rear end help

[twain32]

I have a 87 ford ranger and its a 4wd and I have a 83 ford ranger 2wd, I was wondering if I can swap the rear end out and put the 83 rear end in the 87? alot of the part's switch over but I'm not sure about the rear end. Thanks in advance.

 

[RonD]

'83 to '92 1st generation Rangers all used 7.5" axles of the same width(except '90-'92 4.0l got 8.8" axles)
So yes '83 should just bolt up in place of '87 rear axle

Since you have a 4x4 you also need to match the gear ratio, the front and rear need to be the same.
And 2WD will probably be an OPEN axle, the '87 4x4 will usually have an L/S, limited slip, for better traction.

Read here on how to tell what ratio you have in both vehicles: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml

Drivers door label will tell you
It will also tell you if 4x4 has L/S, you don't have to use an L/S axle, it's an upgrade, so a want not a need, lol.

 

[2813josh]

Exactly what RonD said.

 

[holyford86]

'83 to '92 1st generation Rangers all used 7.5" axles of the same width(except '90-'92 4.0l got 8.8" axles)
So yes '83 should just bolt up in place of '87 rear axle

Since you have a 4x4 you also need to match the gear ratio, the front and rear need to be the same.
And 2WD will probably be an OPEN axle, the '87 4x4 will usually have an L/S, limited slip, for better traction.

Read here on how to tell what ratio you have in both vehicles: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml

Drivers door label will tell you
It will also tell you if 4x4 has L/S, you don't have to use an L/S axle, it's an upgrade, so a want not a need, lol.

Some of the 83 4x2 trucks used a smaller 6.75 axle iirc, i have an 83 cab and the door sticker points to that axle

 

[RonD]

Good info, didn't know that.