Will this axle work?

[KooK]

I'm just making sure I got the right one here, it's supposed to be out of an explorer rear end that will fit a 99, but I want a positive identification of what it is before I start working on it. The axle tag states:

S621A
3L73 88 8609

Can anybody read this and tell me what it's out of? One axle tube measures approx. 17 inch, other measures approx 20 inch. Overall length is approx 4'6.

I'm trying to toss it on my 99 Ranger w/ an 8.8 (I'm rebuilding this one though because as you can see, it has 3.73s and I still have 4.10s in my front axle).

Pictures:

 

[CougarX]

Its from an V8 Explorer because it has the traction bars. It has a limited slip and 3.73 gears. This isn't going to bolt straight up to the Ranger without a little work, I assume you know that.

 

[KooK]

I think the biggest problem is going to be welding new leaf spring perches on the other side correct? Other then that, it looks like I need to reuse my old plate that the driveshaft bolts to, probably a little work on the brake lines, obviously a rebuild because of the gears.

Am I missing anything?

I'm almost wondering if I can make plates and use those torsion bars.

 

[CougarX]

Yes, you'll need new spring perches for sure. I'd suggest something like these to help prevent axle wrap since you're getting new ones anyway.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ANTI...002QQitemZ120167580462QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I'm not 100% sure how the shocks and sway bars mount on a Ranger but you may need to do something with these too. You might have to cut off the traction bar mounts to fit whatever you need for the Ranger. Some brake line work may also be needed to connect your chassis to the axle depending on what type and size of fittings you have. Are you keeping the disc brakes or swapping your drums over?

Axle shafts and the spider gears won't be compatible between the two axles since Rangers use 28 spline and Explorers use 31 spline. Ring and pinions (and carrier?) are the same however.

You may be able to use the traction bars but you might have to move the mounts because the frames on Explorers and Rangers aree different widths in the back.

 

[KooK]

I plan on keeping all the internals the same on the explorer Axle (31 spline, LSD, so on and so forth) and just rebuilding it with explorer parts. I'm going to use as little of the ranger axle as I need.

I'm staying with the disc in the rear for obvious reasons, I wont be reusing my ring and pinion gears however because the rear end is so loose on the ranger, I'll just pick up a set of Ford Racing 8.8 gears.

Also, thanks for the link on the spring perches! Unless I come across any other ones I feel may work better, those Anti-wrap ones will probably do the trick. Didn't even know they made those. Are my axle housing tubes the same width as a Dana 60 or something?

 

[CougarX]

edit: nevermind, read my own post wrong :

 

[rwenzing]

Also, thanks for the link on the spring perches! Unless I come across any other ones I feel may work better, those Anti-wrap ones will probably do the trick. Didn't even know they made those. Are my axle housing tubes the same width as a Dana 60 or something?

The ones in the eBay auction are for 3.5" diameter axle tubes and the Explorer axle is closer to 3.25" where the perches would be welded on. It shouldn't be hard to find something for the Ex diameter or just make your own. Whatever you get, you'll want to verify that they are set up for 2.5" wide leaf springs as used on your Ranger.