How to identify what is in a junk yard 8.8?

[LonesomeSTX]

I want to find 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer that came stock with 3:73 gears and a traction aid. I got real lucky back home when I did this same mod because the yard I dealt with knew which vehicle had that exact rear end. Up here, not so much. Every yard I have gone to has told me they have no idea what the rear ends have in them and I would just have to crawl under them. Even though I have seen what seems like an endless supply of Mountaineers and explores, I have not been able to find the gears and traction aid I want. They are either on the ground with no rims, or the date plates have been removed or are not legible at all. Is there another way to find what I am looking for? Is there a VIN code or something else that would help?

 

[Surrey]

You can also try checking door codes on the explorers. Check the tech library, it has all the info you need on IDing axles.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Thanks, I will look for the article.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Damn, I just learned some stuff. Very very helpful, thanks.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

It turns out I already have 3:73 gears in my Ranger. I guess I need to find a rear end with 4:11s then. All this time I thought that truck had 3:55s. I read some where that 3:73 in this year Ranger is rare. Is that true?

 

[adsm08]

3.45 was more common that year, but 3.73 wasn't rare.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I did not think so. I cannot find that article now, I would like to know what they meant.

 

[shane96ranger]

Mark the wheel hub and mark the carrier flange. Spin the wheel hub one complete rotation and count how many times the flange goes around. Easiest way to tell the ratio. If the other wheel hub spins the same direction, it has limited slip. If it spins the opposite direction, it is an open diff.

I would do this no matter what any name plate says, or door tag says. When I had the 3.55's put in my Mustang, they slapped the 2.73 tag back on it.

Sent from the can

 

[LonesomeSTX]

That is one of the problems I have as well. You never know what it actually in there until you pull the diff cover. Some of this things are on the gorund though. But, I see no other way to make sure I get what I need.

 

[shane96ranger]

You could always pop the cover off.

Sent from the can

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Yeah, salvage yards love that.

 

[shane96ranger]

That's fine with me. They can be upset. I would rather do that than find out it was the wrong ratio. I have had it happen to me before on a front diff for my Brother's 01 Explorer... and it won't happen to me again.

Sent from the can

 

[Surrey]

My salvage yard doesn't give two shits what you do... people just cut shit and smash shit to get what they want. Kinda sucks because it can be hard to find what you are after - one time I checked like 12 vw for an alternator. Finally found one sitting in the back seat of one lol

Besides if taking off a few covers is the only way you arw going to buy anything I'm sure they would take a mess over no sale

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I have people who tear stuff up to get what they want. That screws the rest of us and makes the parts we buy more costly. The salvage yards have to make money to stay open. When ass holes just smash a $20 part to get a $5 part, the yard has to make it up some where.

But as far as making a mess, I guess they would rather not deal with me trying to return it.