Meet Lucy the three wheeled differential-less Ranger

[Trump8MyKids]

(Yes, a friend and I named my truck Lucy. Don’t ask why, long story)
Well today has been interesting. I started off today going for a windows down drive with my girlfriend as it’s finally high 30s out and we’re out of the sub-zero temps for now (it’s a Wisconsin thing you wouldn’t understand). It was sunny out and life was great.
...Until the diff blew up just before a roundabout. We coasted into a wayside and soon realized we had a Mopar issue as every gear was a neutral. I left it in gear when I went under the truck and was surprised to see the driveshaft spinning (I didn’t know what happened prior). So we called for a ride and left the truck there til we could figure out what to do seeing I’m in high school and money is scarce.
Jump to about 7 pm. We’re on our way to the truck with a friends Silverado and a tow strap ready to take her home. Of course, Murphy’s law couldn’t wait to jump in and about two blocks from where we started we ran into a slightly major issue. I felt a wobble so I look out my side mirror and I watched my wheel and axle slide out from my truck and bounce away.
yeah that was interesting. I know you love carnage so I’ll see if I can get my hands on the diff pics.
ust want to add I absolutely love this truck and I will try to pull all the money together to get her back on the road but as I said I’m in high school so there’s a chance she may have met her fate.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Awww, that sucks big time. Hope you can figure things out.

 

[Blmpkn]

The good thing is, you can likely find a complete axle to put in it at a junkyard or off marketplace/ Craigslist for next to no money. Good luck!

 

[Uncle Gump]

I agree...

You shop around you should be able to buy a complete rear axle very reasonable.

I will say you can probably fix this way cheaper then you buy another car to drive.

 

[Dirtman]

Aren't C-clips just a wonderful invention...

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck.
The guys are right though. You should be able to find a good replacement at the junkyard or buy using copart or online.

Just make sure you factor in the costs of PB blaster and some tools if you don't have them.

Lucky is lucky it has you. Most people would have left him abandoned on the side of the road.

I see good times ahead.

 

[97RangerXLT]

oh that sucks. the above guys are right, get an entire axle assembly and spend an hour or two swapping it out. just get new u bolts. I have seen a full 7.5" ranger axle go for 20 bucks and not sell here in the Indy area. (to be fair, it did leak oil, but was otherwise usable and good condition) I think you can get an entire axe assembly for 150 at the local pull apart, that includes the drums/ brakes.

AJ

 

[Trump8MyKids]

Here in Wisconsin they seem to be going for 400-500 bucks. It’s costing me about 1500 to fix the whole thing. Really sucks. Unfortunately still without my lil truck but I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel again everybody seems to be convinced that I’m a nut job for fixing it but it’s worth it to me

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Welcome to the club, lol. Those who never really owned these trucks don’t understand how easy they are to love.

As far as the axle goes, you should be able to find a deal, try looking like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace or the like. Ideally you’ll want an 8.8” rear, but in a pinch you could use a 7.5”. The important thing is to get the same gear ratio. Other than that, any rear from a Ranger will bolt in. Bronco II rears should fit, but they will all be 7.5”. Explorer rear axles will work up to 2002, but will require some fabrication to work because they are spring under instead of spring over and from mid 90’s up they have disk rear brakes which isn’t a bad conversion.

 

[franklin2]

Here's the selection of different rearends available in 1998.


drum), 7.5" ring gear, 10" brakes, 3.73 ratio
(drum), 7.5" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio
(drum), 7.5" ring gear, 9" brakes, 3.45 ratio
(drum), 7.5" ring gear, 9" brakes, 3.73 ratio
(drum), 7.5" ring gear, 9" brakes, 4.10 ratio
(drum), 8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 3.55 ratio
(drum), 8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 3.73 ratio
(drum), 8.8" ring gear, 9" brakes, 3.55 ratio
(drum), 8.8" ring gear, 9" brakes, 3.73 ratio

I picked the 8.8, 10 inch brakes, 3.55 ratio. Look like you should be able to get one for around $200.

Here's what I found in Wisconsin.

1998 Rear Axle Assembly Ford Ranger	3.55	157,917​	A​	QD7307	$200​	Jantz's Yard 4 - ARAPro USA-WI(Kenosha) Request_Quote 1-800-554-4770 Request_Insurance_Quote	552​
1998 Rear Axle Assembly Ford Ranger	64535 8.8 3.55 TAG #S357M 10"BRAKES	117,000​	A​	G98068	$Call​	Blaines Auto & Truck Parts USA-WI(Slinger) Request_Quote 262-644-8808 Request_Insurance_Quote	595​
1998 Rear Axle Assembly Ford Ranger	4X2-141K	141,208​	A​	2323	$250​	Tisler Salvage Inc. USA-WI(Reedsville) Request_Quote 920-864-7631 Request_Insurance_Quote

 

[don4331]

I'm surprised @RonD hasn't chimed in - it's a Red Ranger; of course you are going to fix it.

$1,500 sounds a bit extravagant, but I don't know if that includes the lift on the flatdeck as well or not.

2 hours is probably pushing it even for a shop, when you include bleeding the brakes et al, but I they better not be quoting over 4. So, even with the outrageous local prices locally ($150/hr), it should be less than a grand. I, of course, would spend the money on tools and pizza for my buddies, and do it myself. But I like doing that kind of thing and have facilities to do it (paved driveaway as minimum).

Don't limit yourself to '98 axles - any '93-09 axle works; I'd stay away from older and BII ones, they aren't quite right. From what I can tell, it is a 2wd, so ratio isn't critical - the sensor is in the axle, so speedo won't be affected. Personally, a Ranger will never be fast, so I would go with lowest ratios (4.10s) so it would at least be quick- relatively . (All things considered, I pay a few extra $$$ for an FXII axle with Torsen for the good limited slip). An Expo axle can be made work with lowering brackets from an F-150 and has advantages of not only being stronger, but the discs will retain the axle even in event of c clip failure.

p.s. There's lots of Canucks on the forum and we totally get driving with windows down as soon as the heat wave get above 5C.

 

[Dirtman]

When I consider if something is worth fixing, the main decision is... could I buy another vehicle for the same cost of the repair?

1,500 bucks is alot of money for a repair, but you can't really buy a reliable truck with that either, so it's worth fixing...

 

[Trump8MyKids]

Just wanted to thank all of you for all the help. I went with an axle from Tisler Salvage in reedsville (not the same axle previously mentioned, but one like it off an 03). Not lying when I say I drove our lawnmower to the junkyard. It’s normally a half hour drive but with the lawnmower it took 2 hours one way. I threw the axle in the little lawn trailer we have and chugged on home . Had to stop a couple of times to refuel and cool down but it was entirely worth it.
I ended up having a local shop install it as I was lacking a lift/ jack stands (along with time as classes took up most of my time) and the truck was towed there anyway to begin with. And yes, it was a little less than 1500 bucks. I did have them give me the old axle back so I could take a look at the carnage and get a few bucks when I scrap it. Obviously I’ll give you guys all the pics you want as I know you love carnage

 

[Uncle Gump]

We want pictures of you towing the axle to the shop with your lawn mower...

 

[Trump8MyKids]

Believe me I regret not taking any pictures. Would’ve made a great story for my kids some day lmao