2wd driveshaft differences?

[rab]

2wd driveshaft differences,regular cab short box?

ok, i have a 83 ford ranger was a originally a 2.0 4 speed 2wd.
im swaping in a 2.3 turbo and fuel injecting it, along with a later model 5 speed M50D-R1 which i think in from a 92, but im unsure at the moment i will have to check the tag.

Well i was told the 83 2wd 4 speed stock driveshaft is a different length then the later model that came with the 5 speed.

So with that being said, can someone tell me the driveshaft differences in the 2wd's that have a regular cab and a short box?

 

[rab]

anyone?

 

[JoshT]

Can't help with your exact application. The drive shaft lengths varied with different engine and transmission packages. One engine and transmission option had the trans out put at point "A", while a different transmission with same engine might have been at point "B" a few inches further back, the latter would have required one a couple inches shorter.

If you were to find a drive shaft from a later model regular cab short bed (up to 97) that had the 4cylinder and M50D then it would probably be the right length. Seeing how the wheel base and frames were nearly the same until 97 I am pretty sure than it would be an easy fit, the issue then would be the flange at the axle matching what your truck has. I'd recommend getting that drive shaft before you even start putting the motor and trans in. They can probably be shifted forward or aft a little to accommodate the drive shaft.

That's really as much as I can help on this subject. My current build is the first time I've had to mess with a drive shaft, except for removing and reinstalling in a stock application. It is a very non stock application that isn't going to have the option of using a stock shaft. My I intention is to make the truck run, roll it onto the trailer (that I haven't built yet) and take it with the Explorer drive shaft to a shop hand have them build one for me. As such I really haven't looked into drive shaft stuff much.

 

[jpsaxnc]

You could put your truck up on jack stands, slide the 5 speed under it, aline the mounting holes on the 5 speed to the mounting holes on the crossmember, and see where the back of the 5 speed is in relation to the back of the 4 speed, if any that would be the difference in drive shaft length.

 

[rab]

Does anyone know when they changed rear end flanges.
I do have a 8.8 with 373s laying around from a 90 4wd, that I got along with some other ranger parts from a guy.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I don't know about the flanges, but the driveshafts should be relatively the same length (enough to swap and use) from anything pre-1997. in 1998 the wheelbase and cab got stretched 3".

If you're not changing your axle, I'd get a shaft from a 90-92 Ranger with the M5OD-R1, I think this should fall into the smaller flange category.

Otherwise, the centering lip on the pinion flange is still the same. You can use a center punch (or drill of sufficient size) to mark where you want new holes drilled. Use smaller drill sizes and work your way up to the size required by the tap, then chamfer and tap the holes. The DS is centered by that lip, the only thing the bolts do is hold it there. So as long as they're reasonably spaced apart, they should be fine.