jcsonderegger
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2016
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1996
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Manual
Hey all,
I'm interested in an axle swap, like many, for better gears and a limited-slip. I have a 96 2wd ranger with the 2.3. My stock 7.5 axle has the 3.73 gears. I've been looking into the common Explorer swaps. However, I am not a welder at all. I don't even know a good welder. Nor am I much of an engineer. From the tech articles I understand there is a way to swap the Explorer 8.8 without welding, but in reading that article, it mentions that the back end will drop between 4-6 inches, and my little 2WD needs all the help it can get.
So, as to my question. Which vehicle/axle will be the easiest, most bolt on and idiot-proof combination for a swap? Every junkyard in the area has probably 15 explorers for every ranger in stock so those would be preferred.
- Am I better off to look for an Explorer 7.5 with the limited-slip and higher gears, or will that still require technical modification?
- Do the Ranger 8.8s need to be welded/modified?
- Or do I just forgo my DIY-centric nature and just pay someone to do this crap for me?
Also, I spent a little time wading through forum posts, but if you can link me to someone else's thread I won't be offended at all.
I'm interested in an axle swap, like many, for better gears and a limited-slip. I have a 96 2wd ranger with the 2.3. My stock 7.5 axle has the 3.73 gears. I've been looking into the common Explorer swaps. However, I am not a welder at all. I don't even know a good welder. Nor am I much of an engineer. From the tech articles I understand there is a way to swap the Explorer 8.8 without welding, but in reading that article, it mentions that the back end will drop between 4-6 inches, and my little 2WD needs all the help it can get.
So, as to my question. Which vehicle/axle will be the easiest, most bolt on and idiot-proof combination for a swap? Every junkyard in the area has probably 15 explorers for every ranger in stock so those would be preferred.
- Am I better off to look for an Explorer 7.5 with the limited-slip and higher gears, or will that still require technical modification?
- Do the Ranger 8.8s need to be welded/modified?
- Or do I just forgo my DIY-centric nature and just pay someone to do this crap for me?
Also, I spent a little time wading through forum posts, but if you can link me to someone else's thread I won't be offended at all.