I am thinking about changing to a 9” rear end and was wondering what had to be done to make the ABS work correctly ?
I am hoping it will only be a magnetic sensor or something simple.

Are there other sensors to worry about ?

Thanks,

 

The only ABS sensor is at the diff. If you look at the top-front of the diff, you will see a hall sensor for axle speed. This sensor reads a toothed tone-ring sandwiched between the ring gear and the differential carrier. I have no idea if you can get/fab the same type of setup in a Ford 9".

 

haha serious man? you really think they had abs before in the 60-late 70s? why do you want/need a 9 inch? get a 31 spline 8.8 if your looking for strength or say phawk it and dont run abs cause its useless and dangerous and hinders control of the truck

 

I said OK to the 8.8/31 spline axles and tried to find one, not.
Everyone that had one thinks it is made of GOLD.
I would be satisfied if I could find an 8.8/31 but we will see.

The 9”er, I know they didn’t have the ABS Stuff, that is why I am asking about what to do.
I have a 9” Detroit Tru-Trac/31s so it got me thinking.
If I were to find a 8.8/31 in decent shape/low milage I would sell the Tru-Trac and attempt to get some of my money back OR maybe trade it for the 8.8.

Up in the air for this whole thing, just trying to get my head around it.

 

As far as ABS screw it and you're set! You will have the ABS light on your dash and that is all. I'm sure if you wanted to you could get it to turn off. The 9" with Tru-Trac sounds pretty good if you already have it.

 

I do have the Detroit Tru-Trac it was for 82 jeep project but I got a good price on Detroit Locker so I swapped it around.
I have the Carrier, now to locate an axle hsg or find an 8.8 w/31 axles.

 

You cant just go to the junkyard and get an expo rear end?

 

Do all Ex Rear Diff come with 31 spline axles and a limited slip ?

 

All Explorer rear diffs are 31 spline, not all have a limited slip. Before (maybe including) 1995 had rear drums, discs after that.

Some places sell the 8.8 31 spline for cheap, other places have their heads up their sh!tters and want $500 for them.

On a side note, ABS sucks anyway.

 

It's the Fx4 axles that are a ***** to find...IDK why you wern't considering a Expo rear. It's a far more plentiful and cheaper option AND you can get replacement shafts for it. That's something that can't be said about the Fx4 axles. Custom cut is the only option on those.

 

Good to know info…

I have a 1994 Navajo (Ex-Sport) will that should have the 31 spline axles too.

Also, will the gears from a 28 spline axle work on the 31 spline differential or did Ford do one of their special setups; I would assume the carriers are the same ?

Ok so you got me thinking, if I were to stick to an ABS axle and this ’94 has ABS in the rear, will it be the same thing ?

Thanks for the assist on this.

 

gears are the same....8.8 gears will fit all 8.8's.

Carriers....I honestly havn't a clue. Never had two side by side to compare. But I do know the R&P gears are all the same.

As far as I know, all 8.8's have that sensor on the top. At least all 95+ do. Just use the sensor that's stock to your truck in the 'new' axle and you'll be good to go.

 

Good advise and I would think all 8.8 diffs are the same, except the OD of the actual carrier side bearings might be a little larger.

Thanks FX4w…

I thought you worked nights ?

 

I mean I can go to the junkyard and get an expo rear for $120. Last time I checked when I was there, I found 4 with 4.10 gears and L/S

 

I have heard of some people having the tone ring put on a 9" and the housing custom machined. I have also seen people buy the custom rings and mount them on the driveshaft at the tcase output with a custom mounted sensor and they use some type of digital adjustment to read the revolutions properly.

Most guys only do this because other year rangers need that tone ring sensor for the speedometer and computer for shift patterns. Your 03 does not need this. Jason (rngrprerunner) had to run one of those rings on his 2000

 

zabeard, interesting stuff.

So let see, I can add this ring to the Diff or to the a$$ end of the T/C or I can do away with it completely because it only has something to do with the automatic shifting, I jave a 5-sp so no biggy.
Will the OEM Speed-O still work OK and will I be able to re-cal the Speed-O for larger tires ?

Thanks for all of this info guys it is good and I am trying to get my head around what I will do.
ltr

 

Bringing back the old and tired.

I used an 8.8 I found for a 2003 Ranger, FX4, LvL II.
Everything worked out except I have the ABS indicator light on.
I am not running ThenABS ring gear in the rear diff! here is where the problem started.

If you eliminate the ABS from the rear diff, does the computer show an error ?

My ABS indicator light is on which would indicate an error code and I need to put it out and get the computer in line so I can get a sticker.
Yes I know the Bulb Removal Procedure will fix the on condition of the bulb but will it affect the computer.

Interested in the effect on the MA sticker, which I need this month.
Wasn't thinking about Error Code or Indicator Light...

 

Indicator light is out, BRP (Bulb Removal Procedure).
Now to see if I can get a sticker.