Little frustrated, need some info (8.8)

[Captain Ledd]

So I picked up what appeared to be a 2003 FX4 Level II Ranger rear axle (even saw the truck it came out of, it was the correct package). For $200, everything on the surface checked out, so I figured he didn't quite know what he had so I picked it up.

Got it home, popped the cover and stared at an "S" spring. Dammit...

Not only that, the carrier is chewed up with Pinion teeth marks (even though the pinion looks ok). The ring gear also is a little on the chewed up side, though only on the outer edges.

But near as I can tell, it looks like the teeth marks on the carrier is previous damage.

This irritates me to no end. Now I don't even know if this is a regular Ranger 8.8 swapped in place.

QUESTIONS:

Did the Ranger 8.8" not have 3.25" tubes? it does have those.

OR,

Is there a way to find out if it's still a 31 spline axle without pulling the carrier/shafts?

I need to figure out if I should bother putting a bit of money into this thing or just build the Explorer 8.8"

Somewhat related, but not critical:

I have a composite 8.8" cover. Seeing as my 7.5" cover has rusted a hole in it, is there any disadvantages to the plastic cover? Does it leak? Strength is not a concern.

 

[86 slo-vo]

the s spring means it is a trac lok....as for checking for 31 spline you need to pop an axle out and count splines

 

[Captain Ledd]

I know the S-spring is a Trac-Lok, it was supposed to have a Torsen in it.

I didn't want to screw with pulling a shaft, but if there's no other way then I guess.

 

[camodown]

28 spline is 3"
31 spline is 3.25"

 

[Captain Ledd]

28 spline is 3"
31 spline is 3.25"

Excellent Camodown, TY. Exactly what I was trying to find.

 

[camodown]

no problem, sux about the damage but still a good find. People that know what they have usually try to get about 600 for them

 

[Hahnsb2]

Well, both have 3.25 tubes, the 28 spline just tapers down near the shock mounts, instead of staying 3.25 the whole length..

It could be possible that it was one of the recalled Torsens and I believe Ford just replaced them with T-Locs, or so I've heard..

 

[Captain Ledd]

Well it's an '03 truck. I guess it was fairly beat on.

The tubes go all the way until the very end where they taper.

I called the guy earlier today and he's actually willing to take it back! Both me and him had the understanding that the truck drove fine until the engine failure. I guess it was a trade he did with the previous owner.

I took the brakes apart, there's parts all over the place, lying loose in the bottom of the drum, bent, and look like they've been that way for a long while now. The wheel cylinder on the driverside is literally blown out. There's also chunks of metal lining the pinion bearing drain tube... this thing has been thrashed to within an inch of it's life... There's a good chance even the housing is severely bent. Turning the pinion is kinda on the "jerky" side as well

I do think it would be fine for a wheeler, seeing at most a few thousand miles a year. But I intended to pound out some highway miles on it, and I really can't mess with a ring and pinion at the moment. I just have a fear that there is going to be all sorts of little annoying problems with this axle for the rest of it's days if I end up running it. I also have a perfectly good, low mileage Explorer 8.8 (no gears or carrier) sitting in the barn. It's a 92 axle and there's barely any rust on it (which is impressive for Michigan).

I have got to do something though... Getting stuck in wet grass, driveways, and the especially embarrassing stop light doesn't need to happen. I actually had issues getting out of a parking lot today (yes, it was over 60°F here, but it was wet). Had to stop at the top of a hill, it actually took several tries to get the thing moving. My dad also got me new tires, that were alot larger than what was on there. While I'm very thankful, it has made the 2.3L even more pathetic..

I noticed they made a Tru-Trac for the 7.5", and while the cost is roughly the same for new parts, I might just build the 7.5" up... Honestly, the 7.5" has never given me a hint of trouble aside from the cover rusting through. I got it with 160,000 on it, the fluid was never changed. It now has 200,000 on it, still hasn't been changed (I figured why bother at this point). Since it's looking like I'm going to have to redo an entire axle anyways, and I don't plan on going bigger than a skinny 31" and 4 cylinder power.

But then I've got to screw with gears and everything else.

And then of course as soon aas I mod one thing it's another...

Thanks for your help guys, I'll figure something out.