1987 Ranger LH spindle- part, parts inquiry and Part#

[dbuser2]

I'm in great dire need of a OEM LH wheel spindle for my 1987 Ford Ranger. I'm at my wits end locating one and even trying to do a informative search to know I'm doing a through search on the internet. I need to know for sure what year models the part covers and the part numbers the part goes by as those change over the years. I've not found a reliable source I can trust for part numbers much less know I'll be getting a decent part. Used parts even quoted as good can be quite worn. So that is subjective. I've looked at the exploded view in the technical section of this site where it shows the 1983-1992 radius arm. But that doesn't mean the spindle is the same for that model range. I've "heard" that the 1983-1988 models were the same. But don't know that to be 100% sure. I have every known book on this truck I can think of ; Service manual, Shop Supplement manual, Owners manual, Electrical & Vacuum Troubleshooting manual, and Engine/Emmisions Diagnosis, etc. But I do not have a truck parts list manual. Any help anyone can give would be appreciated. Especially if anyone has a "good" one to sell.

 

[gaz]

I don't think that the spindles changed from 83-94, Rangers, BroncoII's and Explorers except for 2 and 4 wheel drive?

 

[Shran]

Is this a 2wd or 4wd truck? If it's 2wd you'll need the whole knuckle... 4x4, 83-89 will be the years you're after, you have a Dana 28 axle. 90 and up will have a Dana 35 axle and the spindles from those will not fit your truck (although you can swap the entire axle from a newer truck into yours, assuming the gear ratio is the same.)

This is what you would need for a 4x4 truck although I think the price is pretty high for a used part:

Front Spindle Right or Left Side Bronco II Ranger Model 28 OEM Dana Spicer 4X4 | eBay

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[dbuser2]

Sorry, I failed to mention the truck is 2WD. I did find out the part number is E9TZ3106B for the LH, Driver side. I found an online parts place that allowed me to plug in the various years for the Ranger model starting with 87 showing that part number for each model year. But it is cumbersome in filling out the parts search. That part number is good for 83 to 92 even though it stated each time that the part is no longer available. So the parts diagram on this TRS site here is apparently correct as stated on the bottom of the diagram. Not sure about 93 and above. The site would not bring up any diagram for them. So this should help someone in the future. Used auto parts are subjective in quality and wear. Does anyone know of a parts number catalog or if there is a decent online "parts reference search index"? to make finding parts a lot easier. Something that would not only tell me the part numbers, but all the model years the part numbers are used. If anyone knows of one, please share. But life isn't always simple. Thanks, for all your help.

 

[Shran]

Often you can find such a parts interchange catalog at NAPA... Carquest, Pronto and some of the smaller chains might still have catalogs too. Autozone and O'Reilly will not be very helpful.

I think the problem you may run into is that there may have never been an aftermarket supplier for that part so it's possible that the Ford part number you found is the ONLY one. You need the whole knuckle...the spindle is part of it and cannot be removed.

I imagine there may be a NOS part floating around somewhere. eBay is a good resource but there are none listed right now. Personally I would start hitting up junkyards... you'll be looking for one that doesn't have any grooves in the spindle surface where the bearings ride. It's tough to find parts for 2wd trucks these days - a lot of the older Rangers that are still on the road are 4x4s, at least up here.

Not sure if 93-97 knuckles will work. Somewhere in there, ABS sensors were added and then bolt on brake calipers after that. 93-94 might be a second option but you will have to compare the knuckle to what you have now.