RBV have an offset chunk, so one axle tube is longer than the other, what if I take the tube out of the long side, shorten it to the same as the short side, reinstall it, put 2 short axles in it, this should narrow the complete rearend by approx. 3" and get the tires tucked inside the wheelwells.

The offset of the wheels won't allow alotta narrowin.............

I just measured the 7.5 I pulled out of the RAT Ranger......RR tube is 16 5/8" and LR is 19 1/2" = 2 7/8" difference.....

Any input on removin the tube? Do I heat it after removin the axle shaft, then twist it with a pipe wrench, and then reinstall the same way???

What ya think???

 

you will wont be able to mount your leaf springs and they do this to clear the gas tank

 

I like the idea, Tim. Makes sense and I can see it being totally feasible.


Downey, Tim wants to narrow the rear slightly, he's already going to be moving the spring perches on the axle anyway to center the axle to the frame... Wouldn't you think if he's going to be narrowing, he'll have to move perches anyway?

 

yeah but now he is going to have to have to move the leafs probably the gas tank and some other things. idk i guess i dont understand everything i will just wait and see

 

He's shortening the passenger side, nudging the axle towards the driverside a whopping 1 1/4" or so. It ain't gonna hurt considering the kind of work he's doing to this truck. Maybe he's totally ditching the leaves and the stock tank all together?


Sorry Tim, I don't have any experience of pulling those tubes out of the chunk, only seen it on TV and on the web. lol.

 

wouldnt that make the differential in the middle?? and isnt the RBV driveline offset?

 

he's removed the gas tank...its not going back

 

I believe the tubes are plug welded to the pumpkin. Three on eash side if I remember right.

 

three big nasty plug welds like 1.5 inches in diameter

 

with enough abuse, the axle tubes like to spin themselves loose... go jump it! haha... in all seriousness, I would try sourcing that shorter axle shaft before proceeding... not too sure if you can use an axle from the shorter side... seems like a lot of work just to get the tires under the fenders when you could easily just flare the bedsides an inch or so on each side... hell of a lot less work... reason?

Joey

 

cant flare a flareside! its like dividing by zero! hes trying to tuck some huge rubber under there...look at his build
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...r-build-3.html

 

makes more sense... I read in the build thread he's putting in a 8.8, right? if so, that would be a lot of waste to do this kind of work to the 7.5...

Joey

 

I believe Tim measured the old 7.5 from the project truck because that's what he's got on-hand.

 

=====================================
Is the circled area one of these plugs your talkin bout?


If these are plug welds,I've heard of guys spinnin these tubes under drag racin conditions, so HITH is that possible????

YES it has an Explorer 8.8 LS and YES to original fuel tank is GONE NEVER to return!!!

THANKS for all the responses to now guys!

 

^^^ yea those are the plug welds

 

You can close this thread, as I got my answer from my RPS post.

For those that may be interested, here's the link:
My 302 Swap Thread - Page 9 - Ranger Power Sports Forum

THANKS to all for the responses!!!

 

While you're at it you should do like 034x4 and fully weld to tubes so you don't ever have to worry about spinning them.