Blown Rear-diff :'(

[dan24]

So I blew out my rear diff doing snow doughnuts in a parking lot up a local mountain a while ago.. Had some issues with my rear-end (no homo) ever since i've had the truck so i'm just gonna replace the whole rear end. I believe its an 8.8 26-spline w/ 3.73 gears correct?? Found one for $250 bucks all ready to go 80,000k on it. Just have to swap the drums from my truck.

 

[rjppunk]

brutal, I've been considering an exploder axel for mine and getting that sweet looking ox manual locking dif.

 

[shane96ranger]

So I blew out my rear diff doing snow doughnuts in a parking lot up a local mountain a while ago.. Had some issues with my rear-end (no homo) ever since i've had the truck so i'm just gonna replace the whole rear end. I believe its an 8.8 26-spline w/ 3.73 gears correct?? Found one for $250 bucks all ready to go 80,000k on it. Just have to swap the drums from my truck.

Being a 4.0, yes it is an 8.8 rear. It will be a 28 spline axle though, not 26. Also, you need to look at the axle code on the sticker located on the drivers door. This will tell you what the ratio is by searching the code in the link below. If you get the wrong ratio, you'll have a hell of a time in 4 wheel drive.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

[flamingx]

Also, you need to look at the axle code on the sticker located on the drivers door. This will tell you what the ratio is by searching the code in the link below

An easier way to tell the ratio is to look at the diff tag bolted to your rear diff cover

See the bottom line where it says "3 27 88 4A03"? this means that it is 3.27:1 ratio with a 8.8" ring gear. The 4A03 is just a date code.

 

[shane96ranger]

An easier way to tell the ratio is to look at the diff tag bolted to your rear diff cover

See the bottom line where it says "3 27 88 4A03"? this means that it is 3.27:1 ratio with a 8.8" ring gear. The 4A03 is just a date code.

I was trying to save dude from getting dirty under the truck, LOL.

 

[mhughes165]

ya, thats the harder way to see ur axle code lol

 

[flamingx]

ya, thats the harder way to see ur axle code lol

But it is easier to tell if your getting the right one from the wrecker's where they have 100 axles sitting on a shelf and you cant check the VIN sticker.

Not to mention I've seen VIN stickers with the wrong code on them.

 

[feellnfroggy]

If hes swapping his axle, hel get dirty anyways.

 

[mhughes165]

But it is easier to tell if your getting the right one from the wrecker's where they have 100 axles sitting on a shelf and you cant check the VIN sticker.

Not to mention I've seen VIN stickers with the wrong code on them.

most yards ive ever been do dont have axles sittin on shelves, they have them under the vehicles, if they dont sell they get crushed and scrapped anyways, if i could go somehwere and actually get a axle on a shelf id be happier then a pig in shit, but when ur working in a junkyard its alot easier to look at the door jamb then crawl underneath every single ranger/b2 explorer u come across for the gear ratio

 

[dan24]

thanks flamingx, yeah its nice to actually see it stamped on the truck tho

 

[shane96ranger]

most yards ive ever been do dont have axles sittin on shelves, they have them under the vehicles, if they dont sell they get crushed and scrapped anyways, if i could go somehwere and actually get a axle on a shelf id be happier then a pig in shit, but when ur working in a junkyard its alot easier to look at the door jamb then crawl underneath every single ranger/b2 explorer u come across for the gear ratio

We have one of the yards with stuff on the shelf here. This guy is pretty proud of his stuff, he wants 10 times what the Pull n' Save next door wants. My buddy knows him and he's dirty and says stuff has less miles than it does. I would rather look at the condition of the vehicle and look at the miles myself. But that's just me. LOL

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

most yards ive ever been do dont have axles sittin on shelves, they have them under the vehicles, if they dont sell they get crushed and scrapped anyways, if i could go somehwere and actually get a axle on a shelf id be happier then a pig in shit, but when ur working in a junkyard its alot easier to look at the door jamb then crawl underneath every single ranger/b2 explorer u come across for the gear ratio

If a PO swapped axles between vehicles though you are up a crick. If they were kind enough to leave the tag on you would know exactly what you have.

Checking vin labels is good to get you close, but I would still check the tag before I drug anything home.

 

[CHKNFKR]

I wouldnt trust the vin or the tag on the axle, if its even there. What if the po swapped gears and didnt put a new tag back on, or worse yet put the old tag back on? Now the vin is wrong and so is the tag. The best way (without getting dirty) is to turn the pinion shaft and observe the hub or vice versa. Ideally you would pop the cover off and make a quick assesment of the gears and bearings. Maybe if you're lucky you might even find its a limited slip or a locker!

 

[feellnfroggy]

you can always check the tag on the front axle. If someone swapped the rear I doubt he swapped the front. If its two wheel drive then it dont matter what gear size you have in the rear. jsut get the set that fits you. If you find one with 4.10's more power to ya.

 

[adsm08]

I wouldnt trust the vin or the tag on the axle, if its even there. What if the po swapped gears and didnt put a new tag back on, or worse yet put the old tag back on? Now the vin is wrong and so is the tag. The best way (without getting dirty) is to turn the pinion shaft and observe the hub or vice versa. Ideally you would pop the cover off and make a quick assesment of the gears and bearings. Maybe if you're lucky you might even find its a limited slip or a locker!

While checking the ratio is always a good idea, I would like to point out that most vehicles with swapped gears are unlikely to end up in the yard.

I know darn few people who will go to the trouble and expense of swapping rear end gears and then allow the truck to end up in the JY. Most of those guys are us.