would a f150 8.8 rear end fit in first gen ranger?

[MadMax_636]

My friend might be getting a 1986 f150 with a Borg Warner t18 or t19 not sure which but if its got the 8.8 rear end. I might see about using that in my 84 ranger since itll work perfectly with the BW T18 or T19 and the 302 ill be dropping in it.

It currently has a 4.9 which would make for a fun project. Getting a 300 in a ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You mean like if you cut off the spring and shock mounts and welded new ones on in the right places to fit a Ranger chassis?

Sure.

But then it would look weird because it is way wider than a Ranger axle. And of course Ranger wheels won't fit so your rear wheels wouldn't match the front unless you ran adapters.

 

[MadMax_636]

You mean like if you cut off the spring and shock mounts and welded new ones on in the right places to fit a Ranger chassis?

Sure.

But then it would look weird because it is way wider than a Ranger axle. And of course Ranger wheels won't fit so your rear wheels wouldn't match the front unless you ran adapters.

Im mainly talking about the diff. Not the whole rear end. Ive heard about people putting the Ford Explorer rear end into the rangers but My friend might be getting a parts truck that has a good bit of stuff that could help me getting my 302 into my pickup.

I wanna know if I could use the diff or if I should get something else.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you have a 31 8.8 spline (fx4 or Explorer) axle sure.

Normal Ranger 7.5 or 28 spline 8.8 is a no go.

 

[MadMax_636]

If you have a 31 8.8 spline (fx4 or Explorer) axle sure.

Normal Ranger 7.5 or 28 spline 8.8 is a no go.

ok, I honestly dont know much about diffs or which mine has. It being stock is all I know. Should I look for a explorer rear end? Im wanting to retain my drums since I plan on using my ranger for light towing as well as stealth camper rig and a normal pickup.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

91-94 Explorers run drums.

Disks work great for all the above though, I have a disk brake explorer axle in mine and after 10 years I have 0 complaints.

 

[franklin2]

Im mainly talking about the diff. Not the whole rear end. Ive heard about people putting the Ford Explorer rear end into the rangers but My friend might be getting a parts truck that has a good bit of stuff that could help me getting my 302 into my pickup.

I wanna know if I could use the diff or if I should get something else.

The "diff" or center section is the whole rearend. It's all welded together, all you can take out is the gears and bearings, and of course they will not fit in anything but another 8.8. You need a rearend that is the correct width and has the 8.8 center section.

 

[sgtsandman]

Im mainly talking about the diff. Not the whole rear end. Ive heard about people putting the Ford Explorer rear end into the rangers but My friend might be getting a parts truck that has a good bit of stuff that could help me getting my 302 into my pickup.

I wanna know if I could use the diff or if I should get something else.

If you are talking about the ring gear, pinion gear, and carrier from a F150. The answer is maybe. You will need to know what the splines on the donor axle shafts are (probably 31 spline) and what the splines on your axle shafts is (probably 28). They have to be the same, otherwise they won’t work and you can’t just grab some axle shafts from an FX4 axle and put them in an axle that uses 28 spline shafts. The tubes and bearings are different.

You could get an Explorer axle for the swap but then, you could just get one with the gearing you want and not need the donor axle.

Or you could just get a Ranger axle with the gearing you need and just bolt it in.