So I have to get a new rear end for my truck (2004 3.0L 2wd ranger) and I wanna get the explorer rear end so I can have rear disc. So my question is what year should I get and does it matter if I run a 4x4 or 4x2? And what axle ratio?

 

The rear end won't matter about 4x4 or 4x2.
The year shouldn't matter, i think all Expo axles are 8.8's and since your 2wd, it won't matter what gear ratio you get, but it could be EITHER 3.73 or 4.10.

 

all expos are 8.8 and i can run anything from 3.55 to the 4.10

 

You could run 3.55's but expos only came in 3.73s & 4.10s

 

nope, older ones with dums had 3.55's. buddy bought one for a project prerunner he was/is doing.

however you can check the door tag and get the axle code, then use the trs guide and figure out the ratio...or match axle codes off the doner rig.

 

i saw like 4 or 5 at the junk yard with 3.55 and 3.73's with either discs or drums.

 

Yeah I think imma go with the 3.73 (some what ok gas mileage) so and I want posi and disc so

 

when you look at the door code or on the tag on the diff-itll say for example 3 73
if it says 3L73
then its limited slip

for posi-im not sure any of them came with posi trac-i think thats a chevy thing
i believe ford came with limited slip or traction lok

 

You can get a Trac-loc installed.
Or you can find one with Limited slip. i don't think its too hard to find.

 

Yeah i met limited slip not posi haha

 

And limited slips are everywhere

 

yea there pretty popular in the explorher

 

i've got an ex axle in my truck. 3.27 l/s straight out of the jy. tag even says it. according to car-part.com, there are 4 different ratios. 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, and 4.10s

to the op, 95-01 would the the range to pull from. don't forget, unless you have new perches welded on, bolting the explorer axle in will net a 4-5" drop in the rear. rangers mount spring over axle, explorers mount spring under axle.

 

Yeah I knew that it would drop it some I didnt know it was that hard of a drop

 

hey guys im from new hudson MI and i was curious because A.) i could have sworn my springs were mounted on the bottom, does that mean my truck was played with before i got it? and B.) i want to switch rear ends as well so are there any actual 8.8" limited slip ranger rear ends locally? i would love to keep it as stock as possible

 

If your truck is spring under, then someone before you has either replaced the axle or has done a spring under conversion.

 

I thought that was an odd set up lol thank you, i know i said i want to stay stock but is it worth it to switch to an explorer axle if i do an axle swap?

 

You may already have one.
are your rear brakes Disc, or Drum?

 

its a 7.5" 3.73 open rear end with drum

 

look for a "u" shaped bracket between the leaf springs and the axle. that would be a flip kit. or better yet post up some pics.

 

apparently im smoking crack the springs are over SORRY however it is a 7.5" 3.73 open rear with drum so is it worth it to switch over to the explorer axle? or is that just what is commonly available

 

If you're running oversized tires, or you just want disc brakes and/or limited slip, then yes. My last 7.5" rear end gave up on me and slipped out an axle shaft. I don't think it liked burnouts with those 33's too much. :( I have a 7.5" in my truck now, but I take it easy on it.

ETA: About two years ago, I used to come off campus every day smoking my tires on my way to work. Not only did I wind up tearing up my rear end, but I wore out my tires wayyy before it was time for them to go. Lesson was learned.

 

ah yes i did the same thing in my firebird but boy was it fun lol, ok i dont really care if it has disc brakes but i was looking for the limited slip mostly and why dont you swap your 7.5 out for an 8.8 from what i read that was the thing to do, no?

 

I have an 8.8 already, but I'm not putting it in until the weather warms up.