9 inch swap on a ranger

[deluxfab]

I have a 93 extra cab ranger with a 2 piece drive shaft and im running the g50 race pack. im putting in a 9 inch out of a bronco and using the stock case. does any1 know exactly what i need to use the 1330 u-joints and exactly need to be doen to the drive shaft? ive called a few places but havent gotten any helpful info and i dont have the time to drive my truck to the drive shaft shop. thanks alot. matt

[Giant Geoff]

The yoke on a 9” is longer, so you got to get your driveline shorten ($100. - $150.) and get a conversion joint for $30.

An 8.8 will last me 2-3 years and replace it with a 2nd 8.8 getting 2-3 more years out of that, only switch to a 9” when you link it. The only problem with the width is with are eye looking at it and the best cure for that is don’t look at it and go run the hell out of it.

[deluxfab]

so if u get a 8.8 off an f-150 will it bolt right up with no drive shaft modifications? my truck has a ranger 8.8 on it right now

[Giant Geoff]

No, use up the stock 8.8 that is in your truck now and when you kill that one then replace it with anther stock 8.8, it’s great because it’s cheep and bolts right up. Don’t make a big deal that it’s not wide enough and looks funny, the way I tolerate that is don’t look at it.

If you’re linking your truck then it's good to do the 9”, if your keeping it leaf sprung then stay with 8.8.

It’s your time and money; I like to keep both on a leach.

Doing things to your truck has to make a big improvement to be worth doing, if your end up with a lot of doing and little improvement, then it’s not worth it.

[CHASE550]

No, use up the stock 8.8 that is in your truck now and when you kill that one then replace it with anther stock 8.8, it’s great because it’s cheep and bolts right up. Don’t make a big deal that it’s not wide enough and looks funny, the way I tolerate that is don’t look at it.

If you’re linking your truck then it's good to do the 9”, if your keeping it leaf sprung then stay with 8.8.

It’s your time and money; I like to keep both on a leach.

Doing things to your truck has to make a big improvement to be worth doing, if your end up with a lot of doing and little improvement, then it’s not worth it.

I was told almost the same thing by Geoff about 3 years ago and I didn't listen, he said cage and go play, then beams and go play, finally links and go play. Well I haven't played in almost 2 years because I let the build snow ball and now it green sticker-ed, ha ha dammit I should have listened.

[deluxfab]

this is on a fully built truck that im racing next season. im running the g50 race pack on the truck with 3.0 4 tube bypasses. the stock ranger 8.8 will not last on truck and the front of the truck has a 5x5.5 lug pattern ide like it to all be the same. i was just considering using the 8.8 off of an f-150 because it is wider,has 5x5.5 lug pattern and has 31 slpine axles, this way i can save for a fully build 9 inch that i can also use in the future when the truck gets linked. the front of the truck is 85 inches wide with 8 inch glass and the rear has 10 inch bedsides with dual spares laying down. even if the stock 8.8 would work it would look horrible

[Giant Geoff]

I started building trucks a lot time ago and then I worked for Prep By Jake and he showed me how to build buggies and one thing I learned about buggies is you mostly have to build then one time to its final level some what, and the trucks you can be on a constant progression of growth, this way give you a chance to use the truck on your way to your goals.

Saying, “I just want to build it right the first time” is a myth. A lot of wall and mind sets must be broken down, one way or anther. haha it's true.

Doing 1 thing to your truck at time keeps you stocked; having an ending period to each stage gives you that sense of accomplishment, and going on a trip with that upgrade gives you fuel to do the next single upgrade to a different part of the truck.

So you continue to being happy, on you way to your goals.

Amen.