Questions about carrier bearing

[Josh B]

Actually it is now the center bearing, being that Ford decided a bearing in the transmission should get the carrier bearings name. Hope I haven't got those two reversed, it has been a long time since I saw that little tidbit

 

[JohnnyO]

According to a retired Ford engineer on another board, Ford added a carrier bearing to prevent driveshaft whip at high speed due to the length.
That said, some driveshafts were built incorrectly and cause vibration. Quality Is Job One, someone once said.
If it ever happens to mine I would just get the one-piece Tom Woods driveshaft. According to their driveshaft RPM chart, whip is only a problem if you regularly drive long distances at high speed, like over 90 mph.
I'm not sure about the Ranger but my old 08 Sport Trac had a two-piece driveshaft and the bearing is not replaceable, you have to get a whole new driveshaft. Rock Auto had the best price and it wasn't hard to change.

 

[Josh B]

It doesn't bother me breaking 2 more bolts, I could maybe do without having to drag that thing over the top of the crossmembers in three pieces tho