8.8 upgrade

[Speedwagon]

Just found on craigslist, a fantastic price on a '99 Ranger 8.8 28 spline axle. Currently on an '87 7.5. Just want to verify before buying... the '99 8.8 is a direct bolt in, yes? No mods necessary to make it fit the truck(other than gearing appropriately)?

I know the '99 is 2" wider than my axle, which is good since I'm using 1" wheel spacers on each side to make the current wheel/tires fit right.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It'll bolt right up.

 

[Speedwagon]

It'll bolt right up.

Sweet. That's what I needed to know! The price of the axle+gears will put me just about the same(slightly over) as getting just the gears for a 7.5.

 

[Speedwagon]

Got the axle today. If I want to put in Autometer gauges later, can I use the speed sensor on the new axle, instead of getting the gear conversion sensor?

 

[scotts90ranger]

one thing to note now that you have the axle is your driveshaft might not bolt to the flange on the axle, but if I'm not mistaken you should be able to go to the junk yard and just grab the flange off of a '90 or newer ranger or explorer and swap that onto your current driveshaft...

 

[Speedwagon]

one thing to note now that you have the axle is your driveshaft might not bolt to the flange on the axle, but if I'm not mistaken you should be able to go to the junk yard and just grab the flange off of a '90 or newer ranger or explorer and swap that onto your current driveshaft...

I did think of that while looking at the axle at the guy's house.

 

[scotts90ranger]

go to the junk yard with a 12 point 12mm wrench, a dead blow hammer (or a 2 lb sledge or something) a 3/4" socket and in a few minutes you can get the flange you need...