How easy is it to swap to a new axle for repair

[Daviondude]

What I have:
1992 Ford ranger stock 4 cylinder
Rear diff: 3.73 ratio, 7.5”, 2WD
It has bad pinion bearings and I either need to put in new bearings or put a new axle in. I could do either but am looking for a cheap easy solution (not that a bearing swap is terribly difficult, it just sounds like an axle swap is easier). If I need to I’ll swap out the bearings however I am planning to call around junk yards and see what they have in full axles.

Ideally I’d like to match the year but It is getting a little scarce. I know the later models are common, however I don’t know how easy it is to swap out for a newer axle. I have found plenty of things on swapping out to things like 8.8”s but not a lot on switching to a like a 1995 axle. I know they are similar but it sounds like there are some minor differences. How difficult would this be and what complications would arise from making a swap to a 1993-97 axle? Thanks!

 

[RonD]

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Bookmark this page: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

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Home........Ford Ranger Forum.......Tech Articles <<<that one

On that page is a section for AXLES, "Axles, Gears, Hubs & Lockers"
In that section is 7.5" axle info, here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-7_5-axle.shtml

1983 to 1997 are the same, in 1998 they got 2" wider but can still be mounted on 1997 and earlier Rangers

8.8" is the same mounting as 7.5", also wider in 1998

Ranger axles seemed to last so a used axle is not that big of a gamble, but still an unknown, even to the auto recycler

 

[ratdude747]

What I have:
1992 Ford ranger stock 4 cylinder
Rear diff: 3.73 ratio, 7.5”, 2WD
It has bad pinion bearings and I either need to put in new bearings or put a new axle in. I could do either but am looking for a cheap easy solution (not that a bearing swap is terribly difficult, it just sounds like an axle swap is easier). If I need to I’ll swap out the bearings however I am planning to call around junk yards and see what they have in full axles.

Ideally I’d like to match the year but It is getting a little scarce. I know the later models are common, however I don’t know how easy it is to swap out for a newer axle. I have found plenty of things on swapping out to things like 8.8”s but not a lot on switching to a like a 1995 axle. I know they are similar but it sounds like there are some minor differences. How difficult would this be and what complications would arise from making a swap to a 1993-97 axle? Thanks!

3.73's in open 7.5 AFAIK are pretty common and for many years were the stock axle unless special ordered or with the towing package (those had a 4.10 stock instead). My old (wrecked) 1995 has one (open 7.5"). Hell if you were local and I was in a position to fully part it out I'd have an axle for you (with recently rebuilt 9" drums, somewhat recent amsoil fluid, and new parking brake cables too!). Want a parts truck (kidding unless you ARE local to the louisville area and want a parts truck).

 

[Curious Hound]

In my opinion ion, axle swap is easier than pinion bearings.

Where are you located? I'm sure there are plenty of 7.5"s around. I have one to sell. I'm near Greenville, sc.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Daviondude]

Thanks for the information! It should not be hard to find an axle then. Thanks for the offers, however I'm in Utah. Thanks again everyone!

 

[4x4junkie]

1983 to 1997 are the same, in 1998 they got 2" wider but can still be mounted on 1997 and earlier Rangers

It should be 1983-1992 is the same, and then 1993 they got 2" wider (but indeed will swap across those years because the leaf spring perch dimension is the same).
I sent a note for Jim (site owner) for a correction to the chart on that page.

It should be noted the driveshaft flange size also changed in (I believe) mid-1990 so that is something else you may want to verify before you take home an axle (you can swap the flanges, though that's still tampering with the lid on that same can o' worms as getting into the pinion bearings since you'd still be taking off the pinion nut).