Re gear or find new axles

[Ruford]

I have an 88 xlt with axle: 84 and from what I read is a 7.5 with 3.45 gears. I'm not a 100% but from what I've read is it's a Dana 28. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.

So any way the truck has 325/60/15 which is like 30 to 31 and like 12+ wide, so needless to say this thing is gutless. The damn 2.9 puts out 140hp lol

I am trying to figure out if It would be cheaper to buy gears? or junk yard dive and try and find 8.8 rear and matching front axle?

Also I live in Hawaii so junkyards are very limited

 

[RangerSVT]

Even in hawaii, gen 1 explorers (91-94) I'm sure are plentiful and in junkyards or backyards around you. If you can find a donor that has 410's, it would be a decent gear for you, best part is, you will be upgrading your front axle to a Dana 35 as well as the rear to an 8.8...456's would be the gear selection of my choice, but they didn't come from the factory with that ratio...
SVT

 

[Ruford]

So from what I've read that swap is easy just need to re weld on the spring perches. And I have started looking on Craig's list in my area. The only problem being is their a list of what year came with what gearing? Or is it a cat and mouse game of asking, for the axle code and then looking it up?

 

[RangerSVT]

91-94 all had different gearing, mostly 373, but some had 410's...the majority had limited slip differentials...
SVT

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Its mostly a cat and mouse game. ask for the code, or pull the cover and count the teeth.
i think the gearing is stamped on the ring side too.

4 cyl 4wd Rangers had 4.10. but ull still be with a D28 and 7.5.
the Ranger Edge had the 8.8 with 4.10 gears. its not as strong as the explorer 8.8, but its stronger than the 7.5

 

[Ruford]

So I was looking at the explorer swap and my 88 would need to find a different axle or get an adapter, anything weird with the front axle?

 

[RangerSVT]

For the 8.8 swap all you need is the spring perches relocated on top, and the flange off the driveshaft for the 8.8....The front is a direct bolt in swap...
SVT

 

[Ruford]

Not sure if you guys would know about this but the lift on the truck right now has dual shock setup. Am I going to run into any issues because of this? And is the only way to find out what gears are in the front by looking at the sticker and counting the gears?

I got this truck from my uncle who passed away so it kind of sucks can't just ask him what everything is.

Thanks

 

[RangerSVT]

There will be a tag (should be anyways) on the rear diff, look at the bottom row, all the way to the left. The first 3 numbers will be your ratio...
SVT

 

[4x4junkie]

Shock setup shouldn't affect anything, the D28 & D35 are a direct swap for each other. The only thing is the D35 has a slightly longer pinion shaft so you might need to shorten the front driveshaft an inch or so if you don't have a suspension lift on your truck.

91-94 all had different gearing, mostly 373, but some had 410's...the majority had limited slip differentials...
SVT

'91-'94 Explorers didn't come with factory 4.10s, only later SLA IFS explorers had 4.10s, which the front axle won't work under a TTB truck.
Some 1990-1992 4-cylinder 4x4 Rangers had 4.10 D35s however, which would work well with a 4.10 8.8" from the later Explorer. 4-cyl 4x4 trucks aren't real easy to find though, you might have to bite the bullet and regear one yourself (in which case I'd probably go up a notch to 4.56 gears).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

91-94 all had different gearing, mostly 373, but some had 410's...the majority had limited slip differentials...
SVT

Still gotta check though, our '94 was open with 3.27's.

'91-'94 Explorers didn't come with factory 4.10s, only later SLA IFS explorers had 4.10s, which the front axle won't work under a TTB truck..56 gears)

The '95+ rear axle would still interchange about the same though with the perk of disc brakes. It would save a couple hundred bucks on having at least one axle setup with new gears.

 

[bmxnick7]

Not sure where you are located but I am taking the 4.10 with ls out of mine.

 

[Hagan]

Not sure where you are located but I am taking the 4.10 with ls out of mine.

Also I live in Hawaii so junkyards are very limited

First post...


I would swap axles. But thats just me. And stop whining about your gutless 2.9. My 2.3 has 90hp and used to have 3.45 gears too.

 

[JohnnyUhlar]

how complicated would it be to re-gear the axle yourself? i havent gone looking for a rear axle yet but i wanted to know wich would be easier and cost less. i drive a 2.3l with stock gearing and i hate it. i drive a 97. what do you guys think would be the best way to go about getting some 410's? and i only need a rear axle. unless its wider than my front axle then ill do both. it would look stupid if the back was wider than the front.

 

[Sunk]

It is very difficult and time consuming even for those that are very mechanically inclined and familiar with the process.

The rear may be wider than the front, but may be only a couple inches depending what year truck the axle comes from.