Project Apple Bottom

[MAranger]

Is that a 8.8/7.5 with adaptors on it?

 

[tpking]

d60ff .. but they make kits for the 8.8/7.5

 

[95XL]

Yes, tpking is correct, thats a D60FF. I decided to go with a full floating axle, due to the amount of leverage the outside wheel would put on the bearings of a semi-float 7.5 or 8.8. It's a much sturdier design. But, I don't know of any kits for the 7.5/8.8, other than the pile of junk that JC Whitney sells. The adaptors I made are (as far as I know), one of a kind, and nobody else has them, although some adaptor shops might be willing to make them.

But, that is a D35 with adaptors on the front. It just threw them on for now, until I get the D60 thrown under the front.

 

[WNY964x4]

once you get it done , bring it back to alfred for some wheeling

 

[unknown]

dont you have to cover the wheels? or is it legal where you are to have open tires?

 

[jaymegriffiths]

i dunno... because isnt it the vehicle weight i know that weight ratings like 1/4 tons and such go by the axle not the suspension. but im saying that if ur pulling a 30'000 lb trailer with a 2'500 lb truck i dont think its gonna stop. i could be wrong but thats my understanding

good luck pulling 30000 # with a 4 cylinder diesel, and rangers weigh more than 2500#. plus the quartet ton rating is definitly effected by the suspension. my 88 2.9 can haul a half yard of topsoil, but its completely squatted and rubs tires on bumps(the tire rub is due to the 245/60/14's im running) and the truck has plenty of power. the axle has never givin me trouble after almost a year of constant abuse (after removing the tranny twice im done bagging it its a PITA) but yes this truck could easily haul way more than a stock ranger due to the added support of the chevy leafs, and the D60 brakes.

Yes, tpking is correct, thats a D60FF. I decided to go with a full floating axle, due to the amount of leverage the outside wheel would put on the bearings of a semi-float 7.5 or 8.8. It's a much sturdier design. But, I don't know of any kits for the 7.5/8.8, other than the pile of junk that JC Whitney sells. The adaptors I made are (as far as I know), one of a kind, and nobody else has them, although some adaptor shops might be willing to make them.

But, that is a D35 with adaptors on the front. It just threw them on for now, until I get the D60 thrown under the front.

do FF axles have stronger wheel bearings or not wheel bearings at all? or sealed unit or something? what makes them stronger? lovin the build so far though, very jealous

 

[c_note]

This is a little thing I like to call a cable sandwich

i hope you dont mind me stealing your idea on the sandwich. ill probably end up milling one out on Monday. ha!

 

[dj224ranger]

dude that is lookin awesome i cant wait to see that bed. are you gonna leave the step on it or cut it so it is even with the cab?

 

[explodan]

unbelieveably cool.{spell check hahaha} that thing is awesome i need to see pics when done. are you going auto or stick? i think stick would be better. keep up the good work.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

unbelieveably cool.{spell check hahaha} that thing is awesome i need to see pics when done. are you going auto or stick? i think stick would be better. keep up the good work.

stick is especially better since he is converting to diesel, diesels dont like auto trannys

 

[95XL]

Wow, this thread sure did pick up some momentum lately, not a bad thing though, I really do need to get working on it.

are you going auto or stick? i think stick would be better. keep up the good work.

I'm going stick, there's a guy over on the 4BT swaps forums that makes a kit for the Isuzu enignes to bolt a Dodge NV4500 5spd to the Isuzu bellhousing, but he wants (I think) around $750 for it, and I have to send him my bellhousing. Then I would use whatever dodge manual transfercase that would bolt up to the tranny (as long as it was '94 or newer, because they were passenger side drop).

are you gonna leave the step on it or cut it so it is even with the cab?

I want to cut it so it's even, but I have no ambition to do any such body work. I do have a friend of mine who is awesome with body work, so I might be able to work out a deal with him or something to do it for me.

i hope you dont mind me stealing your idea on the sandwich. ill probably end up milling one out on Monday. ha!

By all means, go ahead, but I only made mine so the e-brake cables were connected and not dragging on the ground, and so the inspection guys wouldn't throw a fit about no e-brake cables. I don't ever use my e-brake anyways, so I'm not sure if it'll hold up to being used everyday. But, I'm sure it'll be fine.

do FF axles have stronger wheel bearings or not wheel bearings at all? or sealed unit or something? what makes them stronger?

Full float axles are setup similar to the front end of your Ranger (at least a D35 TTB, haven't seen any of the newer IFS's). There is a spindle on the end of the axle tube, then there are two bearings inside the hub, similar to your front rotors, they sit on the spindle and have a nut to torque them down. Then the axle shaft goes into the axle tube, and sits in the carrier, and the other end bolts to the hub. Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I drew up a picture.... I'll be back....

 

[95XL]

Ok, kind of a crude drawing, but I think you'll get the idea.

So, in essence, the axle shaft itself is free floating, there are no bearings or load put on the shaft itself, the only force the axle shaft has to deal with is torque to turn the tires. Thus a much stronger axle.

 

[c_note]

By all means, go ahead, but I only made mine so the e-brake cables were connected and not dragging on the ground, and so the inspection guys wouldn't throw a fit about no e-brake cables. I don't ever use my e-brake anyways, so I'm not sure if it'll hold up to being used everyday. But, I'm sure it'll be fine!

ya, i machined it earlier today.
i had the same problem since i put an explorer rear end in the truck. the cables were like only 6 inches off the ground.

 

[ranger_runner]

love the build. keep it going

 

[87RangerSTX]

Dude, you have earned my upmost kudos for this build!