8.8 axle swap?

[O No 3.0!]

Ive been searching the local pull a part for an 8.8 l/s 4.10 axle for awhile & today i finally found one. Problem is somebody pulled the pass side axle out already. What other 8.8 axle will fit? Explorer? Sport track? This one is the only ranger 8.8 ive found, so im going to buy it, just wondering if i can get an axle to go with it while im there.

 

[RonD]

The left and right axles are different lengths, both both 28-spline
So you need the right axle from any Ranger or Mazda B-series, 1993-2009, 8.8", open or L/S or ratio doesn't matter

Explorers are 31-spline and longer, Ranger Level II are also 31-spline

 

[O No 3.0!]

I know what i need, i was just wondering if there were somewhere else to get it. Because rangers with an 8.8 are kinda rare in the pull a part, & i don't want to have to buy a new one, that would probably cost as much as the whole rear.

 

[Shran]

If it's a 28 spline 8.8, there is zero reason to swap one in. Way better to find one from an Explorer. Bigger shafts, bigger tubes, 10" drums or discs for sure.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm pretty sure (Life has gotten in the way the last few years, I've forgotten some things) the axle shafts between the 28 spline 7.5" and 8.8" are the same on Rangers so what you already have should work or find another shaft in the yard so you buy a complete axle...

And Shran, it's a 3.0L auto, 28 spline is probably fine, if 4x4 I would agree though, low range can be mean on things...

 

[RonD]

Yes, thats true, the 1993-2009 Ranger 7.5" and 8.8" used the same axles: spline, diameter and length per side
So if you have a 7.5" now you have an axle that will work in the 8.8"

 

[Shran]

And Shran, it's a 3.0L auto, 28 spline is probably fine, if 4x4 I would agree though, low range can be mean on things...

Yeah, he could be running toothpicks for axle shafts and be fine... 7.5s are very durable in a more or less stock vehicle. My only point was that there is no real good reason to swap from a 7.5 to a 28 spline 8.8 unless you have it laying around and your 7.5 is broken. You really gain nothing.

 

[RonD]

I think he was after Limited Slip

 

[scotts90ranger]

and the 4.10... even the $200 yards charge (it's been a while for me, I bought one for $100 on a 50% off weekend a few years ago but I think some are $300 but still...) is way cheaper than installing $200 gears if you have to pay someone to do it... I swapped a 7.5" for a 7.5" back in the day to go from 3.08 gears to 3.73...

 

[O No 3.0!]

Yes my 7.5 is broken. It is a l/s 3.73 gear. I plan in putting 15" or larger wheels & tires on it when the 14's i have now wear out, so i want to have the 4.10 to keep the same or lower gearing. The rear im looking at getting is an 8.8 with a 4.10 & l/s. (R7 code on tag) . it has the 10" drums as well. All the 7.5 rears ive looked at have open diffs & if im going to swap mine out, its getting upgraded. Its the same price for either one. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Shran]

Do it to it!

 

[don4331]

Assumption: This is going in your '97.

Your existing 7.5" has a 102 tooth tone ring; the 8.8" will have a 108 tooth so read about 6% fast. Not an issue if you install tires 6% larger at same time though.

For what its worth, the 9.75" has a 120 tooth tone ring.

 

[O No 3.0!]

What will read 6% fast? Speedo or abs? Or both?

 

[RonD]

ABS doesn't use "speed" it just watches "pulses per second", if there is a sudden drop, i.e. wheel stops turning, it activates and lowers pressure going to the brakes of that wheel

Speedo/odo uses Pulses per Mile(PPM)
If there is 102 teeth on a tone ring then there would be 102 pulses per axle rotation, then using a tire's Revolutions Per Mile(RPM) you can calculate PPM

This is what 1998 and up Rangers did, via GEM module or Computer, each used "known" 1 revolution pulse count + "known" tire PPM to get the calculated speed/distance to display on speedometer/odometer
If you change either of the "known" data then you have to change it in the calculator as well, or compensate for it

1997 and earlier still used the gear drive type setup so you could just change the driven gear's tooth count to compensate for changes in ratios or tire diameter

 

[scotts90ranger]

None of my '97 vehicles have a speedo cable and I have 3, 2 are RBV's... I've heard it's a a mid '96 thing, but yes to everything else