exciter ring

[Dav]

i am setting up mustang rear disc's on my spare axle. the idea is to have everything ready to swap out the stock springs and axle on my 88 ranger, 2.9 auto, with the rear disc set-up on the axle from my 89 parts truck
the 89 axle has the anti-lock brake exciter ring. can i just throw that away? if i do, will i need to change the bolts that mount the ring gear? (maybe different length)
the 88 does not have the anti-lock so it does not have the hole in the top of the pumpkin for the sensor. would the later diff slide into the 88 axle? both are tagged as 343 ratios

 

[Curious Hound]

You could leave the exciter ring installed. If I remember correctly, removing it would move the ring gear to one side and mess up your pinion engagement. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it for antilock brakes.

 

[4x4junkie]

The tone ring presses onto the edge of the carrier flange, it does not go between the ring gear and the carrier (at least not on the 8.8").

But yeah, you can just leave it there if you want. It's presence does not harm anything.