Identify rear axle

[Rogers11Ranger]

Hi all, I just recently bought a 2011 Ranger XL 2WD. It has 2.3 L in it. Really happy with! I need to replace the rear differential cover. Everyone I’ve talked to says that the truck should have the 7.5 axle in it, but the axle code on the door tag is 97. And everything I found so far it says that should be an 8.8. I can’t tell the difference by looking at it. Could someone help? Thank you!

 

[Shran]

Looks like an 8.8 to me, 7.5 diff covers are more flat on the top & bottom... your door tag says that it should be an 8.8.

 

[Rogers11Ranger]

Looks like an 8.8 to me, 7.5 diff covers are more flat on the top & bottom... your door tag says that it should be an 8.8.

Thanks Shran, is that unusual to have the8.8 axle paired with the 2.3L? My local parts store didn’t even show a listing for the 8.8 for that truck, but that might not mean much I guess.

 

[Shran]

Guess I'm not sure about newer trucks like yours but that would have been a very unusual if not impossible combination on any 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen truck. 4th/5th gen, I don't know, I suppose it's possible that it was an option on late model 5th gens for some reason, or they were trying to use up parts in the last model year, or who knows. Generally only 4.0 powered trucks got 8.8 rear axles.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Seems i heard (on here probably) after 08ish everything got the 8.8

 

[2011Supercab]

Did Ford even make a 7.5 with disc brakes?
the 2010's and 11 had disc brkes on the rear

 

[pjtoledo]

it is an 8.8, has the big 1.6 Explorer outer bearings, has shorter 28 spline axle shafts with wheel speed sensors, and the 11.65 vented disk setup is unique to that axle.
the 2010/2011 have unique rear axles mostly to accommodate RSC, roll stability control. each wheel has it's own line back the ABS unit.
yes, even the 2.3s got that axle.
.

 

[Rogers11Ranger]

it is an 8.8, has the big 1.6 Explorer outer bearings, has shorter 28 spline axle shafts with wheel speed sensors, and the 11.65 vented disk setup is unique to that axle.
the 2010/2011 have unique rear axles mostly to accommodate RSC, roll stability control. each wheel has it's own line back the ABS unit.
yes, even the 2.3s got that axle.
.

Thank you all. It does have rear disc brakes with a drum in the center of the rotor for the e brake. There is also what looks like a rubber vent tube coming out of the middle of the axle tube on the driver’s side.

 

[pjtoledo]

all axles have that vent, or some kind of vent.
the tube-end flange the disk plate mounts to is unique to that axle.

 

[Rogers11Ranger]

Thank you PJ. Thank you for your service.

 

[19Walt93]

I bought a new Ranger XLT in 2011 near the end of production. It was a 4.0, 4x4 with an automatic and 3.73's- nobody's idea of a heavy duty off roader- and it came with Rancho shocks. I think they were using up whatever parts they had, that's probably how a 4 cylinder truck got an 8.8.

 

[Rogers11Ranger]

Thanks. This question will show my mechanical ignorance, but I wonder if having that heavier axle creates issues for the smaller engine/transmission? Premature wear? It’s an automatic, with 104,000 on it, and it seems to shift hard sometimes.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks. This question will show my mechanical ignorance, but I wonder if having that heavier axle creates issues for the smaller engine/transmission? Premature wear? It’s an automatic, with 104,000 on it, and it seems to shift hard sometimes.

The axle won't make a difference.

Whether the transmission fluid and filter have ever been changed could be an issue though.

 

[pjtoledo]

I bought a new Ranger XLT in 2011 near the end of production. It was a 4.0, 4x4 with an automatic and 3.73's- nobody's idea of a heavy duty off roader- and it came with Rancho shocks. I think they were using up whatever parts they had, that's probably how a 4 cylinder truck got an 8.8.

something interesting is the main casting/center section has the boss for the watts link pivot arm.
abs sensor no longer needed because of independent sensors on each wheel and that boss is not there.

 

[work2do]

Thought I would chime to say I agree with Walt on the end of production theory. I have a '10 with the 2.3/ auto. Production of 6/2010 with axle code '87'. It is a 7.5 , note that the vertical sides of the cover are completely curved. Currently up on jackstands so I will have rear brakes for the first time in 2025 ! Blew a line for Christmas and had to plug off due to bad timing and weather. Brake lines were much more fun on my older Rangers..