Swapping 7.5" For 8.8" in 2WD Ranger

[Drg racr]

Any 8.8" rears I should stay away from? I want a bolt in if it's possible, otherwise I might mini-tub it.

 

[4x4junkie]

ANY Ranger rear axle will swap for ANY Ranger axle (except for the driveshaft/pinion flange, '89 & down, '90&up).

'93 & up rears are 2" wider overall at the wheel flanges than '92 & down rears.
You may want to keep an eye on the gear ratio you need for your engine & tire size as well (unless what you need never came factory, in which case it won't matter).

3.27, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10 ('98up only for 8.8") were all available factory ratios.

 

[Drg racr]

So, probably the 4 cylinder trucks would have the 3.73 or 4.10's? I have a 93 Explorer with a 3.73 limited slip, but that's my current driver, and besides it's 4x4.

 

[4x4junkie]

4cyl trucks will have 7.5" axles.

3.73 and 4.10 8.8s are usually found in 4.0L 4x4 trucks (some 3.0L Supercabs got 'em starting in '98 as well)

 

[Insanejughead]

4cyl trucks will have 7.5" axles.

3.73 and 4.10 8.8s are usually found in 4.0L 4x4 trucks (some 3.0L Supercabs got 'em starting in '98 as well)

My '94 2.3L is 8.8.

 

[metalmacguyver]

My '94 2.3L is 8.8.

you sure thats the original axle?

 

[Mutant Pony]

The stock Ranger 8.8 axle is not an upgrade though. The Exploder axle is. The regular Ranger 8.8 axles are the same as the 7.5 (28 spline). The Exploder axles use 31 spline. If you want a drag racing axle you should have a 9" cut down and install it with a 4 link.
35 spline axles,spool.

 

[Insanejughead]

you sure thats the original axle?

Yep, I'm sure it's the original axle.

I double checked the tag on the cover and looked hard around the rest of the back end to see any signs of a possible conversion. I do not understand why the door tag specifies a 7.5. Is there anyway to trace the VIN number to find out if Ford did something different for my truck? Or is it even possible that I have 7.5 gears in a 8.8 housing???

Again... I haven't seen anything that has ever been changed on this truck before I got it. I found the original wires, plugs, shocks, and radio still on this thing. What else is left that I could check (that list is just off the top of my head)

Later,

 

[chvlfrk]

? & Fyi..............

So, probably the 4 cylinder trucks would have the 3.73 or 4.10's? I have a 93 Explorer with a 3.73 limited slip, but that's my current driver, and besides it's 4x4.

==========================================
What year Ranger you workin on?

I've got a 98 Explorer (1" wider than 93-97 Ranger) disc braked 8.8 w/3.73 posi rearend under my 94 and I put a 89 Bronco II (1 1/2" narrower than 93-97 Ranger) 7.5 posi under my Son's 93, you can see the difference in the pics below, as we both run 275/60's on 15X8 rims, but either one is a "direct bolt-in".....................

Here's a pic of mine:

My Son's:

Hope this helps ya out a lil'>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Insanejughead]

HOLY HEAVEN! I'm loving the wheels your son has on his Ranger!!

Oh, and it is hard to tell about the axle width differences, but it is there.

Chvlfrk, what was the original rearend in both of those trucks?

 

[Hjcraver]

Chvlfrk, Both trucks are Great looking.You say your 93 was a "Direct-Bolt-In " using an 98 Explorer axle ? I thought you had to weld on new spring pads and shock mounts?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Chvlfrk, Both trucks are Great looking.You say your 93 was a "Direct-Bolt-In " using an 98 Explorer axle ? I thought you had to weld on new spring pads and shock mounts?

That depends on if you want to have it SOA or not, having it SUA would be a instant way to lower your truck.

 

[chvlfrk]

THANKS for the compliments!!!

InsaneJughead: He's got $700 in those wheels & tires, and both our trucks
had 7.5's w/3.45 gears.................

Hjcraver: His 93 has a 7.5 out of a 89 Bronco II, my 94 has a 8.8 out of a 98
Explorer, and YES, it was a bolt in, the Ranger shock mounts on the
frame are able to be used with the Explorer leaf spring pads, and it
gives your approx. 4" of drop in the rear. Only way you would have
to change the leaf spring perch location, was if you were doin a
4X4 and want to keep it axle under spring setup.

Here's pics of mine w/98 Explorer 8.8 rearend:
Box off & no shocks yet>

Box on & shocks mounted>

AND, I LUV the posi:

 

[Insanejughead]

Do you have a spare? Or a place to put one?

I love the vid too!!!