as you work on the other to prevent warpage. You can get new perches cheap so it is almost dumb to try to save the old ones; I know Jegs has them. Just be sure to get your pinion angle right to avoid driveline vibration.

Matt

[purplehaze]

Just find a ford ranger thats in junk yard that had or has a 4.0 engine they came with 8.8 rears, all i did was put 373 posi for a mustang in it and good to go .