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89 Ranger rear end swap to Bronco II


codepoet82

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Does anyone know if the rear end from an '89 Ranger can be used on a Bronco II? Last weekend one of my friends swamped my Ranger and hydro-locked the engine. This has caused a terrible rod knock, so its time for a replacement. Since my truck already has a salvage title, I would like to find a non-salvage Bronco II for cheap that can be repaired with parts I already have.

So far my best lead is for an 1986(?) Bronco II with a bad rear axle, I've seen the Axles tech page say there is a size differences between the Ranger and Bronco axles, does anyone know if that would be a deal-breaker for me? Should I continue my search and keep trying to find a rig with a blown transmission instead?

In case it matters, both vehicles are the 7.5" rear end, with a 3.73 ratio.

Thanks,
-Ken
 


adsm08

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Worst case scenario you just need to swap your guts over to the blown axle.
 
country0001

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Someone looked at the Tech Library first. Im shocked
Sounds like it should.
 

AllanD

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The bronco2 axle is 1-5/8" wider than a Ranger axle ALL the extra length is in
the right side of the axle.

The spring perches are also further apart on the bronco2 axle.

AD
 
bobbywalter

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AllanD said:
The bronco2 axle is 1-5/8" wider than a Ranger axle ALL the extra length is in
the right side of the axle.

The spring perches are also further apart on the bronco2 axle.

AD
Click to expand...


they are more centered


but they bolt in, just have to pull the leaves over a bit. used to have to do that quite regularly.
 

AllanD

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bobbywalter said:
they are more centered


but they bolt in, just have to pull the leaves over a bit. used to have to do that quite regularly.
Click to expand...
Yes, it works to put the bronco2 rear in the ranger, anyone who would do it the other way around would have to have a serious wish to roll their bronco2.

AD
 
bobbywalter

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actually you have to mangle the tank skid on a gen 3-up


and can cause exhaust issues going ranger-b2, never noticed rollover issues besides its already increased propensity to tumbleweed at inconvenient times...


but i am sure its increased
 

codepoet82

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Thanks guys, that's what I needed to know. I'll keep looking for a b2 with a failing transmission or transfer case instead...

-Ken
 
peracer

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I did this swap when I moved everything from my V8 Ranger to my BII. The Ranger axle is narrower and I had to cut the spring perches and reweld them to the BIIs width. This is OK for a 2wd like mine, but I wouldn't do it if had a 4wd since the tires would sit in farther. I probably would not have done the swap except my rear end was an 8.8 that I just had built.
 
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