So GET THIS trying to find a Rear 7.5 axle with a 3.08 ratio!!

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know you want to keep the gear ratio that you have. I had at one time two 94 rangers both are 2wd, 5spd, standard cab, short bed. Both rangers had V6's, my current one has the 3.0 when it was stock I had 3:45 gears, lifted now I have 4:10 gears with 31's. The old 94 (wrecked) friend's fault It had the 4.0, that one stayed stock it had 3:08 gears. That one quick but slow even for the 4.0 with a 5spd & with those gears it ate gas like mad. With my 3:45 that my 3.0 had it got way better miles with gas. It was quicker on take off's and accerlated alot better then the 4.0 did. My choice would be the 3:45 gears and I believe I still may have mine setting in my old 4:10 gear box. If you want you can have just pay shipping. I will need to check first, and they came out of a 94 7.5 rearend.

Let me kow and they are FREE!

Both those trucks had four speed automatics with overdrive.

That poor 2.8 is running with its tongue hanging out with the three speed, deep gears and stock tires.

These things were ADVERTISED to get 21mpg hwy, if he was getting that with the stock setup then he is pretty close to as good as it is going to get with 3.08's.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If your saying both of my 94's had automatic transmission's your are wrong. Both of my 94's had a manual 5spd transimission. I won't ever own a automatic transmission, they are complete garbage.

Then you have two more gears than he does... and both trucks still have overdrive transmissions.

Now I notice you have mention of 5-speeds buried in your post.

 

[Will]

3.08s were pretty deep gears once upon a time. When the earth was awash with 3-speed autos most cars had gearing between 2.46 and 3.00. My 360 Duster had the performance axle in it and I think it was 3.23s.

 

[ryan]

3.45 axles are a dime a dozen. i'd still rather have 3.73s for the OD

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

you guys are all getting off track, he is set on using his 3.08s because once upon a time he had them in there and he knows how they work. so we should be helping him set his axle back up the way he wants it, regardless of what we feel he should run. so oilpatch, post up some pics of this thing and lets diagnose it.

 

[Insanejughead]

There's an '85 ranger that's about 15 miles from me that has the 3.08 7.5" axle.

The whole truck is for sale for $600.

 

[OilPatch197]

you guys are all getting off track, he is set on using his 3.08s because once upon a time he had them in there and he knows how they work. so we should be helping him set his axle back up the way he wants it, regardless of what we feel he should run. so oilpatch, post up some pics of this thing and lets diagnose it.

After doing the measurements, it would appear that I do not have "proper" preload on the Pinion, as it has movement and I can't feel any preload! as I only got NINE thousandths of backlash, I think I need more preload and that could very well be my entire problem.

But Give me your opinions of the chips and rust. The picture file name gives the description.

 

[OilPatch197]

..and this is the chip I am very worried about, its on the inner part of the ring.

 

[OldRedB2_84]

I have seen worse, I think they would be good.

 

[holyford86]

I drove on a 7.5 with chunks about 1/4 the size of the teeth missing for about a year, that's not anything that I would be concerned about.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've been driving on worse for over 2 years, and I purposly GROUND down a tooth so I could get the center pin out, and I ground out a lot more than your little bitty chip... I'm not easy on my axle either, since I blew a spider gear and replaced it (the reason for the chips and such) I've done 3 tractor pulls, pulled two loads to the scrap yard that were over 3000lb each about 25 miles, wheeled hard, rodded the heck out of it, you name it... and it hasn't complained a bit other than leaking oil out either the tube joint or the sensor O ring...