I had asked about possibly putting 4.56, but was told to only go as far as 4.10.

Does that sound right to you?

 

If it is a 2wd and you plan on driving it everyday, then yes, 4.10 is as far as I would go. If it is a 4wd and you wans to lift it and put larger tires on it, then the sky is the limit. You will notice a diffrence in lowend grunt right off of the bat. Some rangers with 4 bangers as you call them, came from the factory with 4.10 gears and IIRC they were quite peppy. I have owned 2 of them. 4.10s should not have much negative effect on mileage, some will argue that you will increase in mileage if you do a lot of city driving. The choice is yours my friend, don't let anyone talk you into something you may regret later.

 

Yes, it is 2WD, and yes I do drive it everyday. Thanks. Ya Covered all of the bases for me.

And I know what you're talking about on the Rangers. I had a 4x4 '87 Ranger with a 2.9L V6 I recently sold. That thing could move a mountain. I never did find out what gears it had in the rear. I'm sure it was modified though. It was previously owned by an employee at the local Sand & Gravel place.

Back to my question...

So, I'm gonna put 4.10 gears in the rear. I would like to add LS. Which is the best road to take on this issue (Brand, etc.)

I do apologize for beating a dead horse it seems, but I want to make sure I cover everything before spending that kind of money.

KEEP THEM REPLIES COMIN' Y'ALL!!!

 

If you are going to stick with stock size tires, 4.10's would be fine. If you want to step up to a 265 series tire, some 4.30's (or even 4.56's) would be much better.

Check out www.ringpinion.com for gears and LS units for the Ford 8.8. It's a great site. Also, Ebay always has good deals.

Oh yeah...your truck has 31 spline axleshafts. That will be important when looking for a LS unit. Don't get it confused with the 28 spline units found in Mustang's and Rangers.

 

3.55 open rearend. Not LS
88 = 8.8" ring gear.
9K26 is a date code.

All 87-up V8 Mustangs were LS. But they are 28 spline and your truck is 31 spline. The ring and pinion are about the only thing interchangeable.
The Mustangs are also coil spring where as the truck has leaf springs, so you would have to remove the control arm mounts and weld on spring perches.
Also, the Mustang rearend will be way too narrow and the wrong brakes and bolt pattern for the wheels.

 

I've just purchased a 3L73 8.8 out of a Mercurcy Mountaineer to swap into my 1960 F100 with a 1990 TH700r4 tranny and original 292 V8 Y-block... $250.00 + tax.

The GM 10 Bolt axle I had had axle bearing issues and needed rework - just the axles and bearings were gonna cost me a couple hundred bucks - parts only.

The original DANA 60 (4.56) is just TOO damn heavy for cruising in my hot-rod-pick-em-up-truck and the 8-bolt lug pattern needed new axles to match the new front Mustang II IFS from Wilwood and neither had Disc Brakes or limited slip.

Now I've got a 3.73 Limited Slip with Disc Brakes, on 31 spline...without any machine shop re-work!!

Pretty solid deal for the money.

Stan

 

Very first thing is to see if your rear has any working sensor for brake control or speed sensor that a Mustang would not have.
The Mustang limited slip does not have as strong an 'S' spring as the truck has so your behind already in several areas.
Look at the door post ID tage to see what rear was originally in the truck.
Expect the speedo to be incorrect if you change gearing.
The Ranger had 4:10.
Good luck.