Hey all ,
just hoping too get a little input from the ranks about mods to a 7.5" diff ..
let me explain how and where i use my pick up .. current suspension mods are camburg 5.5 & 4x4 rear springs w/ 2" blocks .. 15x8 rims, w/ 31x10.5x15 tires..
my trucks use is 70 % street and 30% off road.. the off roading i do is forest fire roads and open country roads ..
the open-diff w/3.73 rear end sucks ...
my question is what type of limited slip diff will best work for my truck and my wallet ? has anyone used a ford motorsports diff ? i've thought out the gear i'd like to run will be a 4.56 >... so any input or leads on where to maybe get a quality used diff would be appricated. ...
thanks for your help and time..
mahalo all

 

Personally I would swap out the 7.5" rear for an 8.8"... not only is the ring gear diameter larger, you also get bigger axleshafts and a stronger housing. The 8.8 Ford has excellent aftermarket support, they were found in all 4.0 V6 powered Rangers. If you don't plan on going over a 31" tire the 7.5" will probably hold up okay. If you are looking for a limited slip differential, I would highly recommend the Detroit True Trac. It doesn't require the special friction modifier lube additives like most cone and clutch type limited slips. It's a helical gear type unit, they bite hard but still have decent road manners. I know several people who run them in their daily driven trucks and love em.
John

 

I'd just put in an 8.8 and be done with it. That's what I run in all of our mudbogging cherokees and BroncoII's.

 

Hey guys thanks for your time and help... sounds pretty cut and dried, " put in a 8.8 and be done with it ! " ok then, off to the local j/yard, craigs list and see the local guru... again, thanks all.. have a great day !
Mahalo, Ray

 

Only if you swap to the 8.8 Explorer rear end will you get the bigger axles, 31 spline vs the 28. Both the 7.5 and 8.8 Ranger rears share everything but the ring and pinion. Using the stronger Explorer requires some welding to relocate the spring perches. If your truck is a '93'+, the Ranger 8.8 will bolt right in.
Dave

 

The 8.8 is a lot wider than the 7.5 so keep that in mind...

Josh

 

I just looked at his profile and he has a 2000. Any 8.8 Ranger from '93' on is exactly the same width and a drop in/bolt in job. It's the Explorers that are 1 1/2" wider and with proper back spacing, hard to notice with them big tires he's running.
Dave

 

Yep, the "normal" 8.8 uses the same axle shafts and bearings as the 7.5. I have swapped 7.5 axles into small axle 8.8's many times.
It's the 31 spline units that use the larger axles/bearings. They also tend to be a bit longer....

Only the 31 spline units. The 28 spline units share many pieces, and have the same width.

Using the same back spacing wheels, it's a bit noticable, but no big deal. Few people would look close enough to see it.
Using different back spacing wheels can correct for this, but complicates the process of buying wheels, and getting tires mounted at a shop, not to mention trying to rotate tires for best treadwear/lifespan.

Neither are ideal, but it's just a matter of choice.


The 7.5 isn't as stout as the 8.8, but it's a decent axle for *typical* service. It also doesn't have quite the aftermarket support for improvements that the 8.8 has.
Bigger tires are harder on the axleshafts, which is partly why the Explorer 31 spline unit is such a popular upgrade. The disc brakes available on later model Explorers also accounts for many of the swaps to be performed.
I have heard that a few Rangers were built using the 31 spline axles, but they are few and far between. Finding a used unit is rather difficult, when you're trying to. Most are stumbled onto by accident, when someone just needs to replace a complete axle assembly, and possess the hidden power of massively good luck......

 

hey all you guys -- many , many thanks for the great info/input about my deal !! So any ranger after 93 is a bolt-in deal ? no welding or cutting, correct ? If that be the case , i'm on the hunt for a 8.8" rear diff !
Just wondering one thing ? The max size tire i'll ever use is 33x9.5x16 , but if i'm using 33x9.5x15 size tires on 15x8 wheels , will the 7.5" diff be strong enough to handle the 33" tire ?
Again, many-many thanks !
Mahalo, Ray

 

hey out there in ranger land, can any one answer a question for me , please ?
if i can get a 8.8" rear end out of a ranger ... is it true that any ranger model built after 1993 will bolt into my 2000 2x4 ? if so, is it a true " bolt-in " application ? please-please only answer if your very knowlageable on this swap ? i'm having to watch my $$$ close and can't afford " a do over deal ! "
thanks guys for your help and info..
Mahalo, Ray

 

It should bolt right in, the Rangers and Mazda B-series trucks were basically unchanged from 93 on. However Ford did eventually phase out the TTB (twin traction beam) 4x4 front axle in 1998 IIRC for a double A-arm torsion bar set up. The best Ranger 8.8 to look for would come out of a FX4 Level 2 model. Those came loaded with the big 31 spline axles, 4.10 or 4.56 gears, and a Gleason Torsen limited slip diff, and I believe disk brakes as well. To answer your other question yes the 7.5 should handle 33s as long as you don't beat the crap out of it.
John