Hi,

92' Ford Ranger XLT with 2.9 V6. I am swapping out my complete rear axle assembly with 7.5 and 4.10 axle ratio, with an 8.8 and 3.73 axle ratio. I already thoroughly researched this. But there are a couple final concerns I would like to get a second opinion on.

1. I will have the 7.5 and 4.10 axle ratio for the front axle, with the 8.8 and 3.73 in the rear. I am told that if I ever run 4WD, it will do a lot of damage because of the different ring gear and axle ratios from front to rear. My 4WD shift motor has been broke for years and I have no plans to fix it. As long as I never engage the 4WD, am I ok to drive in 2WD with the mismatched front and rear axles?

The 8.8 I am looking at will be a finished, remanufactured complete rear axle assembly.

2. Also I notice the combined axle length with the 28-spline 8.8, is 2 inches longer than my current 7.5 combined axle length. Will this offset the leaf spring and shock absorber mounting positions
resulting in mounting alignment issues?

 

I don't know if you will have issues swapping the 7.5 axle to the 8.8, but you can easily measure the distance between the leaf perches on each to check that they'll line up for install.
As for the front gear ratio, if you're already set on giving up 4wd then just take out the front driveshaft. Less vibration and no gear ratio issues.

 

I am told there will be no issues with mounting alignment for leaf spring perches, shock absorbers, and stabilizer bar. I just wanted a second opinion. I can't measure because I would have to pay for the assembly first and have it shipped.

What about mating the driveshaft flange and axle companion flange (or pinion flange)? If any issues with that.......is it just a matter of using spacers or using a different driveshaft flange yoke to make it work?

 

Flanges look the same, I don't think there's a difference in length between transfer case flange and rear axle flange between the 7.5 and 8.8 axles.

 

Thanks Mud,

I guess I won't know till I do it. I've been told I might have issues with mating the two flanges. But I heard there is always a solution.....whatever that may be.

 

Remanufactured rear axle assembly is completely reinstalled. I've been working on this by myself all week. I think all I have left is brakes and bleed,

My vehicle is 92' Ranger. But this rear end is for 1999-2009 Ford Ranger. The axle housing is supposed to come filled with gear oil.
I don't know if it is conventional or limited slip. So I bought some 80W-90 gear oil because it can be used for conventional or limited slip.

This reman axle assembly is 8.8 with 4.10 gear ratio

Will this be acceptable? If it needs friction modifier, is it likely the manufacturer already added it?

Oh.....I discovered this yesterday. Someone at the factory wrote '4.10 N' on the axle housing. Does this tell me if it is conventional or limited slip?

Normally I would just ask the manufacturer about gear oil. But there is a long wait time when calling them on the phone

 

The manufacturer called me back. This is what he said:

This is a conventional axle
Run it through gear changes gently with rear wheels on jack stands to distribute the gear oil to the wheel bearings
Then top off with 80W-90 gear oil as needed

 

I believe all I have left to do is bleed brakes and top off gear oil in axle housing.

 

This rear axle assembly replacement is successful. No less than 4 different abnormal drive line sounds disappeared with the new axle assembly. Thanks.