99 Aluminum DS swap to 87.

[dirtystanchez]

I'm looking at an aluminum DS from a 99 Ranger super cab to swap into my 87 super cab.

From what I've read on here in the tech articles and search button I wanted to clarify on what else you feel I need to grab to make this swap less of a headache.

My ranger = 7.5" rear w/ 2 pc DS.

Obviously the flanges won't match up but do I really want to mess with swapping the flange on the rear end and possibly messing up the preload?

What about the tcase flange?

Any opinions would be appreciated!

BTW: Seller of the DS says it's ~62 inches long. Tech write up says 47 inches weld to weld.

 

[ozziemo27]

99 ext cabs have aluminum driveshafts? Are you sure? I got a std cab and its steel...i thought that was a later thing.

 

[railman]

when i did this for RangerSVT for his truck, i kept the factory flanges on the dif and transfer case and used the flanges off the old 2pc shaft with new "adapter" u-joints ( IIRC 1310x1330 )...

also you want to at least get rid of the old carrier bearing mount on its crossmember for clearance ( we just cut his out completely due to the amount of lift )

l8r, John

 

[railman]

99 ext cabs have aluminum driveshafts? Are you sure? I got a std cab and its steel...i thought that was a later thing.

i think that is the crossover year....and i think reg. cabs kept the steel one even longer...but, i could be wrong...

l8r, John

 

[dirtystanchez]

when i did this for RangerSVT for his truck, i kept the factory flanges on the dif and transfer case and used the flanges off the old 2pc shaft with new "adapter" u-joints ( IIRC 1310x1330 )...

also you want to at least get rid of the old carrier bearing mount on its crossmember for clearance ( we just cut his out completely due to the amount of lift )

l8r, John

Oh yes, the carrier and x-member is definitely going! I like the simplicity of "adapter" u-joints and relatively cheap to do as well.

 

[dirtystanchez]

99 ext cabs have aluminum driveshafts? Are you sure? I got a std cab and its steel...i thought that was a later thing.

This is what he said. Currently parting it out........

I'm going to measure the distance now and hopefully it'll work.

 

[Mac]

My '98' ext cab is alum. Just remember something else from a couple of months ago - some ext cabs used the smaller 1210 u-joint but Denny's Drive shaft has both the yokes and u-joints, depending on what you deside on changing. Most auto stores carry the adapter joints.
Dave

 

[Yellowsplash]

My 98-or-99 Ext Cab driveshaft is steel. Less chance to rub the gas tank skidplate.

 

[dirtystanchez]

My 2 pc DS measures approximately 65 inches from tcase to rear end flange. The guy tells me his measures 62 inches from flange to flange (mounting face). His DS has a slip joint and he can extend the shaft about 1.5 inches more.

Does this seem correct? I have a 4 to 4.5 inch lift. I'm wondering if this swap will work?

 

[dirtystanchez]

Anyone? I've read that most guys make this swap even with a lift up to 5 inches. Maybe the guy is measuring wrong...........

 

[ozziemo27]

i think that is the crossover year....and i think reg. cabs kept the steel one even longer...but, i could be wrong...

l8r, John

Could be..

My '98' ext cab is alum.

hmm...

My 98-or-99 Ext Cab driveshaft is steel. Less chance to rub the gas tank skidplate.

98 or 99?

This is pretty perplexing to me!

Might need AllanD to chime in!

 

[JohnnyO]

98 or 99?

This is pretty perplexing to me!

Might need AllanD to chime in!

I have had 1999 and 2002 Rangers that I got brand new. Both Supercab 4x4's, both came with steel driveshafts, both had bad driveline clunk, both had the driveshafts replaced on warranty with an aluminum unit from Ford as per a Ford TSB.

 

[ozziemo27]

I have had 1999 and 2002 Rangers that I got brand new. Both Supercab 4x4's, both came with steel driveshafts, both had bad driveline clunk, both had the driveshafts replaced on warranty with an aluminum unit from Ford as per a Ford TSB.

Ahh, that could explain something!

 

[4x4junkie]

My 2 pc DS measures approximately 65 inches from tcase to rear end flange. The guy tells me his measures 62 inches from flange to flange (mounting face). His DS has a slip joint and he can extend the shaft about 1.5 inches more.

Does this seem correct? I have a 4 to 4.5 inch lift. I'm wondering if this swap will work?

If you have the A4LD automatic in your '87, yes it will work.

By those measurements it sounds like you may have the FM145 stickshift. No go there.

 

[Yellowsplash]

98 or 99?

This is pretty perplexing to me!

Might need AllanD to chime in!

I have had 1999 and 2002 Rangers that I got brand new. Both Supercab 4x4's, both came with steel driveshafts, both had bad driveline clunk, both had the driveshafts replaced on warranty with an aluminum unit from Ford as per a Ford TSB.

Exactly....Later Mid year 2000 and 01+ models came with the larger 3" bolt distance flange at the transfer case. I do not know if all aluminum driveshafts came with the 3" bolt pattern or not.

My steel driveshaft had the 2.5" bolt pattern and bolted directly up to my '95. Again, it was from a 98-99 truck.