I searched and got lot of SAS Threads, read for awhile but did not come up with an answer.
I am looking for the width of a Stock height Ranger Front End ?

OK why, I am THINKING on an SAS for my ’03 Ranger, again THINKING !
I can get a TJ Axle, D44, 4.56 (33s), OX Locker, 33 splines, Chromo Axle Moser, it has D60 outer knuckles, Warn Hubs, Wilwood Disc Brakes; that's what got me thinking more seriously.

I guess the second question should be "Will a Jeep TJ Front Axle work in the 03 for a SAS” ?

if interested the rear will be a 8.8 LvL II Hsg, Ox Locker, 4.56 gears for the 33s I will be running.

My next question will be "can I only lift it 4-5”s” ?
Funny but I want it to look as close to the way it is now but still be trail worthy !

Anyway, thks for any info and I have read a lot of the stuff, i know it is a lot of work but I am only thinking.

 

As long as the mounts are still factory the Rubicon D44 out of the TJs is the same as all the other D30 Jeep axles except 99+ Grand Cherokees. You would still have the coils bowed inwards like I have seen with some of the D30 swaps, but if you have the $$ for that axle setup some coilovers would be sick. As long as the WMS (wheel mount surface) width of the custom D44 is still the same as a factory axle it should be 5/8s of an inch narrower per side than a factory Ford Explorer 8.8. I am assuming that an Explorer 8.8 is the same width as a Ranger 8.8. Hope that helps, still learning the Ranger side but I know most everything about Jeeps.

 

Lets see if I have this straight… all D44 frt Jeep axles are the same, old and new… ?

i.e. Wagoneer frt D44 (the one that some use) and the TJs frt D44 are the same width ?

and it is 1.25” narrower than the Explorer rear Axle ?

Also, the cost of that axle is not too much, almost a gift and the Ranger is already setup for Coil-Overs but might need a little reinforcing and longer shocks.

Thks for the info, the SAS is sounding better all the time.

Engine first then the axle.

 

No, the Waggy axles are completely different and are basically the same as all other D44s (fullsize). When Jeep made the Rubicons (TJ D44) they basically put a D44 center section into a normal D30 Jeep front end. The TJ 44 stock had a D44 ring and pinion, 30 spline inner shafts but had the D30s 27 spline outer shafts and weaker ball joints. Remember that the Rubicon TJ was the only Jeep to get a front D44 in the US since the Wagoneer left production.
The Newer Rubicons JKs have a all new axle that is a lot better than the TJ 44, and even stronger than regular D44 axles. Their only down side is the 5x5 bolt pattern and the axle tubes need to be braced.
Now the axle you are looking at is actually really nice. The OX has the bigger 33 spline shafts. The outer shafts should be 35 spline but could be 30 spline. Is the axle 5x4.5 bolt pattern with custom hubs? I am interested in more info on the whole outer assembly. If you can get a decent price on those axles, go for it. I would say they are worth somewhere around $3500 together. To the right person they would be worth even more.
Also does the 8.8 have 33 spline shafts now?

 

8.8 has 31 spline.
33" tires

I got the frt axle... But is not a TJ...
It is a D44 Ford high.pinion cut down to TJ widh and set up for four link; everything else is the same.
5 x 5 bolt pattern.

This axle should be a little narrow for the Ranger but should work ok ?

 

If it was set up for a TJ then the only problem I foresee is mounting the coilovers far enough out so they don't come in contact with the frame rails. Makes a lot more sense that the D44 is an older high pinion model.
Do you know what kind of hubs/spindle setup the axle has? Should be 5x5.5 bolt pattern. Also do you know if it is a kingpin or balljoint knuckles?

 

bumping just to keep track of the post

 

The Warn Manual Hubs along with the Knuckles, spindles were grafted from an F-350 w/ball joints.
The ball joints can't be too bad, made for an F-350... Using on a Ranger.

 

The ball joint F350s aren't bad at all. Especially for something the size of a ranger on smaller tires. I was just curious because the king pin setup has better high steer options, and is stronger. I was mainly curious on which route they took to convert the axle to 5x5.5 bolt pattern.

 

The 44 is wide enough. That shouldn't be a problem. The D30 is where the problems come in with not being wide enough.

 

But we are talking about a D44 that has been narrowed to the same width as a D30.

 

You have to cut about half an inch into the frame for a TJ D44 or D30 to word without bowing the coils. Outside of that the actual axle is wider than the rear 8.8" like it is on all other vehicles. Wagoneer D44 would get my pick over a TJ D44 since it has real axle tubes and outers. If you go 1 ton the stock spring perch with is perfect for mine already being cut into the frame it is what my coil buckets are mounted to.

 

I have not even measured the width of this D44, will have to do that first, then try to get a frame width measurement and then the 8.8 rear and compare.

Thks for all of the input.

Let me clarify a little, this D44 was build to TJ Specs but mounted in a YJ with 4-link.
i was told is was 3” wider than the YJ front end but not sure if that is stk TJ or wider than a TJ.
Again, time to measure and get it together.

 

The YJ was the same width as the TJ. Axles are usually measured by WMS to WMS. If it is three inches wider the axle should be a great setup and should be around 64" WMS-WMS.

 

thks