Has anyone tried using the 8.8 Disc Brake Rear end in their 55? I have read in a couple of places that you can drill out the plug and press the driver side out and replace with a p***enger side and it would be about 56.5". Which would be perfect in the 55.
The earlier Ranger was only 56 5/8, but it has drums. Its been so long, I dont remember when the Ranger was made wider, 1990 about 3/4 of the way through the model year? There was one time we built one model year for a year and a half and the next model year for only a few months.
Everything you could ask for can be found here:http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml
I put an explorer 8.8 rear end under my 54 Vicky. I had the housing cut down and used a short side axle out of another rear end. It came with disk brakes and positive traction. Ralph
I looked at that Jeff and it has a lot of useful information but I am looking for info about swapping the driver side out for a p***enger and getting it around 56.5". Maybe some of the links but haven't checked all of them yet
Take a look here http://www.mustangii.net/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14902 Also just do a google search for narrowing a 8.8 you won't believe how many diy are cutting them down. I paid $80.00 for a local off road shop to cut mine down a bargain. Ralph
I have one in my 55, I love it. You can check my album, I believe I have some pic's. If I remember correctly it ended up being 56-5/8".
Ranger drum brake rear disc brake upgrade with stock Ford parts:http://www.fordrangerforum.com/engi...c-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html
Have you set up your rear brake lines for your 8.8? I'm trying to get a decent material list.thanks sunliner
More or less. It's been a while since I worked on it. Pretty sure I bought a new T-fitting for the driver side tube. Then picked up two stock Explorer flex hoses for, I think, the driver side. One side is short and the other has some other **** attached to it, so rather than buy a right and left I just bought two of the shorter, simpler ones. Then I bent up some hard line and connected everything in basically the same exact arrangement as the stock '54 lines. I realize that might not be too helpful considering that I don't remember enough to be specific. I'll try to check my pictures from back then for reference. Also, I remember thinking at the time that I should have just bought a couple of short SS lines with -3AN fittings instead. They would have screwed right into the calipers and the hard lines and been cleaner than the stock hoses, which are kinda bulky and ugly (but cheaper than SS). Edit: found a pic of my lines - hope it helps.
If you were asking me, I bought a Lokar rip-off e-brake kit on ebay that I am going to use someday. It's been in the package for a couple of years now because life got in the way of my build. I can say for sure that the kit with the right Explorer-type clips works perfectly because my dad and I installed an 8.8" and that e-brake setup in his car. It works with the stock e-brake handle/pulley setup and everything.
"Also, I remember thinking at the time that I should have just bought a couple of short SS lines with -3AN fittings instead. They would have screwed right into the calipers and the hard lines and been cleaner than the stock hoses, which are kinda bulky and ugly (but cheaper than SS)" .You did it right.....you do not want hard lines connected to the calipers. Drums, yes...calipers, no.
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