2000 Ford Ranger 7.5-8.8 Axle Swap

[TheCitrusMaster]

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger (Mazda B3000) Ext. Cab with the stock 7.5 rear end. It is a 2wd, 3.73.

I am wondering, if swapping in a 8.8 axle from another ranger with the same 3.73 gearing, is there any modification necessary? Will it all bolt up?
Will the driveshaft bolt up with no modifications?
Will the parking brake bolt up with no modifications?
What year models for the axle will work best for this swap?
Anything else I should be aware of/other information on this swap?

Thanks guys!

 

[sgtsandman]

Back when I was entertaining the idea myself, I seem to remember everything is pretty much an even swap except perhaps the flange the drive shaft bolts up to but that seemed to be a crap shoot on whether it matched up or not. I ended up just getting another 7.5 from the junk yard with the gearing I wanted and some new u-bolts since they are really meant to be a one time use item.

 

[racsan]

If your doing this just for the bigger drum brakes, you can just transfer the backing plates , hardware & drums from a 8.8 to a 7.5 there’s not much advantage going to a 8.8 over a 7.5 except for brake size. Both are the same weight capacity. Granted covers and lockers are easier found for a 8.8 but that’s about it. When I swapped axles (I was going from 3.45 gears to 4.10’s) I did want a 8.8 but all the ‘yard had in that ratio was (2) 7.5 axles. Not sure about the parking brake, I’ve had issues with them sticking so I just torched off the cable at the backing plate. Park it in gear when I shut it off. Always have.

 

[tinman_72]

It is a plug and play swap. Driveshaft bolts right up. I think the only thing I had to do when I swapped mine was I had to buy new U-bolts.

 

[pjtoledo]

and now for the "required" question: why?
if you plan on more power that's a valid answer. if you just like to do stuff, I guess that's also a valid answer.

but you are staying with the same gear ratio, and didn't mention lockers, limited slips, or engine swaps.

the standard 8.8 has 28 spline axle shafts, the exact same shafts as the 7.5 does.
the 7.5 in my 2005 reg cab 2wd has lasted 355,500+ miles. I bought it new as my work truck so it had a rough life for the first 280,000.

stay away from 2010 and 2011 axles, they don't have the speed sensor on the differential and are only 28 splines.

 

[TheCitrusMaster]

I am eventually planning on swapping in a 5.0 from an explorer. The explorer rear end takes welding and other things that seem more complicated than simply swapping in a ranger axle. Although the explorer axle has a 31 spline as opposed to ranger 28 spline, I have heard that any 8.8 will do fine behind the 5.0. Correct me if I am wrong there.

I was also wondering, since it seems I may need a custom driveshaft made for this swap (with my vehicle being an extended cab and 2wd, everything that I have read points in that direction). I was really wondering if I could just leave my stock 7.5 behind the 5.0. I realize that one day, my rear end may fail me because it isnt meant for that "power" (if you really want to call 210hp power) but I wanted to make sure that should that happen a new 8.8 rear end could be installed without needing yet another driveshaft made.

From what I have heard so far in this post the install is completely bolt in, driveshaft bolts up, and no special modifications are necessary. If I have a custom driveshaft made with my stock 7.5 in the back, I should be able to at some point later in time install an 8.8 without needing a new driveshaft. Is that right?

 

[TheCitrusMaster]

I guess that what I am asking is if the flange fitment on both the 7.5 and 8.8 are the same. I could have probably worded all that better.

 

[tinman_72]

I guess that what I am asking is if the flange fitment on both the 7.5 and 8.8 are the same. I could have probably worded all that better.

Yes.

 

[O No 3.0!]

Had a driveshaft made? You know you could have swapped in an aluminum 1 piece factory shaft from a 98 up, right?