looking for a D4 code ford ranger rearend

stackz · 01-05-2010, 12:06 PM

just like the title says, I'm looking around for a D4 code ford ranger rearend.

prefer one from 89-96 due to how the main brake line hooks up.

should be a 7.5 locker w/3.73, mine is currently an open 3.73 and it sucks sometimes trying to pull my boat up the landing haha.

havent seen any out at the u-pull lately and I dont really want to lower my truck with an explorer rearend...nor deal with welding on new spring perches to keep ride height, etc...

LXtasy · 01-05-2010, 02:06 PM

very hard to find that rearg easier to find a posi and put it in. or go the explorer route and have someone weld the perches for ya.

Illusions · 01-05-2010, 02:06 PM

Have you looked into an 8.8 swap from an explorer?

stackz · 01-05-2010, 03:30 PM

I can do the welding myself just fine, I just dont like welding is all haha. I prefer unbolting/bolting.

how hard is it to find? are most 4x4 rangers actually packing a pair of open diffs in them??

LXtasy · 01-05-2010, 06:02 PM

When i had the 92 ranger I could NEVER EVER find the posi rear for a 7.5 ranger. Was going to do the 8.8 explorer route.

LKQ would be your best bet and walk the place and look. But good luck. a 8.8 is stronger than that 7.5 FYI

stackz · 01-06-2010, 08:34 AM

already been there and they've got three d4 explorer rearends with drums on them but I figured I'd see if I could find a ranger axle first is all

gearmesh, inc. · 01-11-2010, 10:06 PM

A lot of the 4X4 rangers and explorers in the day had limited slip rears with 31 spline axles. The 31 spline carriers in these are the same carriers that Ford Racing sells as a drop in 31 spline upgrade for Fox body rears.

Fullsize trucks had 31 spline axles, too. Unfortunately, those truck carriers don't fit in a car 8.8 due to them having larger carrier bearings.

stackz · 01-12-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearmesh, inc.

A lot of the 4X4 rangers and explorers in the day had limited slip rears with 31 spline axles. The 31 spline carriers in these are the same carriers that Ford Racing sells as a drop in 31 spline upgrade for Fox body rears.

Fullsize trucks had 31 spline axles, too. Unfortunately, those truck carriers don't fit in a car 8.8 due to them having larger carrier bearings.

the only rangers I know of that have 31 spline axles are the 01+ FX4's and those rearends pull a premium.

and my rearend is a 7.5" so I'd have to source an 8.8" housing first before swapping over to an explorer diff and then I'd have to source the proper length 31-spline axles. mainly why I'm just looking for a regular d4 code ranger rearend.

though, if summer starts creeping up on me, I'll drop the front a few inches and throw an explorer rearend up under it just for boat ramp purposes

gearmesh, inc. · 01-12-2010, 09:37 PM

Waaaaay back when I worked for Jones Ford in 1993, I had a 4X4 Ranger rear end apart for warranty work. I noticed that the axles looked a little more beefier than usual. Sure enough, I counted 31 splines.

.

stackz · 01-13-2010, 10:09 AM

well I am only going by what I've read on the ranger sites. either way, I'd like to get a locker out back.

whether it be that I magically find a locking ranger rear to retain stock ride height.

or I grab an explorer rearend and just lower the front end so it doesnt have a saggy ass...

LXtasy · 01-13-2010, 01:26 PM

dropped ibeams ftl. find used , just a hint.

slowgreen99 · 01-13-2010, 02:50 PM

Just get explorer rear end and flip the springs to the top. Bad Bob did mine that way for me and it wasnt hard at all. Mine was a 91 Eddie Bauer 4x4 rear and front, had 3.55s with a limited slip.

slowgreen99 · 01-13-2010, 02:57 PM

The best site, if you dont already know, is TheRangerStation.com

I did all my research on that site when I did the small block swap.

stackz · 01-13-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LXtasy

dropped ibeams ftl. find used , just a hint.

oh yeah I know but damn, I'm not paying $350 for a pair of damn beams...been trying to find them online at the various ranger forums but seems everyone sells them immediately or disappears instantly of the net haha.

see, my whole thing here is I paid $800 for this truck and to get it to tow my boat (and have a little fun) I threw a spare turbo setup for my svo on it with some junkyard rigging on the fuel system haha. total cash outlay for extra power...$75

an explorer rearend would be $150 at LKQ u-pull (all the crap they toss on like brakes, blah blah) but then I'd either have to toss it on top and cut/weld shock lowers and new leaf pedestals...$$)...or DJM drop up front...$$

or pay just a little extra or get lucky @ LKQ or locally and find a D4 axle cheap.

truck stinks, is all manual, and has fading paint. but it was cheap as a small hauler. its got power to haul now for little to nothing but now I keep slipping with the dogleg on the boat ramp and just want to fix that as cheap as possible. that's all guys...

and yeah, I'm therangerstation.com as well.

gearmesh, inc. · 01-13-2010, 11:56 PM

Or you could put a PowerTraxx insert in your existing open differential and have yourself a baby Detroit Locker. About $300.

