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Thanks so much NumberDummy. It looks like if I want to upgrade to a 3.73 I will have to go aftermarket. I found a list to identify ford rear axles and that list showed one Ford using a 3.73. Not sure about this but the best I can figure out about that is that it may be a special edition NASCAR 1998 F150 Axle tag number.
The axle code is "S822B" = 1990/2001 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog - Rear Axle Parts List # 27
The carrier isthe same part number (E7TZ-4204-E) and the ring gear would fit the carrier, there is probably a good chance that the pinion gear would not fit.
E68Z-4209-AA .. 3.73-1 R&P
This rear axle uses unique axle shafts and they're right & left specific.
Thanks so much NumberDummy. It looks like if I want to upgrade to a 3.73 I will have to go aftermarket. I found a list to identify ford rear axles and that list showed one Ford using a 3.73. Not sure about this but the best I can figure out about that is that it may be a special edition NASCAR1998 F150 Axle tag number.
The axle code is "S822B"
Am thinking even if the carrier is the same part number and the ring gear would fit the carrier, there is probably a good chance that the pinion gear would not fit. I would also guess that it it was only used that one year, that it would be quite expensive if I could find one from Ford.
So who makes a good quality ring and pinion set?
Most of the Explorers came with 3.73 geared 8.8 rears. I narrowed and swapped one into my 89 V8 Ranger several years ago. These were also all 31 spline axles. The Rangers had 8.8's too, but they were all 28 spline axles. Your 8.8 will also have 31 spline axles.
This rear axle uses unique axle shafts and they're right & left specific.
Almost all rear ends have different left and right axles. The pickup truck rear axles are not the same lengths as the van axles anyway. Vans had different left/right axle lengths. The Rangers and Explorers did as well. The Fox Stangs had same lengths both sides, which coincidentally were the same as one side of the Ranger's axles (don't recall which off hand) If you wanted to convert a Stang to 5 lug axles, you could do it using two Ranger axles.
Ok so I found a new FORD OEM Rear-Differential Case 9L3Z4204A Old part # E7TZ-4204-E Also bought a BRAND NEW OEM Ford 8L3Z-4209-N 8.8 3.73 GEAR AND PINION ASY
From all the research I have done this should fit a 88 e150 8.8 axle.
Ok so I found a new FORD OEM Rear-Differential Case 9L3Z4204A Old part # E7TZ-4204-E Also bought a BRAND NEW OEM Ford 8L3Z-4209-N 8.8 3.73 GEAR AND PINION ASY
From all the research I have done this should fit a 88 e150 8.8 axle.
You're going to need an 8.8 ring gear installation kit too, to get the differential shims.
