Differential Cover: Ford Ranger 2005

[Diabolus]

That’s why I would t worry about it. Run the locker you have with the axle you have.

Do you recommend any other upgrades for my truck?

Are sway bars worth getting?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do you recommend any other upgrades for my truck?

Are sway bars worth getting?

You should already have them in the front. Rear are optional and not really needed unless you do a lot of heavy towing.

Good tires and a locker should get you a long ways... depending on what you are doing something like a winch might not be a bad idea too.

 

[fastpakr]

I have mixed feelings on keeping the 7.5 vs swapping to the 8.8. My take is that you should be able to pick up a used 8.8 for a very reasonable price and do all the work to the stronger R&P of that axle instead. That makes it easier to find parts if you decide you really want them (diff cover, etc), plus you may get a 9 to 10 inch brake upgrade along the way.

What gear brand do you recommend for the 4.56? if I'm going to do this now, i want to buy the best performing stuff and not cheap out.

Somebody else with more experience with gear swaps can handle that. My gut instinct is that the brand of the gears doesn't matter that much and the more important component is finding the right person to do a careful install/setup.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have mixed feelings on keeping the 7.5 vs swapping to the 8.8. My take is that you should be able to pick up a used 8.8 for a very reasonable price and do all the work to the stronger R&P of that axle instead. That makes it easier to find parts if you decide you really want them (diff cover, etc), plus you may get a 9 to 10 inch brake upgrade along the way.

Yeah, but if he just bought a locker...

 

[fastpakr]

I'm a little unclear on the status of the locker - one post says 'getting', and another says 'got'.

 

[txgocartB3000#2]

I agree with 85ranger but on the winch make sure she doesn’t talk to much.

Ray

 

[Diabolus]

I have awful news. I was struck in the front of the bumper. Doesn't look bad from the outside, but the frame is tweaked and the hood is off center by a couple of inches. THe driver side door is now squeaking because it touches the fender.

I'm so upset, I think they are going to total out the truck. Does anyone know what it takes to fix this, I assume I need a new frame?

 

[pjtoledo]

if the frame is bent forward of the heavy cross member it can be straightened. if the fenders are off the supports coming forward from the cowl are bent.

when my parts '99 was rolled the radiator support separated at the bottom, that allowed the fenders to get tweaked side ways.
the front of these come apart real easy, then check it out.

if it is rust free try to keep it. (easy for me to say, I'm in the rust belt)