What 9” for ranger?

[Thefuntruck]

Hey guys,

I’m sure this has been gone over here somewhere but I can’t find it with search.

Looking to build a 9” for a ranger. From what model and what width should I be looking for?
I see a lot from old f100’s, looks pretty easy to truss it and add mounts. I don’t know much about the axles or third members either…
A few shops have said just buy a new housing and save the headache. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Appreciate the help.

 

[FENDERFAB]

Hey guys,

I’m sure this has been gone over here somewhere but I can’t find it with search.

Looking to build a 9” for a ranger. From what model and what width should I be looking for?
I see a lot from old f100’s, looks pretty easy to truss it and add mounts. I don’t know much about the axles or third members either…
A few shops have said just buy a new housing and save the headache. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Appreciate the help.

Really depends how much you plan to build the truck and what your goals are with it, and how much you want to spend!

If your just looking for a more mild upgrade- an econoline 9" with a truss will do well in a mild build. These come usually with 31 spline axles. Lots of companies sell trusses and different mounts for them depending if you are going leaf spring or link.

If your looking for something bigger- a 3.5" aftermarket housing with 35 spline axles would be the next step.

If your going full kill race truck big motor tires etc then you would probably want to look into a full floater setup.

 

[Thefuntruck]

That’s really helpful.

Keeping 64’s for the foreseeable future. I’m worried about the 8.8 axle clips breaking. Seen it a few times and it’s just in the back of my mind.

I would assume the econoline 9” would wider then an explorer 8.8 like I currently have.
Would like to match or get closer to the front trackwidths.

Appreciate the input man.

 

[84Prerunner]

Axle shafts aren’t very expensive if you wanted to just bite the bullet and do 35 spline right off the bat.
8.8s are pretty strong though. The axle tube ripping free from the center section is usually the weak link. Just raced a full season on an untrussed 8.8

 

[Thefuntruck]

That is pretty impressive. I welded the axle tubes on my 8.8 when I redid the spring perches, shock mounts, etc. I have a giant truss I'm planning to put on this off season. Maybe I focus energy in a different direction then. Is it worth buying the better axles for the 8.8?

 

[84Prerunner]

That is pretty impressive. I welded the axle tubes on my 8.8 when I redid the spring perches, shock mounts, etc. I have a giant truss I'm planning to put on this off season. Maybe I focus energy in a different direction then. Is it worth buying the better axles for the 8.8?

Only way I’d do aftermarket axles in an 8.8 is if it was with c clip eliminators.

 

[BigCountry762x39]

as a ford guy grab an explorer 8.8 should basically bolt in with some cutting/ grinding to move some mounts off. and the right ones have a factory locking rear differential and disc brakes.

but guess it depends on your plans or what you want to do with the ranger

 

[Thefuntruck]

I have an exploder 8.8 with locker and I welded the axle tubes when I redid all the mounts for the spring under setup.
I’m mainly just concerned with breaking the c clips.
Probably just cross that bridge if it happens.
If I’m going to redo another rearend I would probably link the truck.