Towing with a 7.5 vs 8.8 - Page 3

**adsm08** · 07-01-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdawall

I want to say 1041 steel on the 8.8" shafts vs whatever is normal. I had it posted somewhere but can't find it now.

But wouldn't that make the upgrade as simple as installing 8.8 shafts in the 7.5 axle? Since all else seems to be the same.

cdawall · 07-01-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adsm08

But wouldn't that make the upgrade as simple as installing 8.8 shafts in the 7.5 axle? Since all else seems to be the same.

Yup minus the ring gear/pinion/carrier difference. There is a possibility of length difference on the shafts.

**adsm08** · 07-04-2012, 12:44 PM

I happen to have a 7.5 and a 28-spline 8.8 in the garage. I think this is worth trying.

Hagan · 07-04-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85_Ranger4x4

If this in the trailer I would ditch the 7.5 in a hearbeat for something with electric brakes.

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

85_Ranger4x4 · 07-04-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagan

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

Because unlike most that only venture to the dump twice a year this one sounds like it is due from some more serious road time... and you take a bunch of moving parts out of the mix.

lil_Blue_Ford · 07-06-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagan

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

So that you can actually stop when (not if, but when) some moron pulls out right in front of you and doesn't get out of the way fast enough.

rusty ol ranger · 08-01-2012, 02:18 PM

Ive had 3500+ lbs behind my 87 and never really had a problem with stopping. Electric brakes are never a bad idea but not usually nessacary as long as you pay attention.

later,
Dustin

**Will** · 08-09-2012, 11:43 PM

&.5 and 8.8 shafts are the same--same steel, too. Same parts.

There are two things at work here. The rear axle has two jobs. It's a semi-float, meaning the weight of the truck is carried by ends of the shafts. The second part is that the thrust of starting and stopping the load is also carried, in torsion, by the shafts. The he load in the bed is the same no matter what engine you have. It's not a problem for any Ranger axle shaft.

Now you have to look upstream. What engine are you trying to throw at the load? The Ranger engines run from a 2.3L to a 4.0L. Te Ranger shafts are in no danger of being twisted up by these engines, and the loads are acceptable to the shafts. The bigger motors, Ford thought, need bigger ring and pinion gears to handle the engine torque and the deccel and accel surges. That's all. drive smoothly and a 5.0 with a 7.5 axle will be fine.

**kryptonitecb** · 08-10-2012, 01:03 AM

I believe the ranger 7.5 & 8.8 are similar but the explorer 8.8 is stronger.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

85_Ranger4x4 · 08-10-2012, 08:32 AM

The 7.5 was supposed to have fairly weak spider gears, the 28 spline 8.8 fixed that.

I never had a problem with them, just that vibration that could have been anything from an axle bearing to a messed up shaft.

wildbill23c · 12-17-2012, 06:52 PM

So its safe to say that my stock 84 B2 will tow an average of 1800lbs with no problems and not have to worry about breaking anything including land speed records LOL.

**Mac** · 12-17-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildbill23c

So its safe to say that my stock 84 B2 will tow an average of 1800lbs with no problems and not have to worry about breaking anything including land speed records LOL.

I flat towed a Courrier truck, had to weight over 3000 lbs 200 miles with no problem, just kept it out of fifth. That was with my '84 BII, bone stock.
Dave

08-01-2012, 02:18 PM	#31
rusty ol ranger Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Year: 1987 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	Ive had 3500+ lbs behind my 87 and never really had a problem with stopping. Electric brakes are never a bad idea but not usually nessacary as long as you pay attention. later, Dustin __________________ A truck without an 8ft bed? It isnt a truck, its a glorified four wheeler! *Big Cubes, Big Carbs, and big cars....the american way!* 87 Ranger XLT "Rusty" 2.9\TK5sp\2wd 300K, ...not my only vehicle.
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08-09-2012, 11:43 PM	#32
Will Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Columbus, Indiana Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 Class: 4X4 Used For: a chicken house Posts: 5,849 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	&.5 and 8.8 shafts are the same--same steel, too. Same parts. There are two things at work here. The rear axle has two jobs. It's a semi-float, meaning the weight of the truck is carried by ends of the shafts. The second part is that the thrust of starting and stopping the load is also carried, in torsion, by the shafts. The he load in the bed is the same no matter what engine you have. It's not a problem for any Ranger axle shaft. Now you have to look upstream. What engine are you trying to throw at the load? The Ranger engines run from a 2.3L to a 4.0L. Te Ranger shafts are in no danger of being twisted up by these engines, and the loads are acceptable to the shafts. The bigger motors, Ford thought, need bigger ring and pinion gears to handle the engine torque and the deccel and accel surges. That's all. drive smoothly and a 5.0 with a 7.5 axle will be fine. __________________ '83 Ranger cab, '89 B2 frame, 4.0, C5, D35/8.8, 4.10s, Lockrights. '87 Chevy crew 6.2 Banks turbodiesel TH400 GearVendors 4.10 14-bolt Detroit '96 VW Passat Tdi '00 Ford E350 15-pax Powerstroke '09 Suzuki TU250X '04 Moto Guzzi Breva http://willwills.com/
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08-10-2012, 01:03 AM	#33
kryptonitecb Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver, trail ready Posts: 990 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (1)	I believe the ranger 7.5 & 8.8 are similar but the explorer 8.8 is stronger. Sent from the road while ignoring traffic
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08-10-2012, 08:32 AM	#34
85_Ranger4x4 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Between Omaha & Des Moines Year: 1985 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: A weapon of massive consumption. Posts: 11,186 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (0)	The 7.5 was supposed to have fairly weak spider gears, the 28 spline 8.8 fixed that. I never had a problem with them, just that vibration that could have been anything from an axle bearing to a messed up shaft. __________________ 1985 Ford Ranger Custom, 4x4, PA 3" BL, 5.0 HO wannabe, C5 Transmixer, 31 spline T/L 8.8 w/ disc brakes. Build Thread My Ranger is not old; no one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine truck: weatherly, stiff and fast... very fast, if she's well handled. No, she's not old; she's in her prime.
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12-17-2012, 06:52 PM	#35
wildbill23c Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Idaho Year: 1984 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II, 2.8LV6 4x4 5 speed Engine: 2.8L Class: 4x4 Used For: Work & Commuting Posts: 873 Rep Power: 4 iTrader: (0)	So its safe to say that my stock 84 B2 will tow an average of 1800lbs with no problems and not have to worry about breaking anything including land speed records LOL.
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