Originally Posted By: Miller88
I've been toying around with the idea of getting a 4 cylinder 5 speed ranger and swapping in an 8.8 from the junkyard. I didn't realize even the 3.0 had the 7.5 rear end.
Yep. In a stock truck though, the 7.5 is fine. I have towed with mine, spun the tires, etc, and it's doing great at a little over 200K. The only repair has been a pinion seal. I4s and 3.0s can't really tow / haul enough weight to break a 7.5, so unless you put big tires on it or do serious off roading, it should last the life of the truck as long as it has fluid in it.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for an 8.8 from a Ranger/Explorer is that most have higher ratios such as 3.27 or 3.55, which aren't ideal behind an I4. 3.73 and 4.10 will probably be harder to find.
Therangerstation.com has very comprehensive information on the axles in these trucks and swapping them.