I am posting this on multiple sites to improve my ability to do it right so apologies if that's not ok. But as you can see I am brand new to FRF and new to Rangers but not my first Rodeo with Ford trucks. I had a 1976 HB Camper Special that I tore down to the first nut and bolt then rebuilt back brand new in 94, what an endeavor that was.

But on with the build thread. I bought this truck a few weeks ago for a pretty decent deal.

But less than 24 hours later she needed serious help.. The rear end grenaded on the way to get it registered! The housing survived somehow and I am in the process of rebuilding it. I will have some questions here.

Yupp, that is all the gear lube that came out of it! those few little streams :shok:

Doesn't that icecream cone inner mold look pretty in there?

Upon further inspection she needs a lot of work underneath she has been abused pretty hard not just in the off-road kind of way but in the “not cared for in anyway” way.

As it sits (well on Jack stands right now) here is the build as known but not sure of all parts yet.

• 35x12.5x15’s under it (actually beside it), Just ordered 33x12.5x15s for it
• 4.56 gearing with a Locker in the rear Unknow locker see pic below if you can help identify!
• Unknown 3” body lift
• Unknown 4” suspension lift - All blocks and brackets seem to have aligned the axle angles properly
• 4.0 swap, manual tranny swap, manual transfer case swap
• very crappy front bumper brackets made to kind of realign the front bumper to the body
• Cooling fan housing held on by copper wire and zip ties
• Grease and Goo, and lube leaks everywhere

The good news is it starts first hit every time, was driving pretty well before it chunked the rear end, didn’t have any bad tendencies, and seemed to have plenty of get up and go.
The total destruction of the rear end gearing was a shock to say the least. I was lock hopping down the freeway at 70! Towed it home with everything in neutral and managed to drag it into the garage on the fronts only to begin the work.
I have most of the necessary replacement parts already minus the front axle stubs and am still in budget for value of the truck. So except for my labor (which I enjoy) still a good value.
Well on with the show.. Have a few questions with the pics so chime in if you know the answer and if you have any good advice I will definitely listen to that to. The trucks primary purpose will be for mudding and hunting but I would like it to remain street-able enough to drive if necessary.

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Rear coming off and apart, my son cutting the U-bolts. They were pretty rusted up and not worth working off.


Very ingenious idea my son and a friend had to removing a very free spinning pinion gear. :icon_welder:


Stripped down and off to Machine shop for a trip through the spin cycle


Back from machine shop and we put the first coat of paint on it


I have a brand new Ford Racing ring and pinion to put in, with a BSD rebuild kit for the rear end. Plus new axles just because I didnt like the ones that were in there

Stay tuned questions coming next post

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So have all the guts out.. All new bearings and seals to go every where but have a few questions first..

• I have looked all over and cannot find a locker that looks like this one. Anyone else have a clue?
• Due to it not being a clutched locker do I have to run special fluids or straight up gear oil?
• It has a the funkiest pin I have ever seen (see in pic below)

I have taken it apart to look inside since the rear end was run totally dry for who knows how long before grenading. all seems very well in there no destroyed teeth, no wear spots actually there were no shavings or parts of metal in the locker at all. Pretty clean inside.




More later