Ford Ranger rear end fit '71 Dart?

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dartfreak75 said:
There is only one way to find out try it. If you dont plan on having a ton of horsepower I think the 28 spline would hold up fine. The benefits of the 31 spline out of an explorer are
1) you can get a limited slip differential
2) extra strength in the axles
3) disc brakes
I'm not sure if rangers offer rear disc or limited slip.
If your ok with drum brakes and an open diff for for it.
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I agree, but the 28 splines are about the same of an upgrade as an 8 1/4" because the 28 splines are just the 7.5" axles put into an 8.8 ring gear (similar to the Ford Dana 50 that they came out with). It is personal preference, and I figure that for the price and work involved, I would want the 8.8 for my piece of mind.

I do not believe that the Ranger came with rear disc brakes either, but they did have a limited slip in some models
 
jrlegacy23 said:
I agree, but the 28 splines are about the same of an upgrade as an 8 1/4" because the 28 splines are just the 7.5" axles put into an 8.8 ring gear (similar to the Ford Dana 50 that they came out with). It is personal preference, and I figure that for the price and work involved, I would want the 8.8 for my piece of mind.

I do not believe that the Ranger came with rear disc brakes either, but they did have a limited slip in some models
Click to expand...
I think the some of the splash models had a lsd I'm not about others.
 
I found a 2000 ranger 8.8 that I’m trying to see if stock width 58.5 will fit my 73 duster?I only have a 318 and don’t beat on it so it will be fine just checking who has actually installed one and has the right info, and with my 8.25 with 15x8 wheels with 275/60r15 and 4.5 back spacing the tires hit springs so each side has 1.25 spacer. So it sounds like it might be a good fit at 58.5
 
I have a stock uncut explorer rear in 71 valiant. Perches moved. That is all. Disc 3:73 LSD
18477B1C-3C77-4290-9F0C-208264EB986B.jpeg
 
Sure the 7.5 axles will fit the 8.8 rearend, but they have a smaller drum register, so you have to run the smaller narrower drums and backing plates; which means you have more backing plate clearance to the springs. The Mustang 8.8 is usually smaller register, but four lug, just redrill the drums. But the four lug mustang axles are both same length ranger long side axle. (of the same year) Mustang is wide with a 1/2" right pinion offset. They say the 7.5 rearend is matched well with the 28 spline axles; sorta like the old 8" Mustang rearend from the sixties; with its 28 spline axles, and the 8.8 is better matched with the 31 spline axles, just like the nine is better suited for 31s.
 
Something else to watch out for is the distance of the perch hole front to back. I never assume that the perch will center itself front to back. If the perches are identical from their front edge to the alignment hole, then you can measure from the edge to the housing. Used perches can set up off the housing different distances as well. If you set the perches on the springs then you can really eyeball everything with the rearend mocked up exactly where it will be. Might want to move the perches a little forward anyway to get that tire back away from the leading edge of the fender. But my drill press makes short work of new holes to align the housing farther back.
 
Notanova73 said:
I found a 2000 ranger 8.8 that I’m trying to see if stock width 58.5 will fit my 73 duster?I only have a 318 and don’t beat on it so it will be fine just checking who has actually installed one and has the right info, and with my 8.25 with 15x8 wheels with 275/60r15 and 4.5 back spacing the tires hit springs so each side has 1.25 spacer. So it sounds like it might be a good fit at 58.5
Click to expand...

I don’t know the width on an 8 1/4, but I think if you already need to run over an inch spacer per side you should get the wider explorer rear. I believe the duster wheel wells have plenty of space. But if you measure the width of your current rear you’ll be able to check the difference between it and the ranger 8.8.
 
Notanova73 said:
Update? Pics I’m curious of how the driveline looks being offset a bit
Click to expand...
I posted a couple pics on page 1 of this thread. After driving it i realized that the larger rear at the stock pinion angle does place the driveshaft vertically closer to the tunnel than the 7 1/4. Side to side is not an issue, but on big bumps heavily loaded the driveshaft will strike the tunnel. I plan on modifying the bump stops, which are currently useless. I believe the 8 3/4 bump stops are longer but I’m not sure.
 
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