Help with a Rear Drive Shaft Carrier Bearing

[Twinkss]

I would like to cancel the rear carrier bearing on my 96 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6. people in town have been saying to take a rear drive shaft from a 98-00 and un-bolt it my drive shaft and bolt on the 98-00 rear drive shaft and its that simple. is it true? if not what do i need to do? do i need to remove the cross member the carrier bearing is sitting on? then bolt on the new drive shaft?

any info will help.

thanks

Nieko

 

[t120r]

With my truck, '90 4wd Supercab, there was no way to fit the one piece shaft without removing that crossmember that holds the carrier bearing. Don't worry about it too much as I read a post by a Ford engineer that stated it is not a structural component. It's purpose is just to hold that bearing. Unfortunately I can't find anyone with a spare '98+ driveshaft so I can check slip yoke travel, so I can't comment on the functionality. Guys on here seem to like it though.

 

[maroon ranger]

Yeah it just bolts right in. You have to get rrid of everything related to the carrier bearing assembly but you can keep the crossmember in there. That's what I did and have no problems. If your truck is extended cab make sure to get a shaft out of a 98+ extnded cab. Same as if your truck is single cab short box get a 98 and newer single short box...and same concept with the long bed. Pretty dang simple as for swap wise.