.

stackz · 01-14-2010, 08:57 AM

whats your experience with those? I had somewhat considered one but heard bad things about them breaking.

Illusions · 01-14-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

truck stinks, is all manual, and has fading paint. but it was cheap as a small hauler. its got power to haul now for little to nothing but now I keep slipping with the dogleg on the boat ramp and just want to fix that as cheap as possible. that's all guys...

That's almost the reason why I put the 8.8 in the Blazer. I needed something better to pull the 4 wheelers around with.

stackz · 01-14-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illusions

That's almost the reason why I put the 8.8 in the Blazer. I needed something better to pull the 4 wheelers around with.

yep, drive it till the wheels fall off haha.

I've got all the stock stuff to take the turbo setup off when I sell the truck later.

that powertraxx add-in is looking pretty good. even with initial cost, I can pull it and resell it to make some back when I go to get rid of the truck once I finish my 71 bronco....but I'm still in the market for a D4 code axle before that happens haha

01-05-2010, 12:06 PM	#1
stackz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: james island, sc Posts: 121	looking for a D4 code ford ranger rearend just like the title says, I'm looking around for a D4 code ford ranger rearend. prefer one from 89-96 due to how the main brake line hooks up. should be a 7.5 locker w/3.73, mine is currently an open 3.73 and it sucks sometimes trying to pull my boat up the landing haha. havent seen any out at the u-pull lately and I dont really want to lower my truck with an explorer rearend...nor deal with welding on new spring perches to keep ride height, etc...

01-05-2010, 02:06 PM	#2
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	very hard to find that rearg easier to find a posi and put it in. or go the explorer route and have someone weld the perches for ya. __________________

01-05-2010, 02:06 PM	#3
Illusions Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the Pits Posts: 2,247	Have you looked into an 8.8 swap from an explorer? __________________ Illusions Grafix A Pair of "Jackstand" 01 Xtreme Blazers

01-05-2010, 06:02 PM	#5
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	When i had the 92 ranger I could NEVER EVER find the posi rear for a 7.5 ranger. Was going to do the 8.8 explorer route. LKQ would be your best bet and walk the place and look. But good luck. a 8.8 is stronger than that 7.5 FYI __________________

01-11-2010, 10:06 PM	#7
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	A lot of the 4X4 rangers and explorers in the day had limited slip rears with 31 spline axles. The 31 spline carriers in these are the same carriers that Ford Racing sells as a drop in 31 spline upgrade for Fox body rears. Fullsize trucks had 31 spline axles, too. Unfortunately, those truck carriers don't fit in a car 8.8 due to them having larger carrier bearings. __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

01-05-2010, 03:30 PM	#4
stackz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: james island, sc Posts: 121	I can do the welding myself just fine, I just dont like welding is all haha. I prefer unbolting/bolting. how hard is it to find? are most 4x4 rangers actually packing a pair of open diffs in them??

01-06-2010, 08:34 AM	#6
stackz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: james island, sc Posts: 121	already been there and they've got three d4 explorer rearends with drums on them but I figured I'd see if I could find a ranger axle first is all

01-12-2010, 09:37 PM	#9
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	Waaaaay back when I worked for Jones Ford in 1993, I had a 4X4 Ranger rear end apart for warranty work. I noticed that the axles looked a little more beefier than usual. Sure enough, I counted 31 splines. . __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

01-13-2010, 10:09 AM	#10
stackz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: james island, sc Posts: 121	well I am only going by what I've read on the ranger sites. either way, I'd like to get a locker out back. whether it be that I magically find a locking ranger rear to retain stock ride height. or I grab an explorer rearend and just lower the front end so it doesnt have a saggy ass...

01-13-2010, 01:26 PM	#11
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	dropped ibeams ftl. find used , just a hint. __________________

01-13-2010, 02:50 PM	#12
slowgreen99 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 7,740	Just get explorer rear end and flip the springs to the top. Bad Bob did mine that way for me and it wasnt hard at all. Mine was a 91 Eddie Bauer 4x4 rear and front, had 3.55s with a limited slip. __________________ M.R.E. Bad Bob Motorsports

01-13-2010, 02:57 PM	#13
slowgreen99 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 7,740	The best site, if you dont already know, is TheRangerStation.com I did all my research on that site when I did the small block swap. __________________ M.R.E. Bad Bob Motorsports

01-13-2010, 11:56 PM	#15
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	Or you could put a PowerTraxx insert in your existing open differential and have yourself a baby Detroit Locker. About $300. . __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

01-14-2010, 08:57 AM	#16
stackz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: james island, sc Posts: 121	whats your experience with those? I had somewhat considered one but heard bad things about them breaking.