Rear end axle swap

[viperar15]

Currently I have a 7.5 4.10 in the rear of my 99 4x4 ranger. Working on swapping in a v8 and to put in a Ford 9" rearend.

I read the tech docs on shortening a dana 44 for a front, which can be applied to a rear end just as easily, but I have a couple questions before i begin cutting and having the axle shafts sent out for shortening.

does the pinion HAVE to be centered under the truck?

reason i ask is if it has to be, then i will need to buy new custom axle shafts for the ranger, because there is not enough material on the axle shafts to cut and re-spline. but if i just shorten one side or the other of the axle housing and axle shaft, then i can just have 1 axle shaft cut and re-splined since that would cut off further and give enough material for the job.

thanks!

 

[RockRanger]

How far are you planning on the pinion being offset. A few inches probably not a big deal. if you are talking a foot then you may have issues with the gas tank or exhaust. Suzuki guys run Toy axles with an offset t case.

 

[viperar15]

after measuring everything up tonight, i would end up hacking off 2.5 inches from the left side and 3" off the right side. but that leaves me with having to buy 2 custom axle shafts (since the 31 spline was tapered past the spline, there isn't enough material 2 or 3 inches down to get it re-splined)

so instead, cut 5.5inches off the driver side (this way the pinion moves towards the exhaust, which can be modified). in this case, i would have 1 normal axle shaft and be able to send out the other for cutting and re-splining (5.5 inches puts the cut down to raw metal that hasn't been touched by a machine yet). so if i'm doing my math right, it would be off center about 3 - 5 inches.

if the exhaust gets in the way... that can be solved in a multitude of ways.

 

[hitech_hick]

Not to over complicate things here, but what is wrong with running a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear?



hick

 

[viperar15]

because i already have a ford 9" sitting in my garage

 

[hitech_hick]

because i already have a ford 9" sitting in my garage

Hmmm

Step 1 Buy cheap 8.8 for project
Step 2 Sell 9 inch to hot rodder for obscene amount
Step 3 Profit




hick

 

[viperar15]

lol.

well... if i was to sell it, what you think i could get for it?
i haven't gone looking around yet to see the pricing of a used 9"

 

[KELLY88]

lol.

well... if i was to sell it, what you think i could get for it?
i haven't gone looking around yet to see the pricing of a used 9"

I'll give ya 20 bucks

 

[4x4junkie]

The stock Ranger diff is already offset 1.5" to the right (passenger) side. If the diff is 3" offset the same way, I don't see a problem. 5" I would think might cause some vibration issues though.

 

[viperar15]

alrighty... after some discussion last night, its gonna get put under the truck as is, full width with a d44 full width front. my brother talked me into it....

ok.... and NO its not gonna leave my hands for $20. lololol