`03 Ranger axles....

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Mar 18, 2003 | 08:16 PM

alwaysfords

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`03 Ranger axles....

Greetings everyone! Just got a new Ranger and want to know everything about it. Hope you can help or direct me to someone who can. First thing on my mind is the axles. What kind are they? (Dana 35 fr. Ford 7.5 rr.?) All I know about them is that they have 4.10 gears and the rear has a torsen diff. Also, when I switch to 2WD do the axles disengage from the wheels (i.e. do the driveline and axles quit turning)?

Thanks,

alwaysfords

`03 Ranger FX4 Level2
`79 F-250
`68 Bronco

Mar 19, 2003 | 02:10 AM

brianjwilson

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`03 Ranger axles....

Congrats on the new truck. Not sure if it's a Dana 35 or not, rear should be an 8.8. From what I understand, the 2001 and newer Rangers have a live axle setup. Instead of having hubs that disengage the front drivetrain, it is always turning with the front wheels. When you switch into 4x4, all it does is engage the transfer case, the rest is already done... (somebody else correct me if I'm wrong)

Brian J Wilson

Mar 19, 2003 | 02:41 AM

Rand

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From: northeastern ohio

`03 Ranger axles....

the fx4 level 2 has a shortened version of the explorer 8.8 axle
which is about 35% stronger than the regular 28 spline 8.8 axle.
the front if im not mistaken is some sort of hybrid d35.

Rand

Mar 19, 2003 | 07:42 AM

WXboy

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From: Central KY

`03 Ranger axles....

On mine, the front diff. is permanently connected to the driveline. When you switch into 4x4, the hubs are actuated by a vacuum system, and the transfer case engages like they always have. I thought all 1998-2003 Rangers were the same as far as this system goes, but I could be wrong.

Mar 19, 2003 | 01:27 PM

Rand

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From: northeastern ohio

`03 Ranger axles....

nope the newer rangers 2001+(i think) have live axle.
Which means NO HUBs either. Just the switch at the transfer case.

Rand

Mar 19, 2003 | 01:45 PM

WXboy

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From: Central KY

`03 Ranger axles....

So does that mean the front driveshaft on '01 models spins all the time then? Because it would seem that a system like that would cause a lot of vibration. Or do the new Rangers disconnect at the front diff. in 2-wheel drive?