D2 is a 4.10 gear ratio with limited slip from the factory

D4 and L73 are also limited slip, but 3.73 ratios.

The spring saddle widths are 39 inches - same as Rangers. The axle hubs are as much as four inches (two inches per side) wider than stock Ranger.

*One downside - the spring saddles may be on the bottoms of the axle housings and may have to be relocated anyway.

Here is where the codes are found on the axle tag:



If you see "D2" in that spot on the tag, don't let it get away! Mine was $150.oo

The above axle will be going into a street and strip truck with a 351W. There is another bonus: Rear DISC BRAKES



-And yeah, you can see the stub of the alloy driveshaft that was cut off. Penny Pinching misers!!!

But it was probably bent by the forklift anyway.

Note also the sway dampener and bracket bolted to the nose of the differential.

ONE LAST: Yes it's a five on four and a half lug circle. Think of it as a Mustang axle with more 'NUTZ'...

 

I was under the impression that the axle codes ewre the same as the Ranger, so a limited-slip 3.73 would say 3L73.

My Explorer has 3 55 in that location, just as the original Ranger tag has 3 08.

 

Here is the chart I went by:

http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

But I was also interested in newer axles and what Exploders might offer.

Notice that there are a few LS axles for rangers (more than for explorers!) - I figured ranger trucks had most likely been picked clean by now, and I also wanted four wheel disk brakes (*Explorers have dual piston front calipers too - but I don't know if they can be interchanged)

For a Street and Strip truck though - WIDER is better. You want the axle flange nearer the center of the wheels. "OFFSET" does not promote rim strength.

 

You can interchange the front brake parts...later Rangers ('95+) used the same dual-piston setup as the Exploder.

I'm pretty sure those are the door tag codes as opposed to the axle tag codes, since every Explorer/Ranger I've seen has the numerical ratio printed clearly on the tag.

Thanks for that link though, some good stuff on that site.

 

(Liberally ROBBED DATA)



<TABLE style="TABLE-LAYOUT: fixed; WIDTH: 253pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=336 border=0 x:str><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>Bronco II</TD><TD class=xl26 x:num>42</TD><TD class=xl27>Regular</TD><TD class=xl26 x:num>2640</TD><TD class=xl28 x:num>3.45</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>44</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2640</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>47</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2500</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>D2</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2500</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.45</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>D4</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2640</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl32 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl33>D7</TD><TD class=xl34>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl33 x:num>2500</TD><TD class=xl35 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>Ranger</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>72</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.08</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>74</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.45</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>82</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.08</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>84</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.45</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>85</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2750</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.55</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>86</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>87</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>96</TD><TD>Regular</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>F4</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.45</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>F5</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2750</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.55</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>F6</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30>F7</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>2700</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl32 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl33>K6</TD><TD class=xl34>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl33 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl35 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>Explorer</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>43</TD><TD x:str="Open ">Open </TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.08</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>41</TD><TD x:str="Open ">Open </TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.27</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>42</TD><TD x:str="Open ">Open </TD><TD class=xl30></TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>46</TD><TD x:str="Open ">Open </TD><TD class=xl30></TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>45</TD><TD x:str="Open ">Open </TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.55</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl36>D4</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30 x:num>3200</TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>3.73</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl36>D2</TD><TD>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl30></TD><TD class=xl31 x:num>4.10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl32 style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17></TD><TD class=xl33>L73</TD><TD class=xl34>Limited Slip</TD><TD class=xl33></TD><TD class=xl35 x:num>3.73</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

problem with the Expler is they use an "A" frame front end.

I'm working with twin "I" beams (as usual) RE: Brake calipers.

PS: The assembly line needs parts matching. One needs to match the other. What we do is different - so the door tag is not useful after modification.


- You follow me?

If a modded truck is in the boneyard, the door tag means doodly squat...

I can only tell ya what I'm seein' man.
With pictures to back it up

 

No no I follow you, my apologies. The '95+ Rangers use the twin-piston setup. I've no idea when they dropped I-beams from the front suspension on Rangers though. All I know is my '94 had them, and the '95s and up have the twin-piston brakes.

I'd never trust the door tag of any vehicle I've seen, including new ones. But I'm just saying that what I see on the tag of my Explorer is "3 55" not "45" where you indicated.

Either way, looks like a good find, I hope it does work well for you.

 

It's a higher gear ratio - but with the shear blue NUTZ of a 351W behind it and the light weight of the Ranger I think top-end will be better.

(?) 45??? It clearly has L73 stamped on it - did you look at the picture?

45 is a non-LS 3.55 ratio. It IS however rated 3200 LBS

It's a heavy duty peg-legger.

And I bet G-1 has a 72 stamped on it.... If it don't, I'LL GO FIND ONE!

 

Hey wolfie,
Am just about to get my hands on a unmolested, grandpa fresh, 83 ranger witha V6 ($600) and it runs. I also have a 2wd 97 mercury mountaineer that has a blown tranny. Am thinking If i buy the ranger, Maybe swapping the 5.0 in to the ranger this summer.

 

Think about carburetted, with a C-5 tranny and clutch packs

(amending an earlier thought) 82 would be best for the G-1, it has a heavier load rating. 2700 vice 2200 pounds.


"S-10.... What is that? Ten pounds of 'S' in a chevrolet SACK???"

 

It will be Carbed, not EFI. I was looking at a dual quad set up (small carbs not Dominators) that looked really cool. Check out what this guy did http://www.v8-ranger.com/

 

Copied adapter links - may need that later

I hope you remember the formula for volumetric efficiency.

0.85 is the best they do.

(unstuffed)