Anybody ever use a Sterling 10.25?

[TexasRebel]

I have a 89 f-250 with 350 suspension under it that I am going to be pulling the 351w out of for my 90 Ranger and I was wondering if anybody has used a Sterling 10.25 rear end under a Ranger. I am only wondering because I know that the 8.8 that it has now will work, but I'm wanting to be different and also make the truck stronger. I know that the axle is wider and would need to be narrowed, but that doesn't bother me. If anybody has done it, please put up some info on what other mods you did with it. If anybody has pictures, I would also like to see them.

 

[Hagan]

The bad thing about a Sterling 10.25 is not much of a locker selection. Very strong axles, full float, but heavy (vs an 8.8)

I have a 10.25 sitting at home and been thinking about upgrading but I think its unnecessary.

 

[TexasRebel]

The bad thing about a Sterling 10.25 is not much of a locker selection. Very strong axles, full float, but heavy (vs an 8.8)

I have a 10.25 sitting at home and been thinking about upgrading but I think its unnecessary.

I know it is a little over kill, but I figured I could/ would do it since I already have it and wouldn't have to go buy a different rear end if I want to swap the 8.8 out. I just like the idea of a built 8 lug ranger.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

There are a ton of lockers available for the sterlings....

I am running one in the back of my 91. It's narrowed roughly 4" using 2 short side shafts.

 

[TexasRebel]

There are a ton of lockers available for the sterlings....

I am running one in the back of my 91. It's narrowed roughly 4" using 2 short side shafts.

Thanks for the pics and the info man! I would have figured that it would need to be narrowed more than that though.

 

[cammeddrz]

In a recent issue of Petersen's they did a writeup on how to build one, the various model/year differences, and how it compares to its nearest counterpart (the gm 14bolt)

if I am remembering correctly, apparently there are a total of (3) different pinion options (and thusly 3 different types of gears for them), and there isn't an additional pinion support bearing.

it was a pretty good read, they went through and showed the measurements of shafts, splines etc.

 

[TexasRebel]

In a recent issue of Petersen's they did a writeup on how to build one, the various model/year differences, and how it compares to its nearest counterpart (the gm 14bolt)

if I am remembering correctly, apparently there are a total of (3) different pinion options (and thusly 3 different types of gears for them), and there isn't an additional pinion support bearing.

it was a pretty good read, they went through and showed the measurements of shafts, splines etc.

Alright. Thanks. I'll look that up sometime. This one currently has IIRC 5.11 or 5.12 gears in it, but they will get swapped out for something a little less aggressive.

 

[Hagan]

There are a ton of lockers available for the sterlings....

Shit you're right. I looked awhile back on a site and they only offered a couple lockers. I read somewhere that not many were offered but could have been a long time ago.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Thanks for the pics and the info man! I would have figured that it would need to be narrowed more than that though.

I got the width down to 61 1/4" WMS to WMS. They are around 65" stock if I remember right.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0506-ford-1025-1050-inch-axle-tips/

 

[Hagan]

When I break my fw 8.8 I will be upgrading to one of these.

 

[TexasRebel]

I got the width down to 61 1/4" WMS to WMS. They are around 65" stock if I remember right.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0506-ford-1025-1050-inch-axle-tips/

Thanks for the info. I'll make sure and save it somewhere so I won't forget about it and ask again. What size tires are you running in those pics and with what gears in the rear end?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

40's with 5.38 gears and a Yukon grizzly locker

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[Scrambler82]

I am not saying don't but what others have stated is good info, too heavy, too much mod'g to install, too expensive for part to get started.

If you really don't want the 8.8 trade the Sterling for a good lighter weight 9", once built the 9" will give you years of off reading and standup to everything you put to it.

If you find one that has been cut down to EB size or is from an Early Bronco it is almost a bolt in.

There is also a full floater kit if that is where you are going with a bolt pattern of 5x4 1/2.

 

[TexasRebel]

40's with 5.38 gears and a Yukon grizzly locker

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

Ok. So I should be good with 35s or 37s with the 5.11 gears that are in it now.

I am not saying don't but what others have stated is good info, too heavy, too much mod'g to install, too expensive for part to get started.

If you really don't want the 8.8 trade the Sterling for a good lighter weight 9", once built the 9" will give you years of off reading and standup to everything you put to it.

If you find one that has been cut down to EB size or is from an Early Bronco it is almost a bolt in.

There is also a full floater kit if that is where you are going with a bolt pattern of 5x4 1/2.

I'm not really worried about the weight or any of that. I'm doing it since I already have it and to be different. Tons of people use the 8.8 or the 9, but for what I'll be using the truck for, the 10.25 should work just fine.

 

[--weezl--]

actually, i know of more trucks on this site with the 10.25 than i do the 9... I believe gwaii also has a 10.25 in his ranger (which has 2 tc's, 2 manual transmissions, 1 auto transmission, and is a mid engine 460 with nitrous) (d60 up front?)

the 9" would be the axle i would suggest if it were my call, I can understand the "i've got it i want to use it" mentality though... might be able to make a few bucks getting the 9 for the 10.25, the 9's are way more common IIRC too

i was going to mention samsquanch has one, but he posted before I got a chance lol