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  #1  
Old 05-14-2011, 08:39 AM
Bronco Bronco is offline
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Default Axel swap r7 into a ranger

Hi can anyone tell me if i can swap a 2003 r7 ranger rear end into my 1997 ranger any info would be a huge help this would help alot if i can as this seems to be my only local junkyard option to retain my 4.10 gears
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Old 05-14-2011, 08:43 AM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

should be a direct swap...all the r7 means is that its a 4.10 LS
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Old 05-14-2011, 08:52 AM
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

If your current axle is a 7.5 the other will more then likely be a 8.8

You will need the axle plates and u bolts the 7.5 are smaller.
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Old 05-14-2011, 08:58 AM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

to the OP...what is your axle code?
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Old 05-14-2011, 09:25 AM
Bronco Bronco is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

My axel code is 87 thank's for the feed back guys
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:19 PM
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

Bump for more ideas
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:21 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

well the 87 axle code means you have a 7.5'' rear end...you can do the swap your just going to need the u-bolts and axle plates for the 8.8''
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  #8  
Old 05-14-2011, 05:27 PM
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

Axel plates ? Leaf spring mounts ? Is this difficult, and do i need to weld the plates the u bolts should be available at auto store?
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:35 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

all that stuff is bolt on...the axle plates are what the leaf springs sit on...theyre between the spring and axle...idk where to get the bolts though
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  #10  
Old 05-14-2011, 05:49 PM
Bronco Bronco is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

Would everything i need be on the donor truck the plates are not special swap plates are they ?

This is funny for me i generally have some abilitty to answer my own guestions but i am lost here its making me feel like a noob.lol
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:51 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

yea everything should be on the donor truck
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  #12  
Old 05-20-2011, 05:28 PM
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

I am happy to report that the swap was a great success took three hours start to finish.i found the rearend in a local junk yard with less than 50.000 miles on it for three hundred bucks used the plates and u bolts the brake line even came apart like it was new i think i was very lucky on this swap.thanks for all the help guys
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Old 05-20-2011, 05:29 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

what did the axle come out of?
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  #14  
Old 05-20-2011, 05:37 PM
ben10 ben10 is offline
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

im assuming your 2 wheel drive right?
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Old 05-20-2011, 05:48 PM
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Default Re: Axel swap r7 into a ranger

The donor was a 2003 ranger and it was a r7 axle taking the place of a 87 axle in a 1996 ranger every thing went smoooothh my father and i did the swap on a friends lift with the help of air tools the donor truck must have crashed early on in its life and was garaged for some reason there was almost no rust at all on the donor parts. the front of the truck was smashed bad but the rest was like new lucky me lol. Oh yeah its a 4/4 thats why its a r7 axle it was the only local option to keep 4.10 gearing

Last edited by Bronco; 05-20-2011 at 05:51 PM.
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