How much am I going to spend to rebuild this rear end?

[OilPatch197]

I got a '84 Ranger with a 7.5, what happened was I must have driven thru some flood waters(our road floods about twice a year) and got some water in it.

I did not check it, and somehow the pinion loosened up and started making like "knives sliding on knives" sound at low speeds. Opened it up gooey oily water mix, had a few chunks out of my Ring, and the pinion was loose.

At that time I replaced the pinion bushing, all the bearings and checked the pattern. I noticed it did have some warpage in the ring(got hot?).

So I just chucked it back together and drove it for a while, a few months later, it was getting some "thump" into it when you let off the gas. Like a loose U-Joint, but it was not, probably backlash?

So I had a spare 7.5" laying around so I just swaped the entire assembly in.

However the gearing is different, the swaped one, I have to drive 59mph to equal 55mph.

Now that gas prices have gone up, I need to put the 8.8 back in.

So here are my questions:

How much am I looking at spending for a new stock Ring and Pinion, and where is the best place to get it.

What kind of threadlocker is used on the ring bolts?

What should I use as marking compound to check my pattern?

 

[Explorin94]

So here are my questions:

How much am I looking at spending for a new stock Ring and Pinion, and where is the best place to get it.

What kind of threadlocker is used on the ring bolts?

What should I use as marking compound to check my pattern?

Buy a Yukon Gear set. Everything you need will be with that kit. There is even a book that comes with it to show you what pattern you need for the gears. The threadlocker will come with it too. As will the marking compound. I usually go through Randy Ring and Pinion, they are good to deal with and have everything in stock.

 

[Danger06Ranger]

What ratio did you take out??

 

[Ranger44]

I agree Yukon is the better brand, and from what 4x4Junkie has said, they are reboxed brands such as precision, etc, etc.

Stay away from Genuine Gear.

I also wonder, what gearing is in there now?

 

[OilPatch197]

I don't know, the '84 is a 2.8 V-6 C-3 automatic, and that rear end is going to get rebuilt.

The spare I had on hand came out of a four cylinder truck with a four speed.

 

[metalmacguyver]

It may be cheaper to get an axle in decent condition, put seals and other parts in it, not gears as those are very expensive, and adjust your tire size so that your speedometer is accurate again.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Around here the junkyards will just about give you a 7.5" for scrap value and an 8.8 for not much more. Last weekend by buddy picked up a an 8.8 out of a 98 explorer. It had the 31 spline shafts, a nice tight L/S, 4.10 gears, and disc brakes. It came with 2 nice Michelins on chrome rims. They charged him $75 for it!

You should be able to find any ratio 7.5" you want in the junkyard for cheap.

 

[kunar]

yeah, you can get any ranger axle for about $100 around here. buying an axle that is what you want is a much better decision than trying to rebuild one to be what you want

 

[OilPatch197]

Okay guys going to hit the junk yards!!!

 

[snake]

Try car-part.com. Lots of stuff there, and I have never been boned from any yard I have used on the site.

 

[OilPatch197]

since I forgot my axle tag(didn't know the gear ratio) the 'yard is going to charge somwhere around $175, because they would have to remove it from a vehicle.

So I'll give them a call and see what they can do. I cannot believe I was to about to rebuild that SOB, much easier if I can get one from a salvage yard.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you have time you could hit the classifieds, I snagged a L/S 3.73 Explorer 8.8 with disk brakes complete with springs for $100. I pulled it out in the guys garage.