91 axle swap

[1991 Blue danger ranger]

I'm buying a lsd for my 1991 ranger, and its from a 2003. both 8.8, 3.55 gears, but mine is open and of course the one I'm buying is a lsd. i wanted to ask if there were any differences i need to look out for? abs hookups or speed sensors, brake parts, anything at all. TIA!

 

[Brain75]

That's one of the upgrades I am looking to do for myself (open to factory LS) so have researched a bunch, all depends on what year you get. If it is 2nd gen to 2nd gen I don't think you will find any differences. Later gens the OSS (speed sensor) was elimnated, moved, etc - the VSS (also speed sensor) comes out of the trans on ours (speedo cable head) and at some point that too got moved. As you know our gen has the RABS not full ABS, and at some point that too changed.

The tech library has gobs of info on the 8.8 and swaps and even explorer swaps (you have to flip the mounts or it is a big drop).

Axle Tech - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

I think the one that will answer all the details (like the shaft length differences) is going to be the history:

Ford 8.8-Inch Rear Axle History & Specs - The Ranger Station

Usage: The Ford 8.8-Inch axle came in a few different vehicles including the: Ford Mustang (1986-2014) Ford Bronco (1983-1996) Ford F-150 (1983-2012) Ford Ranger (1990-2011 4.0L models) Ford Aerostar (1989-1997) Ford Explorer (1991-2001) (The Ford Explorer Sport still used the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[sgtsandman]

I believe the rotation direction of the TTB Dana 35 axle is the reverse of the Dana 35 SLA in the 2003. Being that there are different LSD units listed for each specific axle, I don't know if you can use one from an SLA in a TTB.

 

[SenorNoob]

I'm unclear. Are you swapping the whole axle assembly or just the differential?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I believe the rotation direction of the TTB Dana 35 axle is the reverse of the Dana 35 SLA in the 2003. Being that there are different LSD units listed for each specific axle, I don't know if you can use one from an SLA in a TTB.

Since he mentioned 8.8” in his original post, I figured he was talking about swapping for a limited slip 8.8”

I do know that the Jeep D-35 carrier will fit the TTB D-35. Gears don’t, same as SLA D-35 gears don’t work with a TTB D-35. So I’m now looking for a Jeep D-35 E-locker because the Choptop needs it, lol.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'm unclear. Are you swapping the whole axle assembly or just the differential?

This is a good question. The whole axle should swap as long as the ABS sensor is in the center chunk. My Choptop currently has a rear axle out of a 2000 Ranger. I did have to cut and weld the spring perches back on because the Bronco II has the leaf springs spaced an extra half inch wider on each side. Everything hooked right up including all the brake lines.

Swapping the whole carrier you have to re-set the gears

 

[sgtsandman]

Since he mentioned 8.8” in his original post, I figured he was talking about swapping for a limited slip 8.8”

I do know that the Jeep D-35 carrier will fit the TTB D-35. Gears don’t, same as SLA D-35 gears don’t work with a TTB D-35. So I’m now looking for a Jeep D-35 E-locker because the Choptop needs it, lol.

Rereading the original post, it does appear I misread the original post.

 

[1991 Blue danger ranger]

I believe the rotation direction of the TTB Dana 35 axle is the reverse of the Dana 35 SLA in the 2003. Being that there are different LSD units listed for each specific axle, I don't know if you can use one from an SLA in a TTB.

shouldnt the rear be identical either way? if they reversed the rotation the front driveshaft likely just comes in at the other side.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

shouldnt the rear be identical either way? if they reversed the rotation the front driveshaft likely just comes in at the other side.

Rear is the same, more or less. There are a few 8.8” differences but the carrier and gear sets are the same for 8.8” for the most part.

 

[sgtsandman]

shouldnt the rear be identical either way? if they reversed the rotation the front driveshaft likely just comes in at the other side.

Aside from misreading the original post and talked about the wrong axle, if I remember correctly, the 35 TTB pinion is on the top of the differential and the 35 SLA is on the bottom (or vice versa, I can't remember which) so the teeth are cut differently and the direction of rotation is different.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah pinion is above the axle centerline on the TTB D35 (below on the SLA IFS 35).

I'm buying a lsd for my 1991 ranger, and its from a 2003. both 8.8, 3.55 gears, but mine is open and of course the one I'm buying is a lsd. i wanted to ask if there were any differences i need to look out for? abs hookups or speed sensors, brake parts, anything at all. TIA!

The 2003 8.8" axle assembly is 2" wider at the wheels than your '91 axle, but everything else is the same (including the spring perch width). It will bolt up fine.
That extra 2" actually puts it closer to matching the width of your D35 front axle too.

The link Brain75 posted explains it:
'91 8.8" = 56.5" wide
'03 8.8" = 58.5"
D35 (TTB) = 59.5"