New Ranger guy - need Diff help - choices?

[timapexcomputer]

Hey all! Great community! I have been lurking for a while and reading all that I can.

I bought a boat recently. Nothing too fancy, just a 17' fiberglass I/O on a single axle. Never owned a truck in my life but now had the need.

A friends dad had a 94 Ranger 4.0 supercab 2WD for sale. $700. After safety and emmisions, plates and stickers, I was on the road for $806!!! The truck has been great with towing the boat, which only weights about 2500 all in.

Problem: I started using a new ramp to launch the boat and it is VERY steep and typically wet. Generally 2WD unfriendly. I can avoid this ramp normally and yes that is a solution, but I have a better one in mind.

My Ranger was not blessed with an LSD (code 97). A JY here has six or eight 93-97 Rangers. If one was blessed with an LSD, should I:
A: Take the whole rear end, brakes and all and do a swap, or
B: Just pull the guts out of the LSD diff and swap them in to mine?

I do NOT want an explorer disc upgrade. Just be happy with an 8.8 28 spline that spins both tires on the ramp.

I have never cracked open a diff before but done engine swaps and turbo builds so I can find my way around. Thanks so much for any advice or opinions! Love this place!!!

 

[1994_4x4]

Hey all! Great community! I have been lurking for a while and reading all that I can.

I bought a boat recently. Nothing too fancy, just a 17' fiberglass I/O on a single axle. Never owned a truck in my life but now had the need.

A friends dad had a 94 Ranger 4.0 supercab 2WD for sale. $700. After safety and emmisions, plates and stickers, I was on the road for $806!!! The truck has been great with towing the boat, which only weights about 2500 all in.

Problem: I started using a new ramp to launch the boat and it is VERY steep and typically wet. Generally 2WD unfriendly. I can avoid this ramp normally and yes that is a solution, but I have a better one in mind.

My Ranger was not blessed with an LSD (code 97). A JY here has six or eight 93-97 Rangers. If one was blessed with an LSD, should I:
A: Take the whole rear end, brakes and all and do a swap, or
B: Just pull the guts out of the LSD diff and swap them in to mine?

I do NOT want an explorer disc upgrade. Just be happy with an 8.8 28 spline that spins both tires on the ramp.

I have never cracked open a diff before but done engine swaps and turbo builds so I can find my way around. Thanks so much for any advice or opinions! Love this place!!!

Swap could be cheapest option. Explorer difs go for scrap metal price around here. I noticed some wear and tear last time I did fluid change on my 7.5 dif. I'm still debating weather to swap in a 7.5 or 8.8 if it goes...

 

[adsm08]

An axle swap would by far be the easiest. Gear setup is a pain in the butt.

I would however spring the $200 ish to throw some new clutches and axle seals in it. I just put LS in my truck, was told the clutches were ok when the rear was pulled (I'll admit they did sit dry for a while) but now they chatter just a hair.

 

[RangerSVT]

It's likely you had 327 gear ratio. Check your current gear ratio and go one or two lower. 373 should be a great choice for you, and a bunch of junkyard axles have the 373 ls option. I'd swap the entire axle with a freshen up like adsm suggested...

SVT

 

[timapexcomputer]

Thanks guys!!! Great help. Going for the full swap.

 

[Earl43P]

In the meantime, simply press the parking brake a few clicks while trying to pull the boat up the ramp. That will apply enough friction to slow the spinning wheel and let the other grab some traction. (assuming your rear shoes are properly adjusted)

 

[Andy D]

An axle swap would by far be the easiest. Gear setup is a pain in the butt.

I would however spring the $200 ish to throw some new clutches and axle seals in it. I just put LS in my truck, was told the clutches were ok when the rear was pulled (I'll admit they did sit dry for a while) but now they chatter just a hair.

The clutches chattered whilst cornering in my old BMW. I was advised to try replacing the lube with Mobil 1 75 w 90. Worked like a champeen.