Interesting discovery - Ranger/Explorer 8.8" - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Paul Gagnon · 12-13-2003, 04:17 PM

Last weekend I helped a friend swap my old '92 Explorer 8.8" rearend into his '93 Ranger. Strangely enough the Explorer axle turns out to be one inch wider than the Ranger axle. I had always assumed they were the same width.

4x4junkie · 12-13-2003, 04:32 PM

Yep

'83-'92 Ranger rears = 56.5" wide
'93-current Ranger rears = 58.5" wide,
'90-'01 Explorer rears = 59.5" wide.

demonranger · 12-15-2003, 06:58 AM

yep they came from the factory with a different offset wheel to compensate for the axle difference by about 3/4 inch if I remember right... just got done doing the same thing to mine.

As has already been pointed out the disc brake versions from the explorer are even wider.

for further info look@ www.therangerstation.com

OffRoadPoser · 12-15-2003, 03:18 PM

B-II axles are wider than Ranger axles too. At least the '86 7.5 was wider than the '85 Ranger 7.5 we tried to put the shaft in.

Paul Gagnon · 12-15-2003, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonranger
As has already been pointed out the disc brake versions from the explorer are even wider.

I'm not sure about that one. When I swapped a disc brake axle into my Explorer there wasn't any difference in width.

Also your idea about the wheel offset isn't right either.

Prerunner · 12-24-2003, 02:38 AM

Paul, when swapping the explorer 8.8 into a ranger, you obviously have to weld on new spring perches...but is there any other modifications that have to be made? Does the E-Brake connect up okay? thanks.

wilber · 12-27-2003, 07:27 PM

b2 and ranger axles are different, one has a centered diff, the b2 i think, and the ranger has a offset diff to compensate for the gas tank, thats why you wouldnt be able to swap shafts

Paul Gagnon · 12-28-2003, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prerunner
Paul, when swapping the explorer 8.8 into a ranger, you obviously have to weld on new spring perches...but is there any other modifications that have to be made? Does the E-Brake connect up okay? thanks.

You will need to weld on spring perches and shock mounts. The brake hard lines are bent a little different but you can swap the Ranger ones onto the Exporer axle easily. There are a couple of different styles of drum parking brake cables for Rangers. They are easy to change so if the one that is on the Explorer axle doesn't work just put your old Ranger cables on. Disc brake axles require changing the hard lines and cables(from the first cab mount back). They are not interchangable with the drum brake parts.

demonranger · 12-30-2003, 12:19 PM

I stand corrected the disc brake version of the explorer 8.8 is the same width as the drum brake version.

12-13-2003, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul Gagnon Poseur SUV Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 610 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? Posts: 9,934 Blog Entries: 6	Interesting discovery - Ranger/Explorer 8.8" Last weekend I helped a friend swap my old '92 Explorer 8.8" rearend into his '93 Ranger. Strangely enough the Explorer axle turns out to be one inch wider than the Ranger axle. I had always assumed they were the same width. __________________ Paul Gagnon Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? "No Brain, No Pain" Last edited by Paul Gagnon; 12-13-2003 at 04:36 PM.

12-13-2003, 04:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
4x4junkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10063 Location: So.Calif (San Fernando Valley) Posts: 1,757	Yep '83-'92 Ranger rears = 56.5" wide '93-current Ranger rears = 58.5" wide, '90-'01 Explorer rears = 59.5" wide. __________________ '90 Bronco II, 2.9L, Dual T-case, 5.13s, 35x12.50s [url]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/702959[/url]

12-15-2003, 06:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
demonranger Rock God Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 18283 Location: Florida Posts: 1,285	yep they came from the factory with a different offset wheel to compensate for the axle difference by about 3/4 inch if I remember right... just got done doing the same thing to mine. As has already been pointed out the disc brake versions from the explorer are even wider. for further info look@ www.therangerstation.com __________________ There are no rules. You have to think!

12-15-2003, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
OffRoadPoser Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11804 Location: My militia compound Posts: 158	B-II axles are wider than Ranger axles too. At least the '86 7.5 was wider than the '85 Ranger 7.5 we tried to put the shaft in. __________________ Radoje Spasojevic "Nerves of Chicken, Brains of Chipmunk" --300M sucks, I use Super Impacto!!! ***************************** "Your service was more than prompt. Your product is more than welcome since I both vomit unpredictably and am incontinent - thank you SO much. C.E. 4/8/03 "

12-30-2003, 12:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
demonranger Rock God Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 18283 Location: Florida Posts: 1,285	I stand corrected the disc brake version of the explorer 8.8 is the same width as the drum brake version. __________________ There are no rules. You have to think!

12-24-2003, 02:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Prerunner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2285 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 59	Paul, when swapping the explorer 8.8 into a ranger, you obviously have to weld on new spring perches...but is there any other modifications that have to be made? Does the E-Brake connect up okay? thanks.

12-27-2003, 07:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
wilber Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6237 Location: parma, ohio Posts: 212	b2 and ranger axles are different, one has a centered diff, the b2 i think, and the ranger has a offset diff to compensate for the gas tank, thats why you wouldnt be able to swap shafts

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