What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[JoshT]

Installed rear springs.


Apparently the u-bolts were loose. I spent an hour making sure I got the new ones tight. It drives much nicer , except now it pulls to the drivers' side.

Is it possible that you installed one of the springs backwards? That would definitely throw off the alignment. Or maybe new springs fixed soemthing that was corrected for in previous alignment.

@lil_Blue_Ford is it an 8.8"? Maybe hit the junkyard for an IRS Explorer diff cover? They were nice aluminum units that had extra ears for mounting provisions. Cut the ears off and run it on the solid axle. Reminds me that I should look for one (or two) next time I'm at the yard. You may know about that one already and want something else.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

@JoshT , it is indeed an 8.8” and I never gave that a thought. I was figuring on getting one of the nodular iron diff covers for the Choptop but one of those could work for now. Never gave a thought that those could work.

 

[JoshT]

@lil_Blue_Ford for some reason I thought there was an article on it in the tech library, but I don't see it now. Here's a link to an FTE thread showing/discussing it.

Factory Ford bling 8.8 differential cover... poor-boy style on the cheap. - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Factory Ford bling 8.8 differential cover... poor-boy style on the cheap. - Aluminum differential cover with ribs/cooling fins, a bottom drain plug and a magnetic fill plug for next to nothing. What more could ya ask for. Rolled around under an IRS...

www.ford-trucks.com

The aluminum is a step up from stock, but for what you are doing the nodular iron cover might be a better choice. It'd definitely hold up better to getting a beating on the trail.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

@lil_Blue_Ford for some reason I thought there was an article on it in the tech library, but I don't see it now. Here's a link to an FTE thread showing/discussing it.

Factory Ford bling 8.8 differential cover... poor-boy style on the cheap. - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Factory Ford bling 8.8 differential cover... poor-boy style on the cheap. - Aluminum differential cover with ribs/cooling fins, a bottom drain plug and a magnetic fill plug for next to nothing. What more could ya ask for. Rolled around under an IRS...

www.ford-trucks.com

The aluminum is a step up from stock, but for what you are doing the nodular iron cover might be a better choice. It'd definitely hold up better to getting a beating on the trail.

The aluminum cover has to be better than the stamped tin thing and I should be able to grab one of the aluminum covers for next to nothing, so it would be a good interim cover until I can buy the better one.

 

[Curious Hound]

Installed rear springs.

Not as much lift as I'd hoped. 1" Rear is still 1" shorter than front with the winch on it. I'm thinking about and add-a-leaf.

Apparently the u-bolts were loose. I spent an hour making sure I got the new ones tight. It drives much nicer , except now it pulls to the drivers' side.

If the rear is higher than it was, you have changed the caster angle. That could make the toe & camber change while driving. Double check your alignment.