8.8 swap

[Eli Warnke]

Hey i have an 86 ranger and im hoping to 8.8 swap it, im picking one up out of a 2000 ford ranger and was wondering what all i need to do to get it done and what i will be facing, will i need to get a new driveshaft u joint to do this? And will i have to do any welding or anything? Thanks

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The only thing you should need is the yoke part of the U joint from the donor or something '90 or newer from the junkyard, I "think" the U joints are the same, they just changed the flange size in '90

Other than gaining ring gear strength and probably 10" drums instead of 9" drums, going to a Ranger 8.8 isn't much of an improvement, you will gain about 1.5" inches in width though I think.

 

[Dirtman]

More aftermarket goodies for the 8.8 and considering they are so common if you have to change axles there's no point NOT to upgrade to the 8.8 over the 7.5.

If you're doing it just "because" then yea you're pretty much just wasting your time unless you're going all the way to a 31 spline disc brake axle.

 

[19Walt93]

If it's a stock 86 upgrading to an 8.8 is a waste of money and will add unsprung weight.

 

[dvdswan]

If it's a stock 86 upgrading to an 8.8 is a waste of money and will add unsprung weight.

Curious. Is this an opinion or a known fact? Hoping to learn something.

 

[19Walt93]

It is heavier, that's a fact. An 85 Mustang GT came with a 7.5 and they took quite a beating. The 8.8 is no doubt stronger, if you need the extra strength. The biggest engine in 86 was a 2.9.

 

[Eli Warnke]

The only thing you should need is the yoke part of the U joint from the donor or something '90 or newer from the junkyard, I "think" the U joints are the same, they just changed the flange size in '90

Other than gaining ring gear strength and probably 10" drums instead of 9" drums, going to a Ranger 8.8 isn't much of an improvement, you will gain about 1.5" inches in width though I think.

Sorry, i forgot to mention it is a limited slip 8.8, and i like to go off roading with my buddies quite a bit, so it should make a little improvement rather than the open diff

 

[Eli Warnke]

Sorry, i forgot to mention it is a limited slip 8.8, and i like to go off roading with my buddies quite a bit, so it should make a little improvement rather than the open diff

And in the future i would like to put a locker in it

 

[Eli Warnke]

If it's a stock 86 upgrading to an 8.8 is a waste of money and will add unsprung weight.

Welcome to the site.

Thank you

Welcome to the site.

Thank you for your service

 

[dvdswan]

It is heavier, that's a fact. An 85 Mustang GT came with a 7.5 and they took quite a beating. The 8.8 is no doubt stronger, if you need the extra strength. The biggest engine in 86 was a 2.9.

Ok, fair enough, but as the devil's advocate, is the 8.8 that much heavier than the 7.5? maybe 50 lbs. IDK Also, if the stang GT came with the 7.5 couldn't you use that and swap the truck axle gears onto the stang rear end as it probably would have a LSD in it. Correct?

I looking to learn this stuff as I want to get a Gen 1 4x4 here in the near future to restore for my new daily.

 

[19Walt93]

Ok, fair enough, but as the devil's advocate, is the 8.8 that much heavier than the 7.5? maybe 50 lbs. IDK Also, if the stang GT came with the 7.5 couldn't you use that and swap the truck axle gears onto the stang rear end as it probably would have a LSD in it. Correct?

I looking to learn this stuff as I want to get a Gen 1 4x4 here in the near future to restore for my new daily.

Mustangs use rear coil springs so all the brackets would be wrong- and they have 4 lug wheels. After 85 GT's had 8.8's and Ford never figured out that Traction Lok would be worth having in the 4 and 6 cylinder cars for snow driving. Better to just put a limited slip carrier into your 7.5. Ford Motorsport/Racing/Performance used to sell one cheap, if it's discontinued Yukon has a decent unit. I'd avoid Auburns and powertrax drop in lockers, and save Detroit Lockers for the hard core racers or mudders.

 

[dvdswan]

@19Walt93 Thank you.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I just swapped an 8.8 into my 89. Here’s the link to my truck thread. I listed everything I had to do.

89 Ranger 4.0 Swap and Hunting Rig, the Houndrunner

I bought this truck about 6 months ago. The original owner had started the 4.0 swap. I was kinda leery about it and I hope the engine is as sound as he claimed. But here’s the basics. The truck is an early 89 that had a 2.9 and a manual trans (FM-146). The motor, dash and majority of the wiring...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Eli Warnke]

I just swapped an 8.8 into my 89. Here’s the link to my truck thread. I listed everything I had to do.

89 Ranger 4.0 Swap and Hunting Rig, the Houndrunner

I bought this truck about 6 months ago. The original owner had started the 4.0 swap. I was kinda leery about it and I hope the engine is as sound as he claimed. But here’s the basics. The truck is an early 89 that had a 2.9 and a manual trans (FM-146). The motor, dash and majority of the wiring...

www.therangerstation.com

Ok so all i need is a driveshaft from another ranger with an 8.8, and ill be good, cause thats what im planning on doing.