7.5 to 8.8 swap

[ml23t]

Okay guys, I have a 90 2wd Ranger. I have a moderate 2.3 turbo in the works. I know the 7.5 axle probably won't be up to it. It looks like I can get an 8.8 from a mid 90's Explorer, disc brakes and all from the junkyard. I see the sticky thread on it, Thanks-very helpful. Just had a few additional questions... E-brake cables from both vehicles maybe fornt cable from ranger, rears from explorer? The truck is 5 speed, i don't know what make of trans, if it will hold up, i think the speedometer is driven from the trans, so if i keep the gear ratio/tire size the same then the speedo should still be right... i think Thank You!

 

[Shran]

You are probably not going to break the 7.5, but the 8.8 is a cool swap. I can't help you much with the e-brake since I got rid of that. I think you have to modify one end of the Ex cables to make it work. You have an M5OD trans that will hold up just fine, and you are correct about the speedo deal.

 

[AllanD]

The best excuses for the 8.8" axle are:

easier maintainance... if you choose to run 3.73 gears a 7.5" must be disassembled and the ring gear seperated from the carrier to rebuild the limited slip clutches...

next is that an 8.8" rear has a much larger limited slip clutch area
so they wear more slowly given the same useage.

8.8" axles ALWAYS come with the larger 10" drums.
Personally I recommend going a step further and using the Aerostar
drums

BTW, I recommend against gearing a turbo "short" of the four or five I've driven
the "happiest" were the 3.55 geared ones.

The one with a 3.73 8.8" (the customer insisted) was just a bit breathy.
The one with 4.10's was awful, it was great for incinerating tires but not
for much else.

AD

 

[scotts90ranger]

while you're here and on the subject of turbo rangers with 8.8's...

I have a sploder 8.8 in the garage to go in my '89 4x4 turbo ranger, the thing is I'm going to go with 33" to 35" tires, what gears do you suggest then? I've come to the conclusion that 4.10's and 31's leaves 5th useless at highway/freeway speeds, it takes no boost to hold 65 in 4th and 5psi to hold 65 in 5th. I'm fairly sure I'm going with 4.88's, but wanted to ask...

also, I've heard of a break in the axle flange size happening in '90 and anything older will need a conversion U joint or a new flange, am I going to have to play games with my '89 running gear?

 

[Shran]

while you're here and on the subject of turbo rangers with 8.8's...

I have a sploder 8.8 in the garage to go in my '89 4x4 turbo ranger, the thing is I'm going to go with 33" to 35" tires, what gears do you suggest then? I've come to the conclusion that 4.10's and 31's leaves 5th useless at highway/freeway speeds, it takes no boost to hold 65 in 4th and 5psi to hold 65 in 5th. I'm fairly sure I'm going with 4.88's, but wanted to ask...

also, I've heard of a break in the axle flange size happening in '90 and anything older will need a conversion U joint or a new flange, am I going to have to play games with my '89 running gear?

I had the flange issue with my swap and I just drilled new holes in the pinion yoke. It works good but is also temporary. I will be getting a driveline built as soon as my V8 swap is done, so that I can use the larger flange.

 

[4x4junkie]

while you're here and on the subject of turbo rangers with 8.8's...

I have a sploder 8.8 in the garage to go in my '89 4x4 turbo ranger, the thing is I'm going to go with 33" to 35" tires, what gears do you suggest then? I've come to the conclusion that 4.10's and 31's leaves 5th useless at highway/freeway speeds, it takes no boost to hold 65 in 4th and 5psi to hold 65 in 5th. I'm fairly sure I'm going with 4.88's, but wanted to ask...

also, I've heard of a break in the axle flange size happening in '90 and anything older will need a conversion U joint or a new flange, am I going to have to play games with my '89 running gear?

I would think 4.88 for 33s, 5.13 for 35s. A N/A 2.3L would need those for sure.