rear axle and locker help

[theycallme1016]

7.5 3.73 open rear. I cant stand the one wheel drive so i would like to know if it would be better to just get a LSD rear or change it to an 8.8 3.73 open and get the no-slip locker. Those are my two choices, what would be hands down better and better price wise.

 

[brinker88]

Stop posting the same question in multiple subforums. People WILL eventually answer you.

 

[stmitch]

If it's just a street driven truck, I'd just put a Trac-Loc in the 7.5. It would probably be cheaper than an axle swap, and you don't have to worry about trying to sell or store an extra axle.
If you do lots of offroading, or are putting down major torque (like 300lb ft or more) you'll want the 8.8 for it's strength and durability.

 

[88_Eddie]

too bad you didnt post this about 3 weeks ago, i just scrapped a 7.5 with a 373 and LS

but yeah, depends on what you're doing with it

 

[theycallme1016]

its daily driven, haul, and some off road

 

[Will]

7.5 3.73 open rear. I cant stand the one wheel drive so i would like to know if it would be better to just get a LSD rear or change it to an 8.8 3.73 open and get the no-slip locker. Those are my two choices, what would be hands down better and better price wise.

An open axle isn't one wheel drive. It's either exactly two wheel drive or exactly 0 wheel drive. When one wheel is spinning, that's its 0 wheel drive mode.

The limited slip delays the point at which it becomes 0 wheel drive, but can be pretty decent. It has wear parts, though, plus if you use your truck like a timberjack, it won't cut the mustard.

For hauling weight, there is no difference between the 8.8 and 7.5 Ranger axles. The axle shafts carry the weight and the shafts are identical.I would not bother upgrading to a Ranger 8.8, but go straight to an Explorer 8.8 which has bigger axles. A 7.5 can hold up to a V8, so I'm really not sure of what the point of a Ranger 8.8 was.

If I were you, I would put in a Lockright. Use your current axle, and just pop it in. Rear up on the handling differences it will have compared to the smooth differential you've been living with, though. You'll get used to it.

 

[brinker88]

To answer your question Will, the "point" (if you can call it that) was that the weak spot in a 7.5 is the ring/pinion. With the introduction of the 4.0L Ford got the great idea that they needed a "stronger" axle. Kinda stupid but it is what it is.

So, yes the axle shafts are the same bt the ring/pinion in the 8.8 is much stronger.