I am planning to run the 7.5 rear out of my '69.5 in my '73 with the 2.3L. I plan to do this in conjunction with an aluminum drive shaft and a T5 trans, synthetic fluids throughout. Being light weight and efficient is the goal here for maximum driveability and economy. The main problem is, the 7.5 has a 2.83:1 gear in it, which I'm thinking wouldn't be very good with the overdrive in the T5. I'm wondering if a 3.55 gear for an 80's to mid 90's Mustang with a 7.5 will fit in the older '69 7.5? I ask because I have a totaled out '01 Ranger with a 3.55 7.5 rear just sitting around doing nothing. I know the Mustang gears will swap into the Ranger rear, so that gear should swap into the Maverick rear assuming it is the same as the Mustang. I'm figuring this is probably a fat chance that anyone has tried this, since most probably just scrap the 7.5 in favor of an 8 inch... but maybe someone knows...
Should work, but my 7.5 experience is limited to say the least. As far as I know, Ford only produced one 7.5 rear, although, being Ford, probably changed something along the line.
The older Rangers had a speed sensor ring bolted on with the ring gear, Don't know if the 01 has it or not, but that'll be the sticking point if it is. My 89 Ranger had this ring.
it wont work that older diff is actually a 7.25. they share no parts with the 7.5. the only thing avaible is bearings for that diff. as for rear ratio i would go with something around a 3.31 or 3.27. you could take that ranger diff and have the long side of it shortend to take the short sides axle and use that. the newer 6 cyl mustangs use 3.31s in there 7.5s. i think i even have a used set that i would send to you for just the shiping costs.
I have a 3.31 7.5 rear sitting in my yard out of my 2006 Mustang ... you can have it ... but you need to take the entire rear, axles, etc ..
Thanks for the info, guys. The Ranger does have the speed sensor on the rear. Dan, thanks for the offer, but I think I'm going to pass for now.
just a little trivia, the speed sensor on the ranger diff can be used to drive a elec speedo from autometer or vdo.
I'm using the "red line" speedometer from my '69.5 and a '93 Mustang speed sensor and speedometer cable.
