need help finding axels

talkington · #1 01-02-2010, 01:00 PM

ok so i don't know too much about gearing a rear end so i think im going to get a different axle and do a swap. i need to find an axle that will handle 33x12.50 tires but i do some offroading so i want a limited slip. my problem is that i don't know wat axles with fit and what to pull it from. i would like it to be a simple bolt on nothing to fancy to mod it. any help would be apreciated thanks.

Tom · #2 01-02-2010, 01:39 PM

A lot of people swap in explorer axles, they are a little stronger with the 31 splines and have rear disc brakes also.

talkington · #3 01-02-2010, 01:41 PM

but what kind of gear ratio do they have?? also i hear some rangers have like 4.10 or certin explorers? what ones??

STL · #4 01-02-2010, 04:25 PM

Search Car-part.com 2004 year and then under part select Axle Assy Rear (w. housing)

Will pop up with these options to pick from

Id go with the 8.8 4.10 w Level II

8.8" ring gear, 9" brakes, 4.10 ratio
8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, FX4 (locking), w/o Level II
8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, FX4 (locking), w/Level II
8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, exc. FX4

talkington · #5 01-02-2010, 05:53 PM

ok. thanks stl... whats the difference with level 2 is it just the truck model or is the axle special or something??

STL · #6 01-02-2010, 06:12 PM

8.8 31 spline l/s (limited slip) 4.10 gears best one ford used on the ranger

I only recomend that one cause I installed one and love it with my larger tires

robsranger · #7 01-02-2010, 06:34 PM

ahh i have a spare rear that you can have for 100 BUT its out of a 96 w/ 3.73s ls and 10 drums

talkington · #8 01-02-2010, 07:35 PM

hmmm thats tempting but i want to run 33s so i want it to be geared at about 4.10 sorry man but thanks for the idea

talkington · #9 01-02-2010, 07:40 PM

thanks stl your helping me understand rear ends a little better lol cause i know a little but not a ton.... yea that rear end sounds awesome cause i wanna run 33s and not have it bog down but also have a good offroad performance. i also heard that i will have to re gear the front end to match the rear is that true???

West · #10 01-02-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

i also heard that i will have to re gear the front end to match the rear is that true???

Yes, unless you never want to use 4x4 again. If your front and rear gears are not the same, then when you put it in 4x4 the front tires will try to turn at a different speed than the rear tires. And the transfer case can not compensate for that so you would probably break the chain in the case or have even more damage.