Is a 7.5 strong enough?
 

I am looking into getting a powertrax no slip differential. I just need to know if anyone has experience with one and knows for sure if my 7.5 axle is strong enough to handle it. The differential is suppose to unlock when coasting so I'd have to coast around turns but in reality there will be a point in time when I have to use the accelerator to get through a turn. So the differential will lock the axles. I'm worried that the axles will snap or shear the splines. Also if anyone can tell me how they handle. I'm up in ohio where snow storms are pretty bad and the added traction will help a lot. I also do a lot of camping where it is easy to get stuck, and not to say I go off-roading but once in awhile I'll be driving where there is no road. I've looked into getting an 8.8 but i'm looking to spend less so if the 7.5 will hold up it is cheaper than buying an 8.8 and the differential. Any help at all is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

I'm sure you could find an 8.8 in a junk yard. I don't think the 7.5 will hold up to any abuse.

8.8 (28 spline) and 7.5 have the same shafts, so your weak points really lie in the R&P.

What engine do you have? What is the gearing? How hard do you really drive?.....answer that and we'll have a better idea of how the axle will hold up.

I have the 2.5 liter inline 4 with a manual trans. the gearing is 3.73 and I am not a severe driver. I take it easy on turns and I am not racing around. I've read on other forums of the 7.5s holding up great and then i have heard horror stories of other ones blowing out 20ft down the road

Wirelessly posted

You will be fine. Same truck I used to have. Never had any issues with the 7.5.

"You will be fine. Same truck I used to have. Never had any issues with the 7.5."

You've used the powertrax no slip differential? And you never had any issues with it?

Sounds like you would be fine....of course Ranger 8.8s are all over the place, but unless you got a deal and really want to take the time to do the swap, I'd just run the 7.5.

Ranger 8.8" are way expensive.

If you swap go Expo. Little work half the price.

But with a 4 banger you should be good.

I beat my poor 7.5 to death behind a 302 and have yet to hurt it.

Ok thanks guys. I am set on getting one now. Thanks for the help and just out of curiosity, what makes the 8.8 better than the 7.5 since they use he same axles. Except for the 31 spline 8.8.

Ring and pinion gears, bearings, carrier, brakes are usually the bigger drums.....

So the only thing that makes the 8.8 stronger is the differential? Since the brakes and bearings are not under stress from the engine and the axles are the same...

Yup, pretty much it....

Are you gonna go bigger tires than stock or stick with stock size?

I got the same setup as you (2.5L 5 speed). I got an 8.8 Ranger rear end when I decided to go to 31's. I ran the 7.5 diff for a while though with the 31's and never really had a problem. I wanted 4.10 gears though and I found a 8.8 L/S rear end on craigslist so I went for it.

If your gonna spend the money I would just try to find a ranger 8.8 with 4.10's and an l/s. It will be a direct swap and will probably be cheaper.

I wouldn't waste the money on the 7.5 but thats just me. But it will be strong enough.

No sir. The Ranger 8.8, at least in my area are double, if not triple the price of a expo 8.8.

I can grab Expo 8.8" with 3.73, 4.10, LSD, open, whatever, all day for 100 beans. Can't touch an open Ranger 8.8 for under $200.

Around here you're paying $100 for open 7.5s...

Now, there are deals to be had, and every now and then I'll come across one for $100 but never at a salvage yard.

I see them at the salvage yard around here and they are somewhere around $100. I got mine on craigslist for $120 with a new clutch pads in it.

Nice. I just found one on CL for $30 beans. I'm going to get.

There ya go. I just had to be patient to find mine on craigslist. I just never found them at the yard when I was ready to get one but as soon as I bought it there were 3 4.10 rear ends there one day.

I think it's funny the time I say its rare and you gotta get lucky I hop on cl and find one. Score.

It is a rare occurrence.

I'd go for the 8.8 but I can never find one. Atleast not a ranger 8.8. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong time lol