hello all, im a newbie to the ranger world, ive been a mechanic for roughly 7 years but today i may have made a bad decision. i bought a 1989 ranger thats lifted 8 in on 35s but it has a bad rear, i only paid 600 bucks for it and i hope it wasnt a bad idea, now the question. will an rear out of a 1997 ranger fit this truck? if so i will only be in the truck for 700 bucks!!! please let me know asap thanks in advance

 

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Should be a "direct swap", just be sure is has the same gearin!

 

It should...i think sometime in the late 80's or early 90's they changed overall width like an inch or so. I found all that kinda info on the ranger station i think it was when i swapped axles in my old truck.

 

it will swap in no problem.

 

thank you guys so much you are awesome! this is already a great forum i guess i made a good deal, ill keep you all posted with pics of the install!!

 

now hopefully i can get the rear off the guy tomorrow and have it up and running by monday!

 

if the new rear has disc brakes you need correct master cylinder and prop/combo valve.

 

Hate to burst everyone's bubble, but look again, the widths are different from 89 to 97....

Axle Width Differences:

People have asked about the widths of axle shafts to swap shafts from one axle to another.

The early 1983-1992 Ranger axles are 1-inch shorter than the 1993-up pieces (Both sides). This means that the an entire Ranger axle assembly from 1993-up is 2-inches wider than 1983-1992.

The right side Bronco II axle shaft is 1-5/8" wider than the 1983-1992 Ranger shaft. All of this additional width is on the passenger side. The drivers side shaft is the same length in either axle assembly.

On ALL Ranger/Bronco II's the drivers side axle shaft is longer than the passenger side.

There is no difference between 7.5 & 8.8 axle shaft lengths provided you stay in the same year window.

As a note, if you go to a salvage yard, you may find the left-side shafts removed from 1983-1992 Rangers and Bronco II's. These axle shafts are the same length as the axle shafts in the "Fox" (1979-1993) Mustangs EXCEPT that Ranger/bronco II shafts are five-lug and Mustangs are four lug. Ranger/Bronco II shafts are frequently "pillaged" for use in converting a Mustang to five-lug wheels.



Might bolt in depending on spring perch width differences, but it's not the same axle. If you are going wider anyway and running 35's, might just want to get a 95 or later (for rear discs) Explorer axle for the strength of the 31 splines.
Look here for more info...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

The Ranger Station is a great site for good info.....

 

There is a wideth difference, but the spring perches are in the same location, as I put a 88 Bronco II 7.5 L/S in my Son's 93, and it was a "direct bolt-in".......pics are with 15X8 Ultra 50/51's:

 

thanks but that will not matter since my ranger is lifted 8 inches on 35s! might actually look better lol, but i will be going with the explorer rear as soon as i can find one, this one will work for now, pictures to come