What year axle??

[stegomon]

I have a 7.5 out of a newer ranger with 10 inch brakes. But I don't know what year it came out of. I want to convert my 9 inch drums into 10 inch drums on my B2. How can I identify what year axle it is so I can get the correct brakes for it? Or could I just get all of the hardware, shoes and drums from like a 90 ranger and it will all bolt to that?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just buy the parts for 10 inch brakes.

I think you're over thinking it.

 

[stegomon]

So do i just pick a year and go with it?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Since the 7.5 and 8.8 share the same bearings and seals at the ends of the tubes in a Ranger, I wouldn’t be surprised if backing plates and all the 10” drum stuff would just bolt right on the ends of the tubes. Go to a junkyard and pull everything off.

 

[stegomon]

Just buy the parts for 10 inch brakes.

I think you're over thinking it.

Since the 7.5 and 8.8 share the same bearings and seals at the ends of the tubes in a Ranger, I wouldn’t be surprised if backing plates and all the 10” drum stuff would just bolt right on the ends of the tubes. Go to a junkyard and pull everything off.

Awesome. Thanks guys for the info. That will save alot of headaches!!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Awesome. Thanks guys for the info. That will save alot of headaches!!!

Keep in mind, there are pins from the wheel cylinder to the brake shoes on the 10” drums that are somewhat unobtainium other than junkyards. I’m not sure if there’s ever been confirmation of a viable aftermarket part, which is why I suggested a junkyard.

 

[stegomon]

Keep in mind, there are pins from the wheel cylinder to the brake shoes on the 10” drums that are somewhat unobtainium other than junkyards. I’m not sure if there’s ever been confirmation of a viable aftermarket part, which is why I suggested a junkyard.

I have a loose 7.5 in my yard. I don't know the year. But that has 10 inch brakes. I have a 7.5 in an 90 ranger. But I really don't want to use that for some parts. Only if I have to

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think he has the 10 inch brakes already. He just wants shoes and hardware kits.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I think he has the 10 inch brakes already. He just wants shoes and hardware kits.

Pretty sure the only thing that changed was the adjuster setup but the shoes are the same no matter the year, but to be safe, just pick a year and ask for that

 

[Uncle Gump]

The later model shoes have a pin for the adjuster lever. The early model shoes have a hole for the lever. So I believe the shoes are different. Not sure of the year break for the change.

As long as you buy the same year shoes as your self adjusters... you should be ok. Seems I did that in the past... used late model shoes and adjusters on earlier backing plates.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I just had to look cause I've seen this before. Looks like it changed in 95.

I was working on a 94 (I flipped a few back in the day) but had later model shoes and hardware. I'm like 99% sure I put later model parts on the earlier backing plates without issue.

 

[pjtoledo]

answering your original question.
the only way to determine the year is the tag on the diff cover bolt or the band on the tube.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Wernt they just a touch wider after 92?

If so you could measure it and get a ballpark year

 

[Uncle Gump]

@stegomon I sure don't want to steer you wrong here... wish all the details were still clear in my mind. But they aren't after thinking about this a bit more.

Looking at parts catalogs on line... 10 inch brakes are all 10 x 2 1/2. But... things changed in 95. The later 95 and up self adjusters look like this and require a different shoe..

Pre 95 adjusters and shoes were different and look like these...

I still believe i used later model shoes and adjusters on earlier backing plates... simply because I already had them and had an earlier truck that needed rear brakes.

As @pjtoledo stated... tag on the diff cover well tell you. It's likely gone though.

I'll suggest you pop a drum off and look at the adjusters. That will tell you if they're early or late.

 

[19Walt93]

I used my spare Mustang II 8 inch rear with some custom 5 lug Currie axles in my 93 Ranger and the original 10 inch Ranger backing plates bolted right on. Actually, the 8.8 rear under the truck when I bought it might not have been original in a 2.3 truck. I was shocked but happy that the backing plates fit.