Str8sixfan
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2012
- Messages
- 284
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Automatic
In some ways yes, in others no. WJ axles have a different axle shaft. I'm not necessarily sure of the pros/cons with it...it is not a u-joint based axle shaft (CV shaft?).
Now if you were going to get new custom wheels anyway and swap out the rear axle like I plan to...going with a WJ axle isn't the worst idea either as they have a different bolt pattern than the ranger/explorer, but obviously then you'd have to source a rear axle with the same width and bolt pattern; I think you'd almost be limited to a jeep rear axle in that case which in turn wouldn't be a R&R affair like I plan to do when I hopefully find a 2002+ Level II ranger 8.8 with Trac-Loc and 4.56s already in it. I don't think Ford makes anything ranger width with a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. The F150 8.8s obviously have the 5 on 5.5, but would be wider than the WJ axle. Another option is you could swap out unit bearings on the WJ with an XJ...but I'm not 100% sure you can leave in WJ axle shafts with the XJ hubs...hence you're back to where we started, putting WJ knuckles on an XJ axle.
If I had to do it over, I would be picky with finding a front axle with the gear ratio you want. I'm thinking you might be able to find a waggy 44 with 4.10s in it already and set up for cross-over steering. This would have been a better axle from the start with little money to put towards it, and I believe in the end more economical. Then you'd still have to find a rear axle (like I'm doing anyway too) with the similar width and bolt pattern, but you'd have full widths and a better end product I believe for close to our potentially less $$. I have a feeling my D30 will have near $700 in it when all is said and done and I got the axle for free. (most of that cost is gears and new unit hubs).
Now if you were going to get new custom wheels anyway and swap out the rear axle like I plan to...going with a WJ axle isn't the worst idea either as they have a different bolt pattern than the ranger/explorer, but obviously then you'd have to source a rear axle with the same width and bolt pattern; I think you'd almost be limited to a jeep rear axle in that case which in turn wouldn't be a R&R affair like I plan to do when I hopefully find a 2002+ Level II ranger 8.8 with Trac-Loc and 4.56s already in it. I don't think Ford makes anything ranger width with a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. The F150 8.8s obviously have the 5 on 5.5, but would be wider than the WJ axle. Another option is you could swap out unit bearings on the WJ with an XJ...but I'm not 100% sure you can leave in WJ axle shafts with the XJ hubs...hence you're back to where we started, putting WJ knuckles on an XJ axle.
If I had to do it over, I would be picky with finding a front axle with the gear ratio you want. I'm thinking you might be able to find a waggy 44 with 4.10s in it already and set up for cross-over steering. This would have been a better axle from the start with little money to put towards it, and I believe in the end more economical. Then you'd still have to find a rear axle (like I'm doing anyway too) with the similar width and bolt pattern, but you'd have full widths and a better end product I believe for close to our potentially less $$. I have a feeling my D30 will have near $700 in it when all is said and done and I got the axle for free. (most of that cost is gears and new unit hubs).