help, 8.8 swop question?

[mkpecor]

im doin a 8.8 swop in to my 88 ranger and want to know if the spring pearches on 8.8 are in the same location as the 7.5? i want to make sure when i do the axle over every thing will be were it should be. thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if its a ranger 8.8 they should be in the same spot (or close enough to work).

obviously an explorer 8.8 has the perches on the wrong side of the tube...

 

[mkpecor]

its a 92 explorer 8.8, i know i have to do a spring over obviously, just want to know i can just cut the welds and weld them to the top or do i have to go in with them or out with them

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i believe the exploder spring perches are closer together than the rangers.

your best bet is to just measure centering pin to centering pin on your truck and go from there.

 

[mkpecor]

how do you find the center of the pumkin?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

huh...thats a good question...

i admit i dont know how guys usually come up with a centerline...measure from the pinion flange perhaps? or measure the length of the axle (to the backing plate) and divide that in half?

 

[Totalled]

You don't center the pumpkin.. it's offset to one side. Put the axle under the truck with the perches unwelded. Move it side to side under the springs until the distance between the main leaf and the backing plate for the brakes is equal. Then set the pinion angle. Tack the perches on. Remove the axle and fully weld the perches.

 

[mkpecor]

ya i was lookin at the pumpkin and thinkin this is off center, thats what i was thinkin of doin, glad to know im thinkin in the same dierection, thanks totalled. and sludge

 

[Sunk]

I just went and measured my '01 Ranger 8.8, and with the tape against the ridge along the outside of where the axle tube goes in, it is 9 3/4" to the center of the perch on the passenger's side, and 12 3/4" on the driver's side.

 

[mkpecor]

thanks sunk, how is your lil project goin?

 

[Sunk]

Meh... its not really. I have most stuff, i just the springs and better drop brackets. Im still waiting to get my axles set up, but since Im getting them done for almost free, they're not at the top of the list... But I just sold my Torino today so I'm stoked to see what I can find at the swap-meet!

 

[mkpecor]

you driven your ranger? if so id like to see your rear shackles

 

[Sunk]

no probably not... I'll be with some friends and they don't like cramming in there, especially with my sub where it is for now... The shackles aren't anything special, just belltechs.

 

[Blackdog]

im doin a 8.8 swop in to my 88 ranger and want to know if the spring pearches on 8.8 are in the same location as the 7.5? i want to make sure when i do the axle over every thing will be were it should be. thanks

The distance is close but not close enough if your anal like me. I measured the distance on the original 7.5 axle and used that. To center the perches I measured from the end of each axle end (it was something like 6" from each end).