Need Info On Ranger Rear End

[Nomadster]

I have a 97 Ranger 4x4 4.0l 5spd ext cab .I have rear end problems( worn out ) my mechanic says it looks like it had been run with little or no fluid at one time, gears are all blue..lot of wear (spacing between the gears) plus allot of whine.He pulled the #'s off the pinion & it's 373 gears .My question is how do i tell if it is 7.5 or 8.8 ring gears , or will this even make a difference if i replace the whole rear end. One forum i was in they say ALL 4.0L have 8.8's and that i should probably stay with the 8.8's being a 4x4 & 5 spd . As to what years will fit they say as long as it is 3.73 & 10 inch brakes most years will fit ; i hoping to get one out of a newer model if they will work.
Any info will be greatly appreciated. I want to start looking for one & i want to make sure i get one that is right .
Tks D.

 

[Tbars4]

...:scratch:...If you had your location next to your name, someone in your area may be able to help you out with locating a rear end...

...This is how to tell quickly if it's a 7.5 or 8.8 rear end..

...A straight swap with all the same parts as you now have would come from a 95-97 model with a 4.0..These axles can be also found in 93 and newer Rangers and 94 and newer Mazda B4000 models...

...Axle door codes will be for the 3.73 gears:

96 (open)
R6 (limited slip)

 

[Scott B.]

You could also measure the diameter of the ring gear...

 

[Nomadster]

Tks for the reply....are you saying that a COMPLETE rear end out of a 99, 2000, etc with 373 gears & 10 inch brakes Won't fit as a DIRECT SWAP & would it matter if it was a 7.5 or an 8.8 .....for the complete swap ?
Please bear with me as i'm not up to snuff on the inner workings .
Tks D.

 

[Tbars4]

...:scratch:...Still trying to figure out where you are located???

 

[Nomadster]

Hi , sorry I thought my location was coming up ...I'm in Nova Scotia Canada...a long way from you . I need to get a rear end for my truck & these forums are an excellent place to get the right info....that way it helps you know what your talking about when you go to buy one ...I appreciate all the info i can get no matter what part of the country it comes from.
Tks D.

 

[Tbars4]

...No problem...

...To add your location click on "User CP", "Edit your Details", and scroll down 3/4's of a page and enter the info under "City State"...

...Well, the before mentioned swap could save you some headaches as in when ordering parts in the future (same 28 splined axles and other parts are the same) and an easy swap...

...This thread will give you an idea of what the difference is in parts is going to a newer 8.8 axle out of an FX4 Ranger...
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2003/Out_with_the_old_in_with_the_new.htm

"So now I have all the parts to install the best rear Ford made for a Ranger into my truck, right, nope. I was intelligent enough to double check everything and found that the u-bolts and spring clamping plates on my truck would not be useable with the new axle. The stock 7.5” rear in my truck has tubes that measure 2 ¾” in diameter. The 8.8” rear I was installing has tubes that measure 3 ¼”. I needed to find a different set of plates and some new u-bolts."

 

[Nomadster]

Back again....Tks for the pics , i went out & checked mine and it is an 8.8 ; 3.73 ; 10" brakes
So do you know if the newer years will fit , one with less miles & hopefully less wear say 99, 2000 etc.
I'm hearing that the newer years will fit & that i should stay with an 8.8 as is already in my truck .
Tks again for all your help.
D.