Rear end swap help?

[2rangers2020]

I have 2 ford rangers. A 2003 4.0 4x4 and a 2002 3.0 4x4. I'm looking to retire the 3.0 but the 4.0 rear end is gone. I've just rebuilt the transmission and replaced the engine with a crate engine. Can the rear ends be swapped? I plan on switching the whole axle. Can this be done? Do I need to switch transfer cases as well?

 

[Curious Hound]

They can if the gear ratios are the same. Since you have a 4x4, the gear ratio in the rear diff must match the ratio in the front diff. So, if both trucks have the same gear ratio, swap away.

 

[2rangers2020]

They can if the gear ratios are the same. Since you have a 4x4, the gear ratio in the rear diff must match the ratio in the front diff. So, if both trucks have the same gear ratio, swap away.

How can I tell what gear ratio each one has?

 

[Curious Hound]

Three ways.

1. there should be a tag on the axle. It will have a code such as 4.10 which is 4.10 ratio, open differential. 3L73 would be 3.73 ratio, limited slip.

2. the axle code on the driver’s door jamb. There is an article in the tech section that explains the axle codes.

3. block the front wheels. Put rear axle on jack stands. Transmission in neutral. Put a mark on a tire and one on the pinion. Rotate pinion by hand and count how many revolutions or part revolutions it takes to make the tire do one revolution. Ie; about 3 3/4 turns of the pinion would be 3.73 ratio.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The code on the door sticker is easiest for sure, anymore I just google ranger axle code to find the list, less buttons, the TRS link is one of the top ones...

The axle tag will have two rows of text, ignore the top line, the second line is the important info and 90% of the time the first digit is under the bolt head but like Eric said it will read 4 10 (no period) or 4L10 (or 3 45 or 3 55 or 3 73 or 3 08 or 3 27, that's all of the factory ratios).

That said, both trucks have the same front axle too so you can swap the front axle with the rear and be safe either way. It has nothing to do with the transfer case, there's only been 2 transfer cases from 1983 to 2011 with a few small changes over the years but all are either a Borg Warner 13-50 or Borg Warner 13-54, both of yours have a CV joint front output so are the same version of the 13-54.

 

[GT350HR]

Yes the toughest thing is the darn E brake cables.. Otherwise a one day job.