Im just wondering, if my stock 85 ranger rear end will hold a 302 or 289. Also i was wondering which is easier if either to put in a ranger, 289 or 302? also im wondering if it is hard to put a EFI 302 in even though my rangers Carb.

Any info would be helpful thanks.

1) a stock motor and it you might can get away with your rear. but its still a chance.
2) 289 and 302 will go in just as easy as the other.
3)if its already carb'd, id say throw a carbd motor in, should be easier on ya. wont have to add all the extras that EFI requires.

7.5 was in the Mustang till 86 and it did fine under 300hp. The axles are the same 28 spline so they will be fine and the 302 EFI is a really easy swap with the factory harness or the Ford Street Rod harness.

thanks guys.

i read on here that the owner before me of my truck had to change the rear,dont know if it was just old or if caused by 302,im thinkin of goin with an 8.8

i wouldn't run slicks or anything real sticky, but i hammer my 7.5 and haven't broke that yet, but i did shear an imput shaft on my t-5 so far ;(

fuel injection is expensiveeeee ide go with carb to save money and be easier

gas is also expensive, if this is a dialy driver i would go fuel injection.

the 8.8 rear end is a solid peice if u can find one cheap i would upgrade the 4.0 rangers and explorers include them....so do the 5.0 mustangs,they are limited slip, i will be converting mine to the mustang diff soon.

the only prob with going with an 8.8 is it is still 28 spline... there isnt much difference in strength i ran a 7.5 with limited slip at the track on drag radials several time.. no prob... now i run a 9 inch becasue i have a 15X10 wheel and needed the rear cut down. as for injection... i have mild engine work and modifying injection can get expensive. if you are going stock injection is nice... and my mpg with a 5 spd and 3.47:1 gears gets me between 22-25mpg. i love mine as a daily driver. good luck with the work

My factory 7.5" had 267k miles. It never gave me trouble, but I could tell the backlash wasn't factory anymore. There was a pretty good bit of slop in there. After pulling the inspection plate, I found the backlash wasn't in the ring-n-pinion, but rather between the side gears and axles. The splines were wearing out so I KNEW under the extra torque of a V8, I'd eventually have trouble. I replaced it with an 8.8" from a 93 Ranger. Pre-93 Rangers have shorter rearends so the 93 RE pushes the tires out an extra 1.5" on both sides. Its not extremely noticeable, but should add a slight amount of stability.

Along with the 8.8", I got a rear anti-sway bar and 10" brakes. All nice upgrades to what I had and an easy bolt-in solution.

Just FYI...this thread is a few months old.
09-29-2005, 09:16 PM