1992 Ranger Rear Axle Replacement. NEED ADVICE

[midnightrdr]

Hi Guys!
I'm new here, but been lurking awhile. I need some advice....

My truck is a 92 ext cab with a 4.0 / 5 speed and 2 wheel drive. At some point, the rear was changed out to a 7.5 with 3.73 gears.....it is now howling bad so a replacement is in order. I have a nice low miles 8.8 unit with 3.55 gears out of a 1999 Ranger. It looks like it would bolt up in every way, except it is about 2 inches wider overall.
Anyone have any experience running a later 8.8 in an older truck? This truck is a clean daily, used on the highway and I am not interested in modding it....just want a reliable ride.

Can I use the 1999 rear I have? ...would the extra inch on each side cause any issues at all?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

[Curious Hound]

From what I have read, that should bolt in fine. I'm running an 8.8 that I was told came from a 2001 Ranger FX4 and it bolted into my 1993 with no problems.

You may find this chart helpful to see what the gearing change will do to your speed if you don't change the ring and pinion.

 

[adsm08]

It will fit in fine, and the tires won't even stick out if you are running stockish 215/75/15 ish tires.

I put an Explorer 8.8 in my 87 and it could still tuck the rears until I went to the 31x10.50s and now I need load leveling shocks in the rear or I rub the rear tires over bumps when the bed is loaded.

 

[midnightrdr]

That sounds promising. I am running stock 14 tires.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Unless you're specifically looking for it, it's not noticeable. YOU might for a while, because it will be just a bit wider, but it won't look out of place or weird. Basically it's something only you would notice because you've analyzed the before and after.

 

[midnightrdr]

Sounds like I'll go with it. Does anyone know if the parking brake cable is the same? In other words, the cables already on my 92 will work with the 1998 rear axle?

 

[Curious Hound]

I used the original cables with my swap. Only difference might be if you're going from drum brakes to disc brakes. I'm not sure about the cable differences in that scenario

Eric B

 

[fr7]

You'll be ok, I replaced the one in my 98 with a limited slip out of a 94, it bolted right up and works great. In my case though I had to keep the same ratio since it's 4wd.