i just recently bought my 97 ranger splash extended cab for 800 dollars. the reason so cheap is the previous owner put a different rear end in it out of a mazda b series 4x4, my truck is 2wd it doesnt make sense to me but any way when im on the highway the speedo is off by like 30 mph and the engine is running at a high rpm and im barely keepin up with traffic. what do i need to do to fix this? this is my first encounter with such a problem any help would be great. thanks

 

First thing is to check for a sticker on the driver's side door post. If there is one,look for an axle code and post it here.Not the tag (if there even is one) on the axle itself.
While waiting for a reply, check the surrounding junkyards for a good price on a used axle assembly.
It may be cheaper to just swap the entire rear than to regear.

 

You computer can be flashed by the ford garage to correct the speedometer...

 

yeah i know the computer can be reflashed to change the speedo but i dont think that would change the engine rpms and thats more what im worried about. and i will get that axle code asap and post it up thanks for the help guys. oh and i also have the old rear end but it needs new bearings i was told

 

Sounds like a gearing issue.

 

it sounds like the previous owner put an axle with 4.10s or 4.56 for better off the line performance. those are normally for larger tires which would explain the swap from a 4x4.

what are your rpm's at 60mph? also what motor is in it?

ken, how would the door code help if the previous owner swapped axles. it would be the wrong code. he would need the code off the axle and if it wasn't there, he'd have to raise the rear, rotate tires and count rotations.

 

The original axle model and gearing would be in the code.
That will help narrow down what belongs in the truck if he decides to re-gear.