What solid front axle

[xtremeRanger]

if I were to do a solid axle swap on my 89 ranger what axle would be best to match with the 8.8 rear axle?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Any you could shorten, or an EB D44 is already about the same width...

 

[mkpecor]

try to find an early bronco d44

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Actually, now that I'm thinking of it... If you want a perfect match, why not build a steering front 8.8"? I saw Extreme 4x4 do it to a 14BFF and I think it would be cool to have 8.8"s front and rear... Just for the neat-o factor, lol...

 

[Bray D]

97+ F150's have 8.8's front and rear

Like they said, EB D44 or if you want HP then narrow a full width

 

[Will]

if I were to do a solid axle swap on my 89 ranger what axle would be best to match with the 8.8 rear axle?

Is it the original axle? The best swap is maybe the D30 from a Jeep. It's of appropriate strength and has the same lug pattern.

 

[dangeranger01]

Do fullwidths front and rear. I did a 79 hp dana44 in the front, and an 8.8 out of an 89 bornco in the rear, and put a drive flange out of an explorer on it so my shaft would bolt up. They are the same width, bolt pattern, thread pitch, and now i have 31 spline axels in the rear and bigger drums. It will lock up the 37s when before it wouldnt the 33s.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

If it's gonna be a trail rig I'd say go FW too... When I do my SAS I plan on driving it on the street so I'll be doing a cut down 44 and FF8.8"... I agree with Will, if you want just a solid axle go for a D30, if you want a SA because you need extra strength go at least for a D44...

 

[4x4junkie]

I would never use a D30 in anything except maybe a BII, a Ranger is too heavy for them.

If it must be a solid, then yes, find a D44. Otherwise another option is a D35 from an Explorer, which is nearly as strong as the 44, and just bolts in.