rearend swap questions??

[hddave1]

215/70/r15 are the size on the truck

 

[Mac]

I just checked with my 3.0L running the 3.73 gear and 225/70-14 tires and only run 2000 rpm at 55 mph. Motor is hardly working at that level, got lot of "poop" left in it for passing and still gets almost 23mpg. You're not going to hurt that motor at all. Did you ever post what RPM you are running at 55 or 70 mph?
Dave

 

[hddave1]

i wish i had a rpm gauge but at this time i dont so i cant say what im running at 55-65mph.. im going to have some trouble finding 3.73 around here..i looked at one junk yard today and i found 2 rangers and they both had 3.08 like mine..im going to keep looking but if i were to find 3.45, would that be a big boost compaired to the 3.08's

 

[Mac]

I had the 3.45's in my '98' 4 banger and loved it for in town driving but out on the interstate, it sucked in a head wind doing 70 mph, just not enought hp on tap. Where you located at?
Dave

 

[hddave1]

I had the 3.45's in my '98' 4 banger and loved it for in town driving but out on the interstate, it sucked in a head wind doing 70 mph, just not enought hp on tap. Where you located at?
Dave

im in ky.

 

[hddave1]

well i looked again at another junk yard and found a 87 and 89 rangers both with axel code 84 3.45 and they want 100buck for either one so im thinking about going with 3.45.. i figure it has to be better than a 3.08.. would either rearends bolt up in my ranger without any mods?if i get one should i go ahead and change the gear grease while i have it out?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

the rear end will bolt right in. and yes i would def cahnge out the gear oil maybe put a synthetic back there. but my suggestion is if you can weld or know someone who can. get a rearend outta a 95-? explorer. this will give you 3.73 gears, and rear disc brakes. the only diff is the explorer is a sring under, and a ranger is a spring over, so the perches from the old axle have to be welded on. no biggie really. just something to think about.

 

[hddave1]

the rear end will bolt right in. and yes i would def cahnge out the gear oil maybe put a synthetic back there. but my suggestion is if you can weld or know someone who can. get a rearend outta a 95-? explorer. this will give you 3.73 gears, and rear disc brakes. the only diff is the explorer is a sring under, and a ranger is a spring over, so the perches from the old axle have to be welded on. no biggie really. just something to think about.

im a sheetmetal worker by trade so i could weld on the explorer rear but from what i've read, there are some issues with brake lines and the e-brake that i dont want to get into..i figure the down time would be about a 1/2 a day if i stay with a ranger rear vs a couple of days down with a explore rear..im still looking but im probably going to go with a 3.45 gear.. that should be a far cry better than the 3.08 i have now..im just interested in a better in town and highway pulling truck. basically right now the truck cant get out of its own way so im hoping the 3.45 will help that a little.. thanks for all the advice and input on my 85 ranger rear change..i will post back with hopefully good results when i get everything changed out..

 

[rangerstzz]

my '88, 2.3, 5spd ranger came stock with a 3:73 rear, with 205/75/14 tires the rpm's about 2250 at 90kph[ aprox 55mph ] and 2550 at 100kph [ aprox 60mph ]

 

[hddave1]

i've looked at several trucks around here and the best i can do is a 3.45..i think that should pep up this little truck alot better than the 3.08's i have now..im hopeing with 3.45 gears, that i should be running about 2250 to 2500 at 70mph on the interstate..

 

[hddave1]

update..... so i found a rearend out of a 88 ranger it has 3.73 in it..my question is this.. the truck is 4 wheel drive.. does it matter cuz my 85 is 2 wheel drive also will i need the drive shaft out of the 88 or will mine work...

 

[Mac]

Ought to be a drop in, bolt in project. Go for it.
Dave

 

[4x4junkie]

Yep, bolt 'er in and go.

 

[hddave1]

thanks guys, you all talked me into it...i just hope i dont hate the high rpms at highway speeds ..lol...1 more question .. my truck has 215/70/r15 tires, will that along with the 3.73 make my speedo read way off and will the tires make a even higher rpm or lower..

 

[strvger]

there are calculators in the tech library that i rely on for questions of tires/gears/rpm's. it is really good and should help you lots. good luck and post back here with your results.