Ford Ranger Rear Axle Assembly Swap

[Nelkor]

I'm looking at swapping out original rear axle assembly on my 1950 B-2 with a Ford Ranger 8.8 Axle assembly with 10" drum brakes. I have the original flathead motor, but installed a t-5 transmission. Anyone have similar experience?  If so any suggestions on things to consider?

thank you for your thoughts. 

[Merle Coggins]

I would be looking for gearing in the high 3's to low 4's to work with your T5. If you get into the mid to low 3's you will find your 5th gear to be near useless.

[59bisquik]

Head over the www.therangerstation.com. They have a tech section that will give you all the 8.8 widths, spline counts and gear ratios available. I would look for a 3.73 or 3.55 depending on tire height.

[NiftyFifty]

If you run bigger tires, the 3:55 is not a good option unless you have a very healthy motor...mine is a solid rebuild running a T5 and on a day with a lot of wind, I can't really stay in 5th with my 3:55's

[55 Fargo]

All good info here, with those who have done this and been there. Someone I know is running a 32 Chrysler with the big tall bias ply tires, 3.90 gears and a T5, this works very well with his 250 engine.

My truck has a 3.23 rear gears, in high winds and long hills you feel it, a 5th or 4th overdrive would not work well.

These engines seem to like to do the grunt work from 2500-3000 RPM, now going below 2000 up hill or ion strong wind seems to zap the powerband, regardless of the fact the torque max starts at 1600-1800 rpm.

[Nelkor]

I really appreciate the feedback. I recently rebuilt the 218, but will likely go with the 3.73 based on the suggestions.

One other question, did anyone upgrade/change the brake master cylinder following the axle swap?  Was thinking I may need or want to do that. Appreciate y'all's thought on that as well. 

Thanks again this gets me much further down the road on my project. 

[The Oil Soup]

I used axle from a 93 Jeep Cherokee (3.55) and the master cylinder and proportioning valve also.

[kansaspilot]

On ‎9‎/‎24‎/‎2016 at 8:42 AM, The Oil Soup said:

I used axle from a 93 Jeep Cherokee (3.55) and the master cylinder and proportioning valve also.

How did you mount the master cylinder? Are you still running factory brakes up front and how do they perform?

[The Oil Soup]

I have rusty hopes (member here) disc brakes up front and fabbed a bracket to accommodate the MC. Use the search function at the top of the page, plenty of members have done the update and have pics.