Need INFO On REAR END

[Ranger D]

Hi , looking for info on replacing my rear end in my 97 ranger 4x4 4.0l 5 spd.
My rear end is worn out...it's a truck i bought awhile back and i had allot of whine in the rear end as well as pinion noise . when a friend was taking it apart to replace the pinion bearings he noticed that there was allot of gap "spacing" between the gears etc as well as allot of blueing on all the parts....he thought that someone probably had run it with little or no fluid in it at sometime . So i want to get a complete rear end ...what years will fit newer preferably & is there anything in particular i should look for . My gears are 373 's i believe , the number on my pinion is #F678A373MTBL .
Appreciate any info you can give me .
Tks D.

 

[Mac]

The very easiest and cheapest is to go to www.part-com and find one in your area with low miles, 10" brakes with the 3.73 gears. Try to do at least a look-over to see if they just torched in out or carefully removed it, as in brake cables. Good place to find a lot of the parts you need!
Dave

 

[Ranger D]

Hi Mac & TKS for the reply. I have found a complete rear end out of a 2002 with 373 & 10 " brakes . The guy ask me if mine was a 7.5 or an 8.8 ring gear
this one is a 7.5 ?? would this make a difference ? and is there an easy way to tell what mine is .
Tks D.

 

[Mac]

All 4.0L came with the 8.8 as the only gear offered, I'd keep looking for an 8.8, especially with the 4x4 and manual. Good luck, they're out there.
Dave

 

[Ranger D]

Hi & tks again for the info....i'll do some more searching .
Tks D.