Two problems with '95 Ranger 2.3L 5-spd

[Ben Morong]

I bought '95 ranger with 138k miles and 14 inch deer hoof wheels. It had a loud whine in the rear end and when going over 60 m.p.h. the rear end shook like the tires were severely out of balance. The front end didn't shake at all, so I switched front wheels/tires to the rear and the rears to the front, and the rear still shook badly. I got another set of 14 inch wheels (steel), put snow tires on them (balanced), and they shook the same. I got another rear axle and installed it, hoping to cure the whine, and the wheels don't fit -- not the deer hoofs or the steel wheels. Turns out the truck had an 8.8 in it and the one I installed was a 7.5, but I thought all Ford rear wheel drive wheels would bolt up. The 7.5's hub has a part that sticks out and is too big for the wheel's core hole to go over. I put a pair of 1/2 inch spacers on so that I can drive the truck, but what's going on? Do I have to find other wheels? Ford? Aftermarket? And any ideas on the shaking? The rear u-joint looked and felt like it was in good shape. And should I scrap the 8.8 rear axle, or is someone likely to be interested in the axle shafts?

 

[wilcox800mr]

I had the same problem with swapping a 08 7.5 into my 94. The center hole in the 08 drums is larger than the 94s. Parking brake cables were also different. Don't have a clue when the drums and shafts were changed (by Ford). Parts house (store) probably could tell us after doing a little research.
As far as wheels go, my Ruff Racings seem to bolt right up on either axle, but I'm gonna check now that you've posted this and got me worried. I'm supposed to be working this week if the permit offices cooperate, so it may be a few days before I can check them.

 

[509lifted]

that would be a bent rear driveshaft, my ujoints were bad and it was bent so when u shake it it will not move like it would with bad u-joint and you will get a bad vibration at high speeds then one day it will just snap so i would go get a new driveshaft cause im pretty sure that's what it is

 

[FritzTKatt]

Check the carrier bearing too. When mine went it started to whine at about 25mph, though.

If you're replacing the driveshaft, might as well get that out of the way too. New U-joints, pop the diff case and see what's inside. Bearings should likely howl at lower speeds than 60mph, but new lube (and friction modifier if it's a posi) won't hurt.