Replacement Rear

[mkarmil]

So I'm doing a rear swap after mine decided to take a crap and leave everything in shreds. I can get a rear from the yard for $90 but I wanted to make sure on a couple things before I pick one up.

I have a 99 ranger with a R7 rear in it.

Two questions:
1. R7 is a 8.8, 4.10 rear with the locker. I believe I am able to replace it with either another R7 or a 97 (axle code). Would this be correct?

2. Does the year of the truck matter, or did ford make each exactly the same from year to year and the only variance is axle code? i.e. use a 97 rear from a 01 ranger.

Thank again. First post, but I look on here often for answers.

 

[adsm08]

They are all going to bolt in. The biggest thing is to make sure you get the correct gear ratio (so 4.10) and then to make sure the new one has limited slip, if you want to retain that.

 

[mkarmil]

They are all going to bolt in. The biggest thing is to make sure you get the correct gear ratio (so 4.10) and then to make sure the new one has limited slip, if you want to retain that.

Thanks for the reply. Yes the gear ratios were a must to match. I could care less whether it is free vs locked/ls. The main question, I guess, is whether the rears were all exactly the same over different years on the same axle code. Will the mounts all align, drive shaft plate, etc. Maybe that is what you meant by "they are all going to bolt in"?

 

[4x4junkie]

What you want is an axle from any '93-'09 model, code R7 or 97.

Before '93 the axle is a narrower width at the wheels,
Before '88-'90 or so, the driveshaft (pinion) flange is smaller (so no bolt-up with those).
After '09 the axle has disc brakes, which has different brake hose and cable hardware (so again not a 100% bolt up).

 

[mkarmil]

Thanks man. Appreciate the info.