Possible rear swap

[Dan B.]

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?

[GOT SVT]

sounds like a good plan

[TooFast98Cobra]

Hey dano i got strange 33 spline axles u can have cut and resplind. 4.10 gears and a strange spool. Lmk

[Donstang86]

Time to upgrade with the 8.8. Everything you said makes sense. FYI, I loved seeing that bad boy in person. Its Kick Ass!

[Dan B.]

Hey dano i got strange 33 spline axles u can have cut and resplind. 4.10 gears and a strange spool. Lmk

Spool on the street?

4.10 would be nice. I'm realizing that the 3.55's are just not enough gear for the driving I'm doing with it now. 55mph is around 2500rpm with the tall tires...that's also nice but it's time to kick it up a notch. Wonder what ET improvement I'd see from 4.10's.

[TooFast98Cobra]

Spool 4 life.

[Martin0660]

Spool on the street?

4.10 would be nice. I'm realizing that the 3.55's are just not enough gear for the driving I'm doing with it now. 55mph is around 2500rpm with the tall tires...that's also nice but it's time to kick it up a notch. Wonder what ET improvement I'd see from 4.10's.

I drive my spool all the time, just don't be stupid ...

don't fear the gear, if you thing a 4.10 is good, go 4.30 :D Gear is good

[Dan B.]

I drive my spool all the time, just don't be stupid ...

don't fear the gear, if you thing a 4.10 is good, go 4.30 :D Gear is good

Define "stupid" in relation to a spool on the street...no tight figure 8's on a dry concrete parking lot?

Gear...to be honest...I have a third member for the Mopar rear set up with a traction lock (factory Mopar) and Strange 4.56's. THOSE are the gears that I fear.

[PaxtonShelby]

Might be fun to toss in those 4.56’s and see how she feels.

[Martin0660]

For sure tight turns in a parking situation ... was more directed at getting part way in a turn and romping on it ... it’s mostly going to the the direction it’s pointed at that second despite steering input to the contrary. Things like low speed turning and parking it’s just better to take a couple of shots at it than beat it up.

For both skinnies and a spool, if you drive it like it’s got either skinnies or a spool your alright. The life lesson you have to learn is what those really mean. Although I’m sort of joking, I would not do a spool for something I drove a lot. Perfectly fine to drive to car cruises or out to get ice cream but not going to run errands with it.