rear diff
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 280
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From: pine city washington
rear diff
i have fixed everything in the drive train from the tranny back except the rear diff. let me give a little background. the truck is a 96 ranger 2wd 5 spd manual with an extra cab it also has a 2.3l engine with 200,00 miles. the p.o. tried to tow a trailer with about 5000 pounds of lumber with the truck, the truck protested and threw the trailer off,taking the rear bumper with it. so they tied everything on with bailing wire and drove the last 10 miles real slow. then parked it for about 5 yrs .the lady that owned the truck passed away and the daughter and son-in-law divorced and i was given the truck if i could start it. got it running towed it home,changed the clutch and tranny and rear bumper,and gave it a tune up and changed all the fluids except for the rear diff my question is how do you change the fluid the reason i ask is because it is starting to make noise,not a lot just faint i will probably end up taking the diff out and have it rebuilt but not for awhile it cost too much right now, or i could buy one from pull and save for 75 bucks. is there a diff that will fit that has rear disc brakes and locking diff? if i am going to spend 75 bucks i might as well get what i need.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
96 Ranger came with 8.8" or 7.5". Look at the tag on that rear end. The digits in the middle of the bottom row tell you the Ring Gear size. 88 = 8.8" and 75 = 7.5". On the left of that bottom row will list that axle's ratio. And if it's a "locking" rear end or not. 373 = 3.73-1 standard "open" rear end. 3L73 = 3.73-1 ratio and locking rear end.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
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From: On the Edge of the Desert
The 2.3 motor would have had the 7.5" rearend. It's fine for the little engine and light work, but if you want to beef it up, grab an 8.8 from a v6 truck. The 4x4 rigs had lower axle gears too I think, so that would be good for the little motor. Plus, the 8.8 is well supported in the aftermarket. 7.5 isn't.
BTW, just FYI, this is the 1967-1972 F-100 & up forum.
BTW, just FYI, this is the 1967-1972 F-100 & up forum.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1984/90 Bronco II has the same rear axle as the V6 Ranger Super Cab (intro'd 1986). There were 2 different V6's in Bronco II's .. 4 different V6's in Rangers...depending on the year.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
For those unaware, parts catalog symbol B = Bronco II / parts catalog symbol R = Ranger.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
The Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch axle used 28-spline shafts. The exception is the 2002 FX4 and 2003 & newer FX4 Level II models which had 31-spline shafts.
A '95-2001 Explorer 8.8" disc brake, 31-spline rear end would not work well if swapped into a little Ranger due to the added width of the Explorer axle (about 3" wider), the greater axle housing tube diameter (3.25" vs. 2.80") and the Explorer leaf spring perches are on the underside of the axle tubes, instead of on the topside.
However, if you wanted rear disc brakes on a Ranger, it's pretty easy to install '94-'04 SN95 V6/GT Mustang rear discs brakes (solid 10.5" rotor version) onto a 7.5" or 8.8" Ranger drum brake rear end, using the stock Ranger axles.
A '95-2001 Explorer 8.8" disc brake, 31-spline rear end would not work well if swapped into a little Ranger due to the added width of the Explorer axle (about 3" wider), the greater axle housing tube diameter (3.25" vs. 2.80") and the Explorer leaf spring perches are on the underside of the axle tubes, instead of on the topside.
However, if you wanted rear disc brakes on a Ranger, it's pretty easy to install '94-'04 SN95 V6/GT Mustang rear discs brakes (solid 10.5" rotor version) onto a 7.5" or 8.8" Ranger drum brake rear end, using the stock Ranger axles.
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