2004 4x4
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Cisco, TX pop: 2500
2004 4x4
When I purchased my 2004 4x4, I did a little research. I found it has the 4.10:1 gears and an open differential (axle code 97). I know it's an 8.8in axle, but I was wondering how difficult it would be to swap a 9in in its place as I have a couple laying around. Other than the width and mounting bracket issues, would there be any other problems?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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People swap 8.8's into thier jeeps, at best you could upgrade to 31 spline axles, but the 8.8 is plenty strong. It was even used in f-150's, and such. If your gonna buid a monster truck, and run 44" tires, maybe i can see it. The 8.8 will hold it's own even in rock crawling. Your front suspension is more limiting offroad than your 8.8 is.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Just take the money it would cost to swap rears, and invest into a good locler, or limited slip. I have an 04 4x4, 4.0, 5-speed manual, and 410 gears, I crancked my front torsion bars about an inch and a half to level the truck. Put on a set of BFG 265/75-16 all terain KO's, and a power trax lunch box locker. It does excellent offroad, I would like to have a detroit tru-trac lsd in the front, if they ever develope one, but it does great. I take it down to the mountains of W,Va all the time, and have a blast. If your gonna play around in rocks, stumps, and logs, I would sugest you get skid plates, I got the ones from ford that the fx4 level2 has, there a direct bolt on.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Cisco, TX pop: 2500
Wendell, are you able to locate aftermarket parts for your truck? I have a similar truck, but it has the 5sp automatic. I can't seem to find a lift kit, even a leveling kit. I don't want to crank the torsion bars, I would rather do a lift. I have 265/75-16 Firestone Destination M/T tires on it, and I have no clearance issues.
Also, what type of axle is the front? Is it a Dana 35? 4wheelparts.com has a front Detroit Truetrac/ rear Detroit locker with complete installation kit for 1339.99, and it seems like it might be in my (distant) future. How would a locker perform on the street? I want to get a locker so I can have both tires spinning when I go off road, but I want to have decent street manners too.
I just went mudding today, and the truck performed flawlessly. A few of my friends saw the truck and swore up and down that I would get stuck right off the bat. I showed them! I even pulled out a Z71!
Also, what type of axle is the front? Is it a Dana 35? 4wheelparts.com has a front Detroit Truetrac/ rear Detroit locker with complete installation kit for 1339.99, and it seems like it might be in my (distant) future. How would a locker perform on the street? I want to get a locker so I can have both tires spinning when I go off road, but I want to have decent street manners too.
I just went mudding today, and the truck performed flawlessly. A few of my friends saw the truck and swore up and down that I would get stuck right off the bat. I showed them! I even pulled out a Z71!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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if your gonna pop 44s on there than you better be running a nice solid dana 60. if you must stick with a 9" and run 44s than you sure as hell better build it up if your gonna be doing any real off roading with it. although im thinking that your not gonna be putting 44s on it so i agree with everyone else, stick with the 8.8 and get a locker.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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I can find every thing I pretty much need from the aftermarket, or ford. There is no leveling kit for the newer rangers, except crank them bars! RCD, and Dixon Brothers both make likt kits, but there pretty expensive. Yes we have a dana 35 in the front, but there's something dffrerent about ours, where a normal tru-trac won't fit, at least thats what they tell me. A locker does handle weird on the street, you have to let off the gas going into turns, and on slick roads, the rear can come around easy on you. But you get use to it. A good chioce is a selectable locker, it acts like a lsd until you flip the switch, then it's a full locker. Great offroad, and plays nice on the street. Hope this helps.
