83-92 Rear Axle Width

[tjm73]

I'm looking to see if anyone has actually measured the rear axle width of their '83-'92 2WD Ranger. I know that the 8.8 axle tech page says these are 56-1/2" but I want to confirm this measurement. I'd measure my '89, but it's buried in my barn currently and I can't get to it to measure right now. I'll be measuring it once the weather breaks and I can move a couple things out of the way. I'm trying to satisfy a curiosity.

I am planning my V8 swap and I have a set of Weld RT-S wheels on the truck right now (15x8.275" - 5-1/2" backspace & 255/60R15) but I need about 1/4" less axle width on each side. Maybe 1/2" for future plans. I've got a F150 9" that I am going to have narrowed. It is 63-3/8" flange to flange. With brakes it would be 68-3/8" wide WMS-to-WMS. Looks like I'm going to have to whack at least 12"-13" of total width from this thing.

 

[superj]

check the bolt pattern too. i think the f150 uses a different pattern

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would for sure measure yours before you have someone shorten something else. Someone might have swapped in a later axle or something that would screw up you calculations when used with dimensions from a different axle.

And yeah, your bolt pattern will be different.

I don't have anything loose to measure for you unfortunately though. Its single digits and I have a camper sitting on one and the other is outside in the snow.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I have a 7.5 under a parts truck that I may be rolling out of the shop to swap wheels on soon. I'll measure it if you don't have an answer by then.