[mustanggrl05]

My son found a rear end on craigs list. It is out of a 88 ford ranger. I was just wondering if that would fit in his 66 stang? What all would we need to do to make that work? Or, will it be better to go with the original plan of just buying the new rear end with drum brake conversion kit on it? Thanks for your opinions
Mustanggrl05

[rodbender]

Somebody on here was doing that swap with either Ranger or Explorer rear end. I have heard that the pinion is offset on the Ranger.

[v8only]

I do believe the rangers had a 7.5 rear end. substantially weaker than the old 8" you have now

[mustanggrl05]

Hmmm... The guy has it listed as a 9 inch rear end. I guess I am going to stick with my original plan. We will just order one from a guy who makes them about 300 miles away. He will ship it to us. It would be already put together so all it would need is bolted on. Less work , more money!! Thanx so much for your input!! Greatly appreciated!!
Mustanggrl05

[v8only]

that's a good idea. I'm 100% sure it's not a 9" rear, and about 90% sure it's a 7.5 rear. LOL, those 7.5's blew up behind bone stock 155hp 2bbl v8 mustangs back in 1983, 1984

[andrewmp6]

Yes all rangers are a 7.5 but for the ranger gt that was a 8.8.I wouldn't mess with a 8.8 either 9 inch or dana 44 are the two only axles i love.

[v8only]

you're crazy!!! the 8.8 is the next 9"!!!

plentiful, cheap and can handle 350hp+ in stock form with ease on drag slicks

[ubugme19]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Yes all rangers are a 7.5 but for the ranger gt that was a 8.8.I wouldn't mess with a 8.8 either 9 inch or dana 44 are the two only axles i love.

Sorry for being a year late to the thread but I know for a fact that my last 3 Rangers ALL had the 8.8 Trac-loc. My 98 XLT xt cab was a 3.55 ratio 8.8, My 03' FX4 was a 3.73 8.8 and my current 07' Sport has a 3.73 8.8. ALL of these have an 8.8 rear as per the axle tags as well as the gear ratios that are stamped on them. Furthermore ALL 4.0L Rangers are equipped with the 8.8 and the 4wd 3.0L's are eqipped as well. Some 2wd 3.0L's have an 8.8 but they are few and were mostly part of a tow package with a factory hitch and trans cooler.
The 8.8's with a bearing girdle are actually stronger than a 9" not to mention 100 lbs lighter. The main reason for the 9" becoming a performance rear is that a ratio change takes 10 minutes if you have a second carrier. We have done it for years, put a 4.11 in one carrier and a 4.56 in another. At an 1/8th mile run the 4.56 drive to a 1/4 mile that next day and swap in the 4.11 in about 30 minutes. It's not because they are stronger. If that were the case we would all have Dana 60's.

[andrewmp6]

A 9 inch is stronger what you think a top fuel car runs?

[rodbender]

The top fuel cars might use a variation of a nine inch and very loosely at that. There is NO WAY a stock type nine will hold thousands of horses. It is my experience that the 8.8 will hold it's own against the nine. All things being equal across the board.

[Turner327]

Originally Posted by rodbender

The top fuel cars might use a variation of a nine inch and very loosely at that. There is NO WAY a stock type nine will hold thousands of horses. It is my experience that the 8.8 will hold it's own against the nine. All things being equal across the board.

I have a 8.8 in my 88 notch pushing 800hp on the bottle and i've never had a problem. As long as the person setting the gears knows what they are doing a 8.8 will hang with a 9in anyday. Lighter cheaper and they are a dime a dozen.

[andrewmp6]

A 8.8 will break first the c clips are the weak link then the axle tubes them self can flex and break the welds.I do more off roading and no one i know has had a 8.8 hold up off road they all broke some how.But off road puts more stress on the tubes and spinning a 38 inch or taller tire is heavy somethings gotta give in the end.