Dan B.
07-01-2019, 03:36 PM
Ok fellas. I'm thinking about making some changes to the 387W Ranger. Since it was first built, over 20yrs ago, it's had a narrowed Mopar 8.75" rear diff. This was done since it already had a posi, good gears and only needed narrowed. This was before the prevalance of knowledge (to me) about the aftermarket availability of 8.8" parts. I was also being helped by someone that was a fat rear tire, pro street fan. So we narrowed it and tucked the tires on a budget while only having to pay for resplining the axles.
Fast forward two decades ahead. The motor has changed (3 times...maybe four), at least three C4's and three sets of gears in the diff. The change I'm debating is pulling the Mopar rear out and swapping in an 8.8". I have a disc brakes unit from a P71. Reason for the change...the right axle seal has seeped gear oil for years. Even after changing it several times, something is just not happy. Next reason...MOPAR gears are NO where to be found on the used market. I really want to swap in some 3.90's or 4.10's. But they are hard to find and expensive. Whereas 8.8" parts are much easier to locate. Third...disc brakes. I just think this would be a cool addition.
My rear suspension set up is unorthodox for a Ranger and a regular Ranger/Explorer housing will not be a direct bolt in. And I really like my deep offset rear wheels. So I need to locate someone to narrow a housing to match my current diff. I've seen enough DIY stuff to THINK about doing it myself but still not 100% sold on trying it. But...I have the housing already, so why not? Spare housings can't be that hard to find if I really jack it up. Then I just need to source a set of narrowed axles...that can't be too hard to do.
Thoughts?
Fast forward two decades ahead. The motor has changed (3 times...maybe four), at least three C4's and three sets of gears in the diff. The change I'm debating is pulling the Mopar rear out and swapping in an 8.8". I have a disc brakes unit from a P71. Reason for the change...the right axle seal has seeped gear oil for years. Even after changing it several times, something is just not happy. Next reason...MOPAR gears are NO where to be found on the used market. I really want to swap in some 3.90's or 4.10's. But they are hard to find and expensive. Whereas 8.8" parts are much easier to locate. Third...disc brakes. I just think this would be a cool addition.
My rear suspension set up is unorthodox for a Ranger and a regular Ranger/Explorer housing will not be a direct bolt in. And I really like my deep offset rear wheels. So I need to locate someone to narrow a housing to match my current diff. I've seen enough DIY stuff to THINK about doing it myself but still not 100% sold on trying it. But...I have the housing already, so why not? Spare housings can't be that hard to find if I really jack it up. Then I just need to source a set of narrowed axles...that can't be too hard to do.
Thoughts?