Off center

[rcone65]

So I just noticed 96 ranger differential is off center using a 98 5.0 what is everyone doing about this alignment issue

 

[Curious Hound]

That's how they're designed. It'll be ok.

 

[rcone65]

So the 5.0 trans and motor will be center and rear diff will stay off center

 

[Curious Hound]

Depends in where you put it. But, probably, yeah. Here's a question for you. Was your original motor and transmission centered? Did you measure anything so you would know what you started with and have notes for comparison? If you had, this conversation wouldn't exist.

 

[rcone65]

No I assume it was because everything I had big motors etc in past was center , so probably the 2.3 wasn't center cause original trans cross member is offset I just realized that also

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

Depends in where you put it. But, probably, yeah. Here's a question for you. Was your original motor and transmission centered? Did you measure anything so you would know what you started with and have notes for comparison? If you had, this conversation wouldn't exist.

@Curious Hound be like

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

@Curious Hound be like
View attachment 144330

@RonD would have the off center measurements off the top of his head for every year and engine combo, and in standard, metric, and cuneiform.

 

[Curious Hound]

@Curious Hound be like
View attachment 144330

Not trying to bust your balls. This is how we learn. Your 2.3 might have been centered. Give me a minute. I'll go see if my 3.0 is centered.

The trick that you're learning is to check and measure things to get a baseline before you tear stuff apart. Then You're not second guessing yourself when putting the new stuff back together. Only reason I know this is because I'm ancient and I've made mistakes and I've driven myself crazy wondering "how was this before I started making this mess?" These days, we have cameras on our phones. Use it. Take lots of pictures of things from different angles before disassembly. And take notes and measurements. Write stuff down because it's goung to take linger than expected to finish the project and "forget" happens. Trust me.

 

[Curious Hound]

Ok. Interesting facts;

The front of my 3.0l is 1" offset to the passenger side. That is measured at the harmonic balancer.

The output flange of my 1354e transfer case is nearly perfectly centered between the frame rails.

I measured varying amounts of offset in between those points, like at the bellhousing forward flange and the transmission mount.

That means my engine, transmission and transfer case are crooked - pointed toward the rear driver side wheel, roughly.

The differential is offset to the passenger side - a lot more than 1 inch.

What this means for me is that I will attempt to put my 5.0l in 1" closer to the passenger side like my 3.0l is. But I will try to keep it straight that way because I need extra clearance for my new transfer case to fit inside the driver side frame rail. If I can make that happen, I'll be golden.

You may need something different. Do what makes sense for your build.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

Just giving you Hell, @Curious Hound. You looked like maybe you were having a bit of a rough day from your other post today. I just happen to have this handy-dandy Binford bear poking stick...

 

[Curious Hound]

Just giving you Hell, @Curious Hound. You looked like maybe you were having a bit of a rough day from your other post today. I just happen to have this handy-dandy Binford bear poking stick...

I can take it. All in a days work. Besides, now I have my measurements done and I know what I need to do. 1 more accomplishment for the day.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

@RonD would have the off center measurements off the top of his head for every year and engine combo, and in standard, metric, and cuneiform.

A guy I've worked with several times has cuneiform tattoos on his hand. He works at a hot tap service. He says I'm the only one to recognize what they were.

And u-joints need to be just a little off from straight. It makes the rollers inside move the grease around. So don't try to make the driveline perfectly straight...

 

[pjtoledo]

A guy I've worked with several times has cuneiform tattoos on his hand. He works at a hot tap service. He says I'm the only one to recognize what they were.

And u-joints need to be just a little off from straight. It makes the rollers inside move the grease around. So don't try to make the driveline perfectly straight...

a bit of wheel hop will keep that grease from gettin' stale.