• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

where to look for an r5 axle?


1991 Blue danger ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
52
Reaction score
17
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
i want to convert my ranger to an lsd. i have axle code 95 in my door (8.8 open with 3.55 gears, 1991 model year) and i saw that a truck with the axle code R5 is what i want to find to keep the same gear ratio. my question is, what years/ models do i look for? i haven't seen much for 3.55s at all and don't know where to look.
 


SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,192
Reaction score
1,173
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
AFAIK it should be possible to swap from 1990-2011 as long as it's an 8.8 from a Ranger. At some point they got disc brakes. It would be easier to avoid those. There is a width difference 93+ though. It might or might not matter for your case.

If you wanted to do a little more work to convert it to spring over, Explorer axles (91-01) were all 8.8 and had slightly large shafts out at the wheel bearing end. I found Explorer parts to be more common in the junkyards near me.
 

1991 Blue danger ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
52
Reaction score
17
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
i know that they used the 8.8 through all of the years and that it got wider, I'm just trying to figure out when and what models had the r5 code.
 

2011Supercab

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2021
Messages
624
Reaction score
651
Location
Washington
Vehicle Year
2023
Make / Model
Toyota Tacoma
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
You will just have to check every truck you find, a 3.55 limited slip would have been a special order.

Most 4x4's came with 3.73 or 4.10 and even then limited slip was special order on 99% of the trucks.
 

1991 Blue danger ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
52
Reaction score
17
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
You will just have to check every truck you find, a 3.55 limited slip would have been a special order.

Most 4x4's came with 3.73 or 4.10 and even then limited slip was special order on 99% of the trucks.
Kind of what I thought upon learning I had a 3.55 4x4 in the first place. Hopefully my luck is good and I won’t have to look too long.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
24,683
Reaction score
6,048
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
the 91 can be tough....there were abs and non abs and 355 was pretty rare. but lsd is fairly common in 3.73.......4.0 trucks didnt really have the 4.10 till 93 models but those are heavy in lsd....
 

2011Supercab

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2021
Messages
624
Reaction score
651
Location
Washington
Vehicle Year
2023
Make / Model
Toyota Tacoma
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
@bobbywalter
What about getting just the limited slip carrier out of any gear ratio and putting his ring gear on it?
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
24,683
Reaction score
6,048
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
the cost and effort of that is past me. often times you have to re shim ect. though you can get lucky. i would never pay to install a clutch pack limited slip.. a torsen or tru trac justify the effort though. generally i can get a whole axle 1-150 complete so that is what i do.

i prefer to bolt in a replacement for 150 bux.
 

1991 Blue danger ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
52
Reaction score
17
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
@bobbywalter
What about getting just the limited slip carrier out of any gear ratio and putting his ring gear on it?
that would work? i could manage that, didn't know that it was a possibility. how difficult would it be to remove the center off a diff from a junkyard truck?
 

1991 Blue danger ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
52
Reaction score
17
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
the cost and effort of that is past me. often times you have to re shim ect. though you can get lucky. i would never pay to install a clutch pack limited slip.. a torsen or tru trac justify the effort though. generally i can get a whole axle 1-150 complete so that is what i do.

i prefer to bolt in a replacement for 150 bux.
i tried to look up replacement kits nut they're all 500$ plus, that's why I'm asking how to find a complete axle.
 

Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
16,732
Reaction score
19,316
Age
60
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
that would work? i could manage that, didn't know that it was a possibility. how difficult would it be to remove the center off a diff from a junkyard truck?
Removal is easy. Installation can be difficult. It involves setting up the gears for proper engagement, backlash and bearing preload. Special tools and trial and error with different shim combinations until the engagement pattern is correct. Then torquing the pinion nut until proper preload is attained. As Bobby mentioned, it is far easier and less expensive to swap in the whole axle.
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,192
Reaction score
1,173
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
As Bobby mentioned, it is far easier and less expensive to swap in the whole axle.
Too bad Ford never built a Ranger/Explorer with 4.56 gears. It would save me a ton of money.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
13,900
Reaction score
14,778
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17

lil_Blue_Ford

Cut & Weld
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,195
Reaction score
7,680
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
00
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”
It’s just a matter of searching to find what you want. The axle codes are all over the place, there’s no specific year or trim package that will always have the same axle code. Around here, for whatever reason, open rear axles are super common and it’s semi-rare to find a limited slip. You would think being in a place with hills and snow in the winter that limited slips and 3.73 or 4.10 gears would be common, but nope.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Rick W
October Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Vagabond Video

25th Anniversary Merch

Follow TRS On Instagram

25th Anniversary Sponsors

TRS-3 Ford Ranger Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top