99 Ford Ranger rear axle/differential troubles

[mrsparrow]

To preface, I know nothing about cars. I can change fluids and tires, but other than that, nothing.

My truck is broke. It's a 4x4 99 Ford Ranger and a I'm having rear axle troubles. I'm told it's specifically a broken differential.

Back in October, my Ranger began making loud thumping noises and the truck would jerk with each thump whenever I took a turn. I took it to a Belle Tire, they told me the differential was ruined and that I'd need to replace the whole rear assembly, and that I'd probably want to get towed home. I took it around to a couple places and I was told the same thing. The cheapest quote for the repairs has been about 1500 dollars.

I'm nearly broke, but I need a car and I've been without for about 5 months.

I have one friend who's willing to replace the axle for $100, but I need to supply the axle/assembly. I've checked a few junkyards, but all I've seen are older Rangers and most of those only had 2 wheel drive. From what I've seen, I can really only use axles from other 4x4 Rangers around the same year, though apparently Explorers axles are compatible, but some sort of modification needs to be made related to the shocks, and I'm not sure this applies to the whole rear differential/axle assembly.

I'm having a hard time finding information on the whole rear assembly and whether or not other model vehicles have the same one, and I just don't know where to look.

I have another friend who came up with the idea of just welding the differential, but we don't know if that's feasible until I can get a look at the differential and see what kind of condition it's in. This seems like the cheapest route, and potentially a good temporary fix, from what I can see.

I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible, because I just don't have money right now and I need to start paying back student loans soon.

Any ideas are appreciated. Please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere or point me in the right directions. I'm mainly looking for what type of rear assembly I need to get and I'd like to know as much as I can about what's going on before I start throwing money at it.

 

[BlackBII]

It's not so much a question of 4x4 or 4x2, but what axle is in it already. 7.5 or 8.8.
The tech library can help you find out:http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

Did you even take the cover off to see what is wrong?

Do you have basic tools? Wrenches, Sockets etc? Cause it aint that tuff to swap out an axle, paying a friend 100$ to do it sounds like a good deal.....for him.

Once you find out if it has a 7.5 or 8.8, finding either one at a junkyard should be really easy, they are a dime a dozen. Just make sure you get the same Gear ratio.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Look on your door jam at the "axle code" and write it down. Get back on here and click the link that Black posted for you. Match the codes up, that'll tell you what rear end you have and what gears.

 

[Earl43P]

You should definately take advantage of your buddy's help REPLACING the axle.
1st, figure out which axle and ratio you already have. You must match ratios.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axleguide.html has some more info.

Armed with which axle (7.5" or 8.8") and which ratio you need (3.73, 4L10, etc), start hitting up the junkyards for an axle from a Ranger. You should also hit up the For Sale sections of the various Ranger enthusiast sites for any listed for sale near you. You should also stay with the same size drum brakes.

Get one and have your buddy replace it while you help and learn.

Explorer axles are also available as an upgrade, but require welding and other (brake) modifications to fit your truck. Likely more than you can afford right now.

 

[4x4junkie]

Any '93 to present model year Ranger axle will bolt into your '99 (2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter).
Like others said, just make sure the axle you get matches the gear ratio you have now.

Upgrading from a 7.5" to the bigger 8.8" isn't a bad idea either, although don't go the other way (8.8 to 7.5).

 

[Mac]

You usually can pick up a low mileage 8.8 in great shape for under $400 in the gear ratio you need. I's sure take your buddy up on the offer to help, sure makes it a lot easier to move things around with two people doing it. $1500 is way out of line.
Dave

 

[mrsparrow]

Thanks! This helps a lot. When I get the chance in the next few days I'll take the cover off to have a look at the differential with a friend who knows what they're doing, and find out the axle code and ratios.

 

[pdmustgt]

I have 99 4x4 rear axle out of mine it's 4.10 trac-lok

 

[mrsparrow]

It took a little while to get a chance to look at my truck, but I found on the tag that it has a 7.5" axle with a 4L10 ratio. I'll be looking for axles after this weekend, but I was wondering if there was anything I needed to know about the brake size? I noticed Earl43p said I should stay with the same size drum brakes, how do I find out what size I have?

Also, what difference does the L in the 4L10 make? From what I understand, the L is for Traction Lock, but do I need to get another traction lock assembly or can I just look for anything 4.10?

 

[Sunk]

You're right, the L means limited slip, called a Trak-Lok. You don't need to get another L/S, but they can be nice.

4.10 rear ends can be somewhat harder to find than others though.

 

[mrsparrow]

Okay, I've found an axle through a friend at super cheap. It looks to be in good shape and everything seems to be in working order, it's a 4.10 open differential, but the only problem is that it's a 92 rear end instead of a 93. Is it at all possible to make this work, either by switching out the axles or just replacing the gears, or do I need to find a rear end from after 93?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It will work just fine and will bolt right in. It will be a tad narrower than the 93 axle tho.