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  #1  
Old 02-04-2010, 05:47 PM
frodeezy frodeezy is offline
bone stock 2005 fx4
 
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Default FX4 rear end VS and or FX4 LVL 2 rear end VS and or EXPLOER rear end

I have a 2005 FX4 is there really any differance between the 3 rear ends? i no the explorers and the level 2s have stronger rear ends and i no that a level one has the 28 spline rear and the level 2 has the 31 spline just like the explorers but the explores are a little wider i no some have limited slip rear ends and i no some have open rear ends but is there any differanse in off road capibilitys? im askin becuse ive read that people change out there rear ends from stock to explores rear ends but i dont understand why? and what makes the level 2 and explorer rear end stonger than a level 1 and why? and whats the differance between limited slip and toriton limited slip?
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  #2  
Old 02-04-2010, 06:21 PM
TrePaul86 TrePaul86 is offline
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Rear ends compatible with Rangers:

7.5" - 28 spline; came in all 2wd's and 3.0L 4wd's

8.8" 28 spline; came in all 4wd's equipped with 4.0L

8.8" 31 spline; came in ONLY 2002 FX4 Off Road Rangers and 2003 FX4 Level II rangers

8.8" 31 spline; Disc brake rears came only in Explorers. The WMS of the explorer axle is 2-3" wider I believe.

The difference is the strength of the axle shafts. The 31 spline housing is also larger and stronger than the 28 spline housing.

The question about on and off road capabilities is kinda broad. It all depends on your gearing you chose and what carrier you want or have and what you want to do with it.

The TORSEN works much like a Detroit and it was Fords attempt to upgrade the carrier to make it more of an all terrain vehicle. Most Limited Slip's are gear/clutch driven and wear over time.
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  #3  
Old 02-04-2010, 06:24 PM
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To answer why people swap to a explorer axle is for the disc brakes
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  #4  
Old 02-05-2010, 01:13 PM
Fx4wannabe01 Fx4wannabe01 is offline
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OP has it pretty much right.




I made some edits....

Quote:
Originally Posted by TrePaul86 View Post
7.5" - 28 spline; came in all 4cyl 2wd's, some 3.0 2wd xcabs.

8.8" 28 spline; came in all 4.0 trucks and all 4x4 trucks of later years. Quite a bit of 3.0 xcab 2wds also got the 8.8

8.8" 31 spline; came in ONLY 2002 FX4 Off Road Rangers and 2003-07 FX4 Level II rangers. 08-09 Fx4 Off Road, the 31spline+Torsen was an option, it's a toss up on if one has it or not. Only way to tell is putting a tape measure around the axle tube. If 03-07 Fx4 Off Road, it's still the 8.8 28.

8.8" 31 spline; Disc brake rears came only in Explorers. The WMS of the explorer axle is 3" wider. But, leaf spring is UNDER the axle as opposed to the Ranger's spring over configuration.

The difference is the strength of the axle shafts. The 31 spline housing is also larger and stronger than the 28 spline housing. Approx 30% stronger.

The question about on and off road capabilities is kinda broad. It all depends on your gearing you chose and what carrier you want or have and what you want to do with it.

The TORSEN works much like a Detroit TruTrac and it was Fords attempt to upgrade the carrier to make it more of an all terrain vehicle. Most Limited Slip's are clutch driven and wear over time, but the Torsen is gear driven and really doesn't wear out or stop "hooking up posi".
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Last edited by Fx4wannabe01; 02-05-2010 at 01:42 PM.
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Old 02-05-2010, 01:27 PM
TrePaul86 TrePaul86 is offline
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Damn, I got almost all of that right lol
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  #6  
Old 02-05-2010, 01:29 PM
DangerRanger01 DangerRanger01 is offline
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Shane had it almsot right. Check it! Who is the FX4wannabe meow, son?

31spline axles
  • 2002 FX4 Off Road
  • 2003~2007 FX4 Level II (but NOT FX4 Off Road)
  • 2008~2009 FX4 Off Road (only when equipped with the "XR8" option - Torsen diff/31-spline/4.10 ratio).
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  #7  
Old 02-05-2010, 01:31 PM
TrePaul86 TrePaul86 is offline
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For some reason, I don't the last 2 being right past 2003... Shane, fix this.
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  #8  
Old 02-05-2010, 03:11 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
03 Ranger xlt, 4.0L, 4x4
 
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Is the R7 axel code 31 spline? its 8.8, l/s, w/4.10 gears. thats wat i got and its an fx4 off road 2003
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Old 02-05-2010, 03:15 PM
TrePaul86 TrePaul86 is offline
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Go over to TRS, and look up their tech library. They have all the codes posted there.
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  #10  
Old 02-05-2010, 03:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleymedic53 View Post
Is the R7 axle code 31 spline? its 8.8, l/s, w/4.10 gears. that's what i got and its an fx4 off road 2003
Thats what my new axle is R7
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  #11  
Old 02-05-2010, 05:52 PM
Fx4wannabe01 Fx4wannabe01 is offline
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There is NO specific code designation for 31spline or 28spline. All that code tells you is it's gear ratio and if it's LS or Open.
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  #12  
Old 02-05-2010, 05:58 PM
mjonesjr mjonesjr is offline
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R7 just means it has a limited slip and 4.10 gears.

There is NO way to tell which axle it is by the axle code.

The ONLY way to tell without pulling the diff cover is to measure the tube diameters of the axle housing. A 28 spline tubes are 3.25" and a 31 spline tubes are 3.5.
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  #13  
Old 02-05-2010, 07:51 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
03 Ranger xlt, 4.0L, 4x4
 
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hmm ohh, well im assuming that i got the bigger one...
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The {EVOLUTION} Continues
!:::My Ride:::!
[SIZE="1"]2003 FX4 Ext cab 4x4.
4.0L V6, 4.10 axel 8.8 l/s, CAI, 2.25" Exhaust w/ turbo muffler.
T-bar crank, 33x12.5 Firestone Destination A/T on 15x8 Soft 8's.
3" BL, 6400 Shackels
Red LED's:Under dash and behind Grill, 6" fogs behind grill, painted headlights and flairs
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  #14  
Old 02-05-2010, 07:56 PM
mjonesjr mjonesjr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleymedic53 View Post
hmm ohh, well im assuming that i got the bigger one...
Is your '03 a FX4 Level II? If it is NOT a Level II, then it doesn't have the 31 spline axle.
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  #15  
Old 02-05-2010, 07:56 PM
DangerRanger01 DangerRanger01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleymedic53 View Post
hmm ohh, well im assuming that i got the bigger one...
Is your fx4 a LII? or the normal FX4 off road?
If LII, you have the 31spline. If off road, you have the 28spline
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