Axle widths?

[Surrey]

I had a few questions about rear axle widths.
My question is about Explorer and b2 axles, and how wide they are.
From what I can find on the tech page, it goes something like this...

83-92 Ranger. 51" wide.(I think?)
93+ Ranger - 2 inches wider (1" per side) than earlier Rangers.
Bronco II - 1 5/8" wider, all on the drivers side.

First, Where do Explorer axles fit into all this? How wide are they?
Second, why does my B2 have a longer shaft on only one side? This seems very odd to me?

Thanks. Matt

 

[superds]

I'm not sure on the width of the 83-92 Ranger axle off hand, but the Explorer (91-01) is about 3" wider.

 

[Surrey]

Upon more searching on the tech library, I have found the Explorer is 1" wider than the later-model rangers...

I am still left wondering whats up with the different sized axle shaft on one side for my b2? I guess that means my pinion is offset that much more? Does this make any difference?

Thanks.

 

[superds]

I thought I read somewhere the explanation to the offset, maybe it was to clear some of the other undercarriage components.

 

[organic]

I believe the pre 92 Ranger axles are closer to 58" wms.

 

[CountryBoy704]

there is an offset and it is in all ranger/bII's and explorers I believe, the passenger side is longer

 

[Surrey]

there is an offset and it is in all ranger/bII's and explorers I believe, the passenger side is longer

According to the tech page, here...
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

The Bronco 2 has 1 5/8" longer on the passenger side beam.

Also, the diagram on the bottom says 51" wide, thats where I got that number from... But this other page lists widths.
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

56.5", 58.5" (old/new ranger) and 59.5" for Exploder.
It also says the explorer and Ranger pinions are offset 2"(although this is for the 8.8 axle, not the 7.5 I run now...)
Would my b2 be offset less, or more?
(first link page says Drivers side is always longer than the passenger side, and all the extra length on the b2 is on the passenger side, so I would think this means the offset is only 3/8in on a b2?)

Thanks. Matt