7.5 to 8.8 (non explorer) upgrade...

[four100d]

Hey guys... I recently bought a 8.8 4.10 LS and am currently having someone install 4.56 gears in it. The 8.8 was out of a 2003 Ranger, and I'm swapping it with the 7.5 that's in my 95 Ranger.

Are there any problems I'll run in to? Is it a direct swap, or will I have issues with brake line fittings, e-brake cable, drive shaft, etc.???

Any help or advice will be appreciated...

 

[88_Eddie]

a few things....

-the ranger 8.8 and the your old 7.5 are gonna have the same diameter axle shafts. the only real strength you'll be gaining is from the 8.8 ring gear and spiders.

-both axles are sprung over and i think the frame widths are the same, so you should be fine there. only the EX 8.8's are sprung under

-the driveshaft from the 7.5 will not bolt up to the pinion flange on the 8.8. you can drill holes into the 8.8 pinion flange or get an 8.8 driveshaft and hook it up

read through the tech library articles, they should give you some more good info.

 

[Hahnsb2]

a few things....

-the ranger 8.8 and the your old 7.5 are gonna have the same diameter axle shafts. the only real strength you'll be gaining is from the 8.8 ring gear and spiders.

The shafts really wern't the weak spot in the 7.5 anyways.

-the driveshaft from the 7.5 will not bolt up to the pinion flange on the 8.8. you can drill holes into the 8.8 pinion flange or get an 8.8 driveshaft and hook it up

Wrong. All 90+ 7.5s and 8.8s use the large pattern flange.

 

[four100d]

Thanks for the replies guys...

What about the U-Bolts? Will my 7.5 U-bolts and brackets work?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Yes they will, the tubes are the same for the 7.5 and 28 spline 8.8.

 

[four100d]

That's great! I thought I was going to have to go to Pick & Pull in the morning... Now I think the only thing I will have trouble with is the Brake line fittings that go into the wheel cylinders.

The 9" brake cylinders have a different fitting hole/size than the 10" brakes.

Thanks!

 

[four100d]

Well, I got the 8.8 installed! The only thing I haven't finished yet are the brake lines and speedo gear, and I'll do that in the morning. I shouldn't have taken the chance, but I had to, I clamped off the rear brake lines, and took it for a test drive. I like it way better than the 3.73 gears with the 31" tires. I'm glad I didn't stick with the 4.10's that were in the 8.8 when I bought it, there wouldn't have been much difference from the 3.73's...

The only things that are not compatible with my old 7.5 are the brakes, brake parts and brake line fittings going into the wheel cylinders...

Thanks again...

 

[four100d]

Update:

Well, I got everything done except I don't have the right gear for the speedometer. Does anyone make a 22 tooth gear for the manual transmissions? I put a 21 tooth in, but it's still about 3 mph off...

I also wanted to let anyone know that may be reading this thread, that the rear brake hose is the same for the 95 and the 2003 rangers, and the 2003 8.8 10" wheel cylinders have the same brake line fitting diameter as the brake hose, so I didn't have to get any adapters or anything. I just bought some standard brake lines w/fittings at Autozone. It's funny, the 7.5 9" wheel cylinders on my 95 had a bigger fitting size than the 10" wheel cylinders.

The only thing I had to swap out was the ABS sensor. They were made different, but it was an easy swap. I just took the one out of the 7.5 axle and put it into the 8.8...

Also, to anyone with a 2.3, 3.73 gears and 31" tires that are thinking of upgrading your gears, definitely go for the 4.56 over the 4.10's. My rpm's in 5th/overdrive at 55 are around 2200 and a little over 2600 rpm's at 65, so it's not like the 4.56 gears are winding the engine out. But the 4.56's did make a pretty good difference, for comparison, with the 3.73's my rpm's in 5th/overdrive at 55 were around 1800, and between 2100 and 2200 rpm's at 65. (Note: I checked my speed with my GPS.)

I almost wish I had went with 4.88's instead because going from 3.73's to 4.56's wasn't the HUGE jump I was thinking it would be (though it was a substantial change) and if I ever decide to go with 33" tires, the 4.88 would be better in my opinion.

My truck definitely has more pep now, it's easier on take off, and it's not like 1st gear is a granny gear. With my setup the 4.56 are just a little over what the stock ratio's were when I got the truck.

 

[Reno Sean]

What are the widths for different year 8.8's (Rangers/Explorers)? Tks.!

 

[Mac]

What are the widths for different year 8.8's (Rangers/Explorers)? Tks.!

Welcome! See you're new so you had best cruse thru the great tech library up top, all kinds of good info there. You wouldn't happen to be related to Sean Reno at one of the Mustang sites?
Good chart from up top. It tells which axle is bigger than otheres but has no starting reference dimension. Think the '93' and newer are at 54" flange to flange.
What Comes With What?

8.8 Users:
Ranger 4.0
1990-1992
Width is same as other pre-93 axles, 28 spline
3.08 (4x2), 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10 (4x4) factory ratios
Either limited slip or open differential
10" drum brakes

Ranger 4.0
B4000
1993+
1994+
Width is same as other 93+ axles (1.5" wider than pre 93), 28 spline
Ratios and differential options as noted above

Ranger FX4
2002+
Width is same as other 93+ axles, 31 spline
4.10's and Torsen limited slip from factory

Explorer
Navajo
1990-1994
Width is 1.5" wider than 93+ Ranger, 3" wider than pre-93, 31 spline
Spring perches must be fabricated and welded on top
Stock spring perches can be used to lower the truck (like a flip kit)
Shock mounts must be fabricated and welded on
Very common to find ltd. Slip, usually 3.73 or 4.10 (4x4) gears

Explorer
Mountaineer
1995-2001
Same as above, also has rear discs