Axle swap

[Fast Fords]

what all am i looking at for an axle swap?
I have the stock 3.46 ratio axle in my 1995 2.3L ranger. Will i need the 7.5 or 8.8 rear end (ring gear)? and would it be easier to put in just the internals of the rear end or the whole axle?

I have the availability to get a 3.73 with limited slip but i need to kno what size ring gear I have.

thanks in advance

 

[FTSK95]

Long time reader, first time posting. I have the same truck, and did a similar swap. I purchased a 7.5" rearend with 3.73 gears and just swapped the whole thing in. Since you have the 4 cyl you have a 7.5 rearend. It took me a weekend to swap the whole thing in and was pretty easy.

 

[Destroyer000]

it would be easier to just swap in the entire axle.. if your going to purchase an axle why not get the 8.8? even tho you only have the 2.3 why not upgrade the axle a tad considering your purchasing one any ways.. i have swaped axles in about 2 hours.. torch u bolts, undo drive shaft bolts, drain gear fluid an change. it disconnect abs sensor wires an ebrake cables front the axle an thats about it. get yourself some new u bolts an bolt it up.

 

[Shran]

^^ what he said. Axle swaps are cake if you get the process down. Ratchet straps on both sides to hold the axle in place while you do the u-bolts is my trick.

 

[86ford]

dont get an exploder axle unless you are OK with welding on new shock mounts, perchs and setting the pinion angle. its as reasonably simple but some people are best off just doing what was stated above. flange mounted yoke mite need swapped depending on the axle you use too.

86

 

[Fast Fords]

sweet guys thanks i think i'll just swap in the 3.73 LS from another Ranger so I don't have to fiddle around with anything - should i get the speedo gear as well (i thought i read before that the speedometer will be out if i don't put in the new gear?? )??