Rear end conversion?

[franky1205]

I’m interested in having disc brakes in the rear as opposed to these drums I found one from an explorer and a mustang with a 5.0 which I plan on putting in in the future I believe it’s an 8.8 rear end do I have to have the motor and tranny from these cars in my ranger in order to have that rear end any tips and tricks would be appreciated

 

[rusty ol ranger]

No. Your engine and trans will spin that rear just fine.

The explorer disc brake conversion is pretty popular and well documented. Dont use the mustang rear.

Also, if you have 4wd you will need to make sure the rear you put in has the same gear ratio in order to match the front.

Welcome to TRS!

 

[franky1205]

No mine is a RWD drive so i have to find an 8.8 from an explorer ?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

No mine is a RWD drive so i have to find an 8.8 from an explorer ?

That would be eaisest.

Why dont you post your question in the axle forum. Where youll get much better responses then i can give.

 

[franky1205]

Ok thanx I’m new to this site so thanx for the advice I’ll definitely do that

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Ill just move this to the axle section.

Welcome!

 

[adsm08]

Use the Explorer rear end. Neither one is bolt-in, unless you want to loose about 4 inches of height off the rear of your truck, but the Explorer rear is going to be a lot less hassle.

The brakes are bigger, and better, and the parking brake hook up will be nearly 100% factory.

 

[4x4junkie]

The Explorer axle seems the most popular swap for those also looking for a strength upgrade at the same time (say, if you're running 35" or taller tires and/or a well-built engine). It isn't quite bolt-in though, you have to reposition the leaf spring perches and add shock brackets, which isn't a difficult job for someone with fabricating experience. However if you also lack a welder, you might consider having an off-road fabrication shop do the swap.

Some info on it here:

Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Rear Axle - Swap - The Ranger Station

The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch rear axle has found homes in numerous vehicles besides the Explorer. It has been swapped in to Ford Rangers, Bronco II’s, Jeeps, Chevy S-10’s and even some cars. The 8.8-Inch axle used in the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

Another option if you don't need the strength increase but only want the disc brakes might be to look for a 2010 or 2011 Ranger 8.8" axle. I do believe these would be a bolt-in swap to yours (excepting for the brake connections) You'll need the u-bolts and leaf spring plates from the truck the axle comes from since the tubes are bigger.

 

[Mike Tonon]

Now, in theory, we could have 4.10 up front and 3.73 in the back and just run bigger tires up front and smaller tires in the back, right? If we want to be a cool kid?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Now, in theory, we could have 4.10 up front and 3.73 in the back and just run bigger tires up front and smaller tires in the back, right? If we want to be a cool kid?

That is how they do it with tractors, although they usually have the front spinning a hair faster than the rear.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Now, in theory, we could have 4.10 up front and 3.73 in the back and just run bigger tires up front and smaller tires in the back, right? If we want to be a cool kid?

My STX at the moment lmao, soon Ill get around to getting the FX4 Lvl II rear axle swapped in. But the transfer case survived all winter the very few limited times I HAD to use 4wd...

Speaking of, if the OP could find a Lvl II axle then he would have a bolt in axle with the strength of an explorer 8.8 and could easily retrofit the explorer discs to it. The only down side would be they only come 4.10 gears if thats not what he wants and replacement axle shafts may be hard to source if the need ever arose... wish Ford would have just used an explorer housing for the Lvl II for that very reason lol

 

[pjtoledo]

My STX at the moment lmao, soon Ill get around to getting the FX4 Lvl II rear axle swapped in. But the transfer case survived all winter the very few limited times I HAD to use 4wd...

Speaking of, if the OP could find a Lvl II axle then he would have a bolt in axle with the strength of an explorer 8.8 and could easily retrofit the explorer discs to it. The only down side would be they only come 4.10 gears if thats not what he wants and replacement axle shafts may be hard to source if the need ever arose... wish Ford would have just used an explorer housing for the Lvl II for that very reason lol

there does seem to be confusion about the Level II axle shafts, do you know any part #s for them? and their respective lengths?

to the OP,, 2010 Ranger rear axles come standard with rear disc brakes. they are sort of a hybrid axle, Explorer style big axle bearings but only 28 splines in the differential. parking brake is the hat style. Unfortunately THEY DO NOT HAVE PROVISIONS FOR THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE DIFFERENTAIL

 

[turbo91xlt]

there does seem to be confusion about the Level II axle shafts, do you know any part #s for them? and their respective lengths?

I dont know the part numbers offhand but my understanding is it is the same width as any other '93+ ranger axle (~1.5" narrower then an explorer axle iirc) but 31 spline instead of 28.

 

[Mac]

RockAuto has the 31 spline axles. Seem to be the same length as the 28 spline

USA STANDARD GEAR USA21910 1541H Alloy (Rebate/Promotion Available!) Info Rear Left; Ford 8.8 in.; 31 Spline; 30 1/8 in. Length; 5 Lug; with Off Road Package (FX4); with Axle Code S302G; S302L; S303A; V302B; V305C (Only 1 Remaining)		$188.79​	$0.00​	$188.79​
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USA STANDARD GEAR USA21909 1541H Alloy (Rebate/Promotion Available!) Info Rear Right; Ford 8.8 in.; 31 Spline; 27-1/4 in. Length; 5 Lug; with Off Road Package (FX4); with Axle Code S302G; S302L; S303A; V302B; V305C (Only 1 Remaining)