'98 ranger rear axle replacement for lift
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
'98 ranger rear axle replacement for lift
Hi everybody,
I have a 1998 ranger 2wd and plans for a road legal baja-ish conversion. I found a long travel kit for the front that I like, although it draws near the end of my budget. The rear suspension is currently leaf springs, and I'd love to convert it to coilover 3-link at the same time as lifting the truck, but I can't seem to find any conversion kits that stay within my budget. I was thinking that I might be able to find another truck with a similar sized axle that would fit that I could find at a scrap yard and just pull the axle and weld brackets on the ranger. I haven't found anything online about anybody ever trying this, and I was wondering if anyone happened to know any trucks with a similar sized axle that I might be able to find? The stock axle is around 51" from end to end without tires or disc brakes. The front long travel kit adds about 1.5 inches on each side, so an axle around 54" would work best. I know that it might be a stupid idea, and even letting me know that it is would be helpful. Also, sorry if some of the stuff in here doesn't make much sense- I'm fairly new to this and some the terms I used may be completely different than what I'm visualizing.
I have a 1998 ranger 2wd and plans for a road legal baja-ish conversion. I found a long travel kit for the front that I like, although it draws near the end of my budget. The rear suspension is currently leaf springs, and I'd love to convert it to coilover 3-link at the same time as lifting the truck, but I can't seem to find any conversion kits that stay within my budget. I was thinking that I might be able to find another truck with a similar sized axle that would fit that I could find at a scrap yard and just pull the axle and weld brackets on the ranger. I haven't found anything online about anybody ever trying this, and I was wondering if anyone happened to know any trucks with a similar sized axle that I might be able to find? The stock axle is around 51" from end to end without tires or disc brakes. The front long travel kit adds about 1.5 inches on each side, so an axle around 54" would work best. I know that it might be a stupid idea, and even letting me know that it is would be helpful. Also, sorry if some of the stuff in here doesn't make much sense- I'm fairly new to this and some the terms I used may be completely different than what I'm visualizing.
Some 8.8" axle widths, these are inside wheel to inside wheel, so lug to lug
From Ranger Station Tech
1990-1992 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle – 56.50 inches
1993-2009 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch Axle – 58.50 inches
2010-2011 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle – 58.50 inches *
1991-2003 Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle – 59.625 inches
1989-1997 Ford Aerostar 8.8-Inch Axle – 62.50 inches
1983-1996 Ford Bronco 8.8-Inch Axle – 65.125 inches
1986-1993 Ford Mustang 8.8-Inch Axle – 59.25 inches
1994-2004 Ford Mustang 8.8-Inch Axle – 61.25 inches
1989-1999 Ford Crown Victoria 8.8-Inch Axle – 62.50 inches
*The 2010-2011 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch axle is actually narrower and has shorter shafts than the 2009 and earlier models.
Ford used rear disc brakes on the 2010-2011 Rangers, so Ford Shortened the axle housing and shafts to compensate for the extra width created by the disc brake setup.
These shafts are not going to work in a 2009 and older Ford Ranger 8.8-inch axle
So your 1998 axle is 58.5"
And you want 3" more, so 1994 to 2004 Mustang is 2.75" more, Aerostar or Crown Vic 4" more
From Ranger Station Tech
1990-1992 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle – 56.50 inches
1993-2009 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch Axle – 58.50 inches
2010-2011 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle – 58.50 inches *
1991-2003 Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle – 59.625 inches
1989-1997 Ford Aerostar 8.8-Inch Axle – 62.50 inches
1983-1996 Ford Bronco 8.8-Inch Axle – 65.125 inches
1986-1993 Ford Mustang 8.8-Inch Axle – 59.25 inches
1994-2004 Ford Mustang 8.8-Inch Axle – 61.25 inches
1989-1999 Ford Crown Victoria 8.8-Inch Axle – 62.50 inches
*The 2010-2011 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch axle is actually narrower and has shorter shafts than the 2009 and earlier models.
Ford used rear disc brakes on the 2010-2011 Rangers, so Ford Shortened the axle housing and shafts to compensate for the extra width created by the disc brake setup.
These shafts are not going to work in a 2009 and older Ford Ranger 8.8-inch axle
So your 1998 axle is 58.5"
And you want 3" more, so 1994 to 2004 Mustang is 2.75" more, Aerostar or Crown Vic 4" more
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