8.8

[troymn]

Hi, Looking at updating from a 7.5 to a 8.8 limited slip on a 1997. I plan on a ranger axle not explorer. My question is what is different with the newer axles (say a 2002)? I look at car-part.com and it will combined 94-97 and 98-02. Is it the abs connector? Will it bolt up and will the cables for the e brake work? If not what needs to be changed to make it work correctly. Thank you for any help!

 

[RonD]

Have a read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

1998 and up were 2" wider than earlier because of the body style change

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Have a read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

1998 and up were 2" wider than earlier because of the body style change

1990-1992 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle - 56-1/2 inches
1993-2009 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch Axle - 58-1/2 inches

Bodywise a 98+ is the same basic carcass as a 93-97 but with a different front suspension and a facelift. The beds are the same.

No idea why they say they are different.

 

[4x4junkie]

×2, I'm not aware of any differences whatsoever among '93-'09 Ranger rear axles other than both the 7.5" and 8.8" were offered. The confusion probably does come because the fronts were changed quite radically for '98.

'93 is when the rear became 2" wider than the '92 models.

 

[troymn]

Thanks guys!

 

[Will]

But don't do it. There's nothing better about a Ranger 8.8 over a Ranger 7.5 . Being a semi-float axle, all the weight is dealt with through the shafts, which are the same in both axles. They put a taller ring gear in behind he 4.0 engine,but the 7.5 has always held up well even with V8 conversions long before the 4.0 was offered.

A 7.5 axle will hold up to almost anything. It's not where you should put your money to make the truck better.

An Explorer 8.8 is an upgrade because it uses the same axle diameter and bearings as an F150 so it has a lot more weight capacity.

I would bet for an offroad Ranger, the 7.5 would handle any tire you could get on a Ranger. Might not have good gearing options, though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Gear selection, better locker selection maybe and stronger pinion gears in the 28 spline 8.8... and it bolts in.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, the 7.5 is a strong axle for it's size, but the available gear selection sucks. Locker selections are non-existant.

 

[pjtoledo]

I'll add that my 2005 reg cab 2wd is about to hit 300,000 on its 7.5.
I run 235/75-15, and always had 500 lbs of tools in the bed.


Auburn gear offers a LSD, Detroit Truetrak has a listing too.


Perry

 

[troymn]

I appreciate the advice