planning on swapping in an expo 8.8. if i get one with 4.10's will the same front end stiff into the rangers?

 

The front is the same if its a 95-99(2000?). Basically when they switched to the 4.6 V8 the diff changed.

It should look like this:

 

in short no dice for a 2k2

 

I'm going to say no. I believe the suspension changed but I'm not sure exactly what did if anything changed. I think it went wider.

 

its just random thought i had while on vacation.

 

2002 is when the Explorer changed, but so did the rear axle at that time. So if you pull the 8.8 from any 97-01 Explorer and it has 4.10 gears then you can use the front diff in your truck too. The 97-01 Explorer front diff is physically the same as the 98-09 Ranger diff.

 

I think there is a slight difference in the mounting brackets but they can be swapped.
The 95-96 is similar but I think there is an addition disconnect or something weird in the front axle. I forget exactly what it is now though.

 

Yea, the mounting bracket that would be a problem just bolts to the diff housing. You can bolt the Ranger one up and be good.

I agree with the 95-96, they may work, but I would just go with a later one and not chance there being something funky in it.

 

I have a 2003 Sport Trac front axle in my truck right meow....

 

ha, i have a 97 mountaineer axle in my trac

 

And I had a standard Explorer axle in my Sport Trac...

 

Not as exotic but I have a 2002 Ranger axle in my 1999.

 

so let me get this straight if i was going to get an expo front axle it would have to be from a 97-01 or would the 02 and up work too just change a bracket?

 

97-01 and maybe 95 and 96. Just stay with 97-01. That's it.

 

02+ will not work. They changed the body style of the Explorer to a non-RBV.

 

ok got ya i was going to go get one this weekend

 

but 02-05 explorer sport and sport trac models will work

 

Correct^

 

Touche.

 

I know this is an old thread but is this true, these years will fit an ’03 ranger ?
I thought the Explorer, the Ex Sport and Sport Trac were all the same.

 

01-05 sport trac will work, 97-01 Explorer (again some 95-96 may work), and the 2 door explorer sport should work. The mounting bracket may not be the same but you can re-use yours. As Shane stated, he is running the front diff from my 05 sport trac, and my sport trac was running a diff from a four door explorer.

 

Funny how Ford mixes things up.
i will have to look for something at the JY but few Sport Trac in there.
thanks

 

the diff I used ion my 04 trac is from a 97 explorer 4door

just had to fab a new mount for the shorter axle bracket

 

OK good info.
The JY by me has a low milage Ex Sport, I think an ’01, that should work as far as the info goes.
I might just pick it up so I can set up both the Lvl II 8.8 and the D35 before the axle swap happens.

Are there any HD Front Diffs that work in an ’03 Ranger app., say a Frt Diff out of an F150 ?

 

Nope, f150 diff is way too wide. I think i took measurements for someone else.