Drivetrain Tech General discussion of drivetrain for the Ford Ranger.

2wd open to LS help please

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Old 03-06-2006
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2wd open to LS help please

Hey guys i have a 2000 2wd 3.0, some someone tell me what spline axels and what gears, and diff I have?

Well anyways, i would like to buy a whole axel assembly with an lsd from an explorer from a junkyard. It does not matter if it is drums or disks, whichever is easier to connect the lines for. My question is what year,model, explorer came with lsd in the rear? And is is a direct replacement. thanks for the help in advance
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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Explorer axles will only have disc brakes I believe. You'll have to cut and reweld the spring perches and the shock mounts. As for your rear axle, look in the door jamb for your rear axle code and then do a search to find the rear axle code chart and see which one you have.
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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Why not just get a late model Ranger 8.8 L/S? It bolts in with way less hassle than the Explorer axle would.

This will help you determine what you have now:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=76
A good one to bookmark.
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
Why not just get a late model Ranger 8.8 L/S? It bolts in with way less hassle than the Explorer axle would.

This will help you determine what you have now:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=76
A good one to bookmark.
very good point, do i have the 8.8 now? which rangers came with the 8.8 ls?
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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ok just figured out i have the 7.5 open diff, so which axel from a ranger would be a direct replacment without any cutting or welding? from that chart i gather that all 7.5 axels are open diff, so would a 8.8 ls bolt right in? also which gears should i be looking for. this truck is my dd and i will be going offroading occasionally, so basically i need decent gas milage with a ls in the rear. thanks guys
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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An 8.8" would bolt in. All you need to do is make sure you get the u-bolts from the 8.8" axle also, as the axle tubes are bigger than the 7.5" axle. You will most likely find an 8.8" axle with L/S in a late-model 4wd ranger. It will also likely have a 4.10 gear ratio.
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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anybody know what years i will find the 8.8" with LS on the 4x4 rangers? also is every 8.8" 4x4 ranger have a rear LS?
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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Originally Posted by Ranger00
anybody know what years i will find the 8.8" with LS on the 4x4 rangers? also is every 8.8" 4x4 ranger have a rear LS?
The L/S was an extra cost option on most Rangers, even most 4x4's. You should take the axle code list from that link I posted when you go junkyarding. There are also instructions in it about identifying an axle that is no longer with the truck.

Be sure that the replacement axle has the same ABS sensor on top it as your current axle. Without it, you will have a permanent ABS light and your speedometer won't work. Anything 98~2000 will have the same sensor as yours. 2001-on will also have an ABS sensor but I don't know for sure if it is the same. Or you may be able to swap your sensor over to a newer axle. You'll need to do the research on that.

Watch out for accident damage and look for a low miles unit. Higher miles Traction-Lok L/S diffs are more likely to need a rebuild.
 
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Old 03-06-2006
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no, there is no specific year or truck combination that will give you a L/S or not. go to a yard and get an 8.8 from a RANGER between 93-05 that has 4.10s (best gear ratio with your 31s) and a L/S. you can tell what an axle has by the little tag bolted on with the diff cover. it will have a bunch of random numbers on it, look for a 4L10, that will be a L/S unit with 4.10s, the L in that number designates that its a L/S. unless it is from an FX4 Level 2 you can use the same u-bolts and plates that are on your 7.5 now. the FX4 Level 2 axle tubes are larger because they have 31-spline axle shafts instead of the 28-spline shafts that the 7.5 and most 8.8s have.


edit, as for the ABS, any 93-05 7.5 or 8.8 will have the same ABS sensor and tone ring inside the axle, so again, find an 8.8 from 93-05 with an axle tag with the code 4L10 on it and you will be very happy with a bolt in option, the newer you find the axle the better as there will be less worn parts in it. I got an '02 and it still had brand new brakes on it even.
 
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Old 03-07-2006
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thanks a lot guy im gonnaa go searching this weekend, can someone tell me what i should be expecting to pay for the whole axel assembly?
 
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Old 03-07-2006
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all depends where you live and what they want for parts, some people find em for 100, some cant get em under 500. good luck to ya.
 
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