7.5 vs. 8.8 rear end

[BroncJr]

i have found both a 7.5 rear end w/ locking 4.10 gears and a 8.8 rear end with 3.07 gears and no locker. which should i use. both are under a two wheel drive ranger so modification is zilch. my truck is a 90 BII with 6" lift and 33'' tires. i currently have a 7.5 with 3.73 gears and no locker. thanks for any advice given.

[trkbilder]

I'd say it depends what you're going to do with it. Street driving to save gas go for the3.07. If you plan on wheelin then go for the 4.10's. I agree with getting a locker later if you're going to be wheelin'. And yes not everybody goes wheelin!!

[BroncJr]

i plan on using this vehicle as a daily driver with the desire to do weekend wheeling. Plus i was under the asumption that i needed 4.11 to 4.54 gears to get back to normal gas milage. right now i only get about 10-13 mpg and that is with a tornado installed. does this help in trying to give the best advise. i honestly don't know anything about gearing. i had originally accoured a explorer 8.8 with locking 3.73 gears and was given the estimate of $1800 for a shop to remove the 7.5 and rebuild the 8.8 plus install 4.10 gears (freebies). so this is why i am tring to figure out which axle to get. i don't have the money to just get whatever. im not even selling the BII anymore. what i do know is that right now with the setup it has i don't have any take off speed or acceleration. its like pushing a piano uphill with out anyhelp. thanks again for the help and advice. ya'll guys and gals are a great bunch.

[krazybronco]

if your not running tires over a 35 the 7.5 should be strong enough to handle them but if your running 4.10s on the d28 i would not go over a 33in tire at the most becuase you will be snapping axles like twigs

[ONEWYR]

You are not gonna be happy with either one of the axles you stated the ranger axles if I am not mistaken are a bit narrower than your b2.
you can fond an 8.8 with Limited slip and 3.73 which is a good medium for what you are wanting to do plus the axle will be wider
and 31 spline so it will be able to grow with you the d35 out of the 91-94 is a nice swap adds strength over the d28

[trkbilder]

:xyxthumbs:

[krazybronco]

dont forget the 8.8 out of rangers came with a 27 or 28 spline axle (cant remeber) but i do know if it comes out of an explorer it has a 31 spline axle which is alot stronger