Hi All,

Came across the site and just registered and hope to be a part of this awesome community soon. I have a question regarding my 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 3.slow. Ever since I lifted it up and got bigger tires my shift points seem to be all messed up :( It constantly slips when I'm going up hills or trying to get on the gas and I know it's because of the gear ratio being stock still. What would be my best bet gear wise to get a lil more performance out of my ranger and get rid of the nasty slipping and shift points? I would like it to be quick off the line and have good pick up and shift when it's supposed to shift :P

I'm running:
K&N Intake
Flowmaster Exhaust
32' BFG All Terrains (going 33's soon)
2002 Ranger Edge 3.slow

Also, I checked out my rear differential and it seems to be leaking oil a bit. Should I get a new differential, maybe something a little bigger? What would fit best back there?

Any feedback will help and thanks again for your time.

 

What axle do you have the 8.8 or 7.5?

If the 7.5 i would swap for an 8.8.

With the 3.0 and 33" tires, 4.56 gears should do you well.

 

Well I called FORD just to verify my knowledge as I think it was a 7.5. Ford didn't know jack **** about it and transferred me a million times so I sticking with the 7.5. I'm pretty sure that's what I have. As far as swapping it I know the 8.8's come on the 4.0's, where would be the best place to come up on a good differential? Pick your part? I want something in somewhat good condition as my current differential is leaking all over :(

I keep hearing I'll be fine with 4:10's. Should I stick to 4:10's or go 4:56's? Pro's & Conn's?

I look forward to your response.

 

4.10s will work fine with 33s. as for 7.5 or 8.8 definitely go 8.8

 

just make sure you have the 7.5, i have the 3.0 and i have the 8.8, check the axle tag or in the drivers door jam to make sure.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ight=axle+code

use this link to check your code

 

I looked in the door jam and couldn't find the info i was looking for.

I will crawl under the truck when I get home and find out what my axle code is. I still don't understand which number will be the axle code on the differential. I'll post the exact numbers when I get home so I can verify if it's the 7.5 or 8.8.

THanks for all ur help guys.

 

most 3.0s and 4.0s after 03 had 8.8s 01-03 could be a mix match... i doubt he has an 8.8 based on his truck specs

 

My 3.0 2002 Ranger is 4.56 with 35's -- but 4.10 should be fine withe 33's.

The nasty slipping when shifting (automatic) is a design problem with the transmission. You get it the most on the 2-3 shift because two things need to happen at once: the overdrive has to release and the next gear band pick up. 2nd gear is a "made up" gear between the original 4 speed gears 1 and 2 and is obtained by engaging the overdrive on 1st gear thus make in new 2nd gear. The problem is that you have to synch the two operations to get to third and most 5 speeds 5R55 5R44 transmissions have this problem.

Best way to solve it is with a shift improver kit that changes hydraulic flow during that transition.

 

Thanks for the input ne3lz. I really wouldn't mind 4:56's with 35's I just figured 35's would bog down a ranger no matter what cus they are so damn big. Currently I got 7 brand new 32' all terrain bfg's and when i use them up I want to go back to 33's. Will the 4:10's improve my shifting by a longshot or will I have to get a shift kit?

Also I looked at my rear diff. and it said:

v368B
3 73 75 1H09

I'm guessing the 75 means 7.5 and I should upgrade to a 8.8 and 4:10's? And get the shift kit put on my tranny?

 

Can someone confirm if I'm running a 7.5 or 8.8?

v368B
3 73 75 1H09

Also where's the best place to come up on a nice 8.8? Should I buy it brand new?

 

Yeah thats a 7.5 with 3.73 gearing. I would just get a 8.8 from a junkyard. You can get one from a Explorer that has disc brakes, but you have to flip the spring hangers to get it to work right. Its a worthwhile mod tho.

 

What if my back brakes are drum brakes?

 

Your back brakes are drum brakes, thats why you swap in a Explorer 8.8 that has disc brakes.

 

Ahh then flip the spring hangers upside down?

Thanks for your feedback blackedge.

 

I'm all for it, just having trouble finding it. Everywhere I read people are selling 8.8's off explorers and stating they are best for rangers. I want to find an 8.8 with the 4:10's already in it and not just a stock 8.8 from an explorer.

Any good sites to search for this?

 

You can find stock Explorer 8.8 with 4.10s in them, try car-part.com

 

What would I search for? I'm having trouble finding 8.8 4:10 in the california area...

 

where do you get the shift kits at? im needing one really bad...

 

92804

 

Damn thanks a lot man. Do you have the link to the actual differential? Pics?

$400 aint bad, I'll check it out.

 

Nice sounds good, I'm going to call the yard tomorrow and figure out what's up with it, see it they have it still. If so I will need to find someone to swap it for me. I'll keep you guys posted.

Thanks.