Hello everyone,

I have a ‘98 Ranger XLT 3.0 4x4 (Rear 4.10 ratio, 7.5” ring, 10” brakes) that I’ve owned for 20 years now. It runs great and has a solid frame but it looks like the rear has taken the brunt of the New England salted-roads and has rusted very baldly, to the point where the metal is getting thin on the axles. It seems like the Fluid Film treatments that I’ve done over the years has worked much better on the steel frame than the cast axle. Anyway, I’m looking for a replacement that will bolt up, but it seems like many of the 4.10s listed on eBay are 8.8s that say they are only compatible with years ‘99 to ‘09. When I put in my specs (tag # 4 10 7.5 8D23) I always get a ‘doesn’t fit’ message for the 8.8 listings. But after joining this forum and reading through some of the previous threads, it sounds like the ‘99-‘09 8.8s (4.10) will bolt right up to the 98’s driveshaft, springs, shocks,sway bar,etc. It also sounds like many people here prefer the 8.8s. Am I reading these posts right or did I miss something?