Swapping Front and Rear Axles for 4.10s

[98_4x4_Ranger]

So I have a 1998 Regular Cab Ford Ranger 4x4 with 3.73 gears. There are three things I'd like to do, I want 4.10 gears, a 8.8in rear axle, and I'd like to have a LSD in the back. Would it be easier to completely swap the front Dana 35 Assembly with one from a Junkyard but with 4.10 gears? I'm hoping that if I can just swap in a front assembly with 4.10 gears, I can find a 98 ranger with the 8.8 rear axle with 4.10s, and a LSD. Does anyone have any experience with any of this? Or am I getting in over my head with it?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yes, finding a whole front diff will be easier, if it's anything like my '00 explorer which I think it is the same then it's pretty easy just jacking it up and pulling the upper ball joints, prying out the CV shafts from the front diff and taking out just a few bolts...

For the rear you don't need a '98, '93-08 is the year range, 4.0L Rangers will have a bolt in 8.8... just gotta find one with the right gear ratio.

 

[dvdswan]

If your looking in JYs, search for vehicles with a D2 axle for 4.10 w/ LSD in Explorers/Sport Tracs and F7 for 4.10 w/ LSD or 87 for 4.10 open in Rangers.

Complete swaps are a lot easier as you don't need to setup the gears. Downside is the actual condition is unknown until driven. Changing/inspecting fluid and inspecting the gear pattern can certainly give a better idea on the condition.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ranger parts are a bolt-in. Explorer parts take a bit of work.

My green 00 Ranger I stripped a 97/98 Explorer and put those axles in because it was 3.73 with limited slip rear. 31 spline with disks. I was lowering and going V8 too. Front was just bolt-in. Rear I had to rotate the spring perches for pinion angle. Explorer rears have the shock mounts on the U-bolt plates and I kept the spring under axle design since I was lowering anyway.

My Choptop has a rear 8.8 out of a Ranger currently.

Swapping a whole axle is the easiest. I usually check/replace axle bearings and seals and new gear oil when swapping an axle. My Ranger I got new clutch plates for the limited slip rear and swapped those. Some gear oil comes with the limited slip additive and some doesn’t. All that additive does is keep the clutches from grabbing hard, so don’t overdo adding it. I also eliminated a steel plate in favor of an extra clutch disk in my stacks, there’s a thing in the tech library on it.

98-11 for the front axle for Rangers and you can use a rear axle from a 90-08 Ranger with a 4.0 for bolt-in. Explorers are technically 95-01 for the front axle but some of the early ones had a vacuum disconnect on the passenger shaft if I mind right. The two 97/98 Explorers I’ve had in my possession don’t have that but a friend’s 96 does. Rear axle from an Explorer is 91-01, the 91-94 had drum rear and the 95-01 had disk. All Explorers got the 8.8

 

[98_4x4_Ranger]

Ranger parts are a bolt-in. Explorer parts take a bit of work.

My green 00 Ranger I stripped a 97/98 Explorer and put those axles in because it was 3.73 with limited slip rear. 31 spline with disks. I was lowering and going V8 too. Front was just bolt-in. Rear I had to rotate the spring perches for pinion angle. Explorer rears have the shock mounts on the U-bolt plates and I kept the spring under axle design since I was lowering anyway.

My Choptop has a rear 8.8 out of a Ranger currently.

Swapping a whole axle is the easiest. I usually check/replace axle bearings and seals and new gear oil when swapping an axle. My Ranger I got new clutch plates for the limited slip rear and swapped those. Some gear oil comes with the limited slip additive and some doesn’t. All that additive does is keep the clutches from grabbing hard, so don’t overdo adding it. I also eliminated a steel plate in favor of an extra clutch disk in my stacks, there’s a thing in the tech library on it.

98-11 for the front axle for Rangers and you can use a rear axle from a 90-08 Ranger with a 4.0 for bolt-in. Explorers are technically 95-01 for the front axle but some of the early ones had a vacuum disconnect on the passenger shaft if I mind right. The two 97/98 Explorers I’ve had in my possession don’t have that but a friend’s 96 does. Rear axle from an Explorer is 91-01, the 91-94 had drum rear and the 95-01 had disk. All Explorers got the 8.8

What do you think time for the swap will be? (Assuming that I find two axles in good condition) Would this be an easy weekend project, or should I expect it to take longer.