bad axle, need advice

[tgray528]

My rear axle in my 2005 Ford Ranger FX4 4X4 4.0L crapped out today while my teen daughter was driving it. I have a 99 Ford Ranger Step Side that is 4.0L and a 4X4 too. My question is are these interchangable without any issues. Can I take it off the 99 and put it right in on the 2005? Please help because if I get a quick answer I will do it tomorrow. I know some are 28 spine and others are 31 spline. Will that matter?

 

[4x4junkie]

You would need to make sure they both have the same gear ratio... If they are the same ratio, and your FX4 is NOT a "Level II" model, then they should swap over fine.

If the FX4 IS a Level II, you would then need to swap the u-bolts & spring plates with it too (in which case the '99 axle would be a downgrade from your FX4 axle (28 spline < 31 spline). If this is the case, I'd suggest swap to a 31-spline Explorer rear axle instead, as the FX4-LII axles are difficult to find in wrecking yards. The Explorer axle would need some minor welding work to fit, but is mostly the same as the FX4-LII rear (and depending on what year you get, would offer the option of having rear disc brakes too).

 

[Curious Hound]

There should be a metal tag on each of your axles, usually attached by one of the cover screws on the differential. That tag, plus the axle code on the door sticker will tell you what axle model each one is and the gear ratio of the differential. There is a tech article on this site to help interpret these codes.

LINK TO AXLE CODE ARTICLE

 

[pjtoledo]

"crapped out" can have many causes, not all require replacing the entire axle assembly. can you describe the symptoms in detail?