Help With a Narrow 9" Swap?

[Tokar347]

Hello, I recently bought a Ford narrow 9" rear end for my 1984 Ranger, Single cab, regular box, and I was wondering if I needed to do anything t the drive shaft or suspension in order to fit it. I will be using it for a drag racing/show truck application that I will drive on the street to shows and track days.

 

[bobbywalter]

yes.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

yes.

^^^LOL

Assuming you're using springs still;
Depending on soa or sua [soa= spring over axle and sua= spring under axle] You will need to weld on spring pads in the appropriate spots. It makes a big difference with the pinion centerline angle on vibration, noise.

Here is an attachment of Fords' recommendations for u-joints and driveshafts;

www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12939&d=1389987591

It also depends on which activity you care about most. If you want easy cruising then follow fords recs, if racing then you may need to allow for suspension movement at full throttle to come up with the correct angles.

 

[bobbywalter]

yes

 

[Tokar347]

^^^LOL

Assuming you're using springs still;
Depending on soa or sua [soa= spring over axle and sua= spring under axle] You will need to weld on spring pads in the appropriate spots. It makes a big difference with the pinion centerline angle on vibration, noise.

Here is an attachment of Fords' recommendations for u-joints and driveshafts;

www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12939&d=1389987591

It also depends on which activity you care about most. If you want easy cruising then follow fords recs, if racing then you may need to allow for suspension movement at full throttle to come up with the correct angles.

I currently have soa and would like to just focus on crusing for now, the speed is just an added bonus, but thanks for the link, it's much appreciated!

 

[insaneranger]

I'm a little late to this thread, but I put a narrow 9" under my '88 Ranger Super Cab. I ditched the leafs went with weld-on adjustable rear ladder bars, a diagonal bar, & air bags. Mine originally had a two piece drive shaft so I picked up a solid DS from a junk yard & had it cut down. I'm only pushing about 400 hp (so not a drag/strip truck), but the ladder bars help it launch hard & completely eliminate any wheel spin & it drives perfectly fine on the street.