Driveshaft Confusion - General Ranger Discussion - Welcome To Our Ford Ranger Forum

1^st Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

Hello. I'm in the process of putting a 5.0 V8 in my 2000 Ranger. Trying to figure out the driveshafts. The truck is a 2000 Ranger XLT 4x4 crew cab, 4" suspension lift, 3" body lift. I'm using the engine and transmission out of a 2000 Explorer Limited 5.0 AWD. The transfer case will be a 4406E out of a 1999 Ford F-150. Evidently I can use the front driveshaft from a 97-03 F-150 with a conversion joint, but I'm not sure if that will work with the superlift. It has a superlift driveshaft in it now. And for the rear driveshaft I know i'm going to need the F-150 shaft, just curious if anyone knows how much it will need shortened.

Thanks in advance!

____________________
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4
3" Performance Accessories Body Lift
4" Superlift Suspension Lift
Fox Racing Coilovers, Eibach Springs
Camburg Heim Inner Tie Rods
FR36S Leaf Springs
4.56 Yukon Gears
Much More

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 04:22 pm

2^nd Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

the f150 front driveshaft will work because the transmission and transfer case you use behind the 5.0L are the same as the ones in the 4.6 F-150
The rear driveshaft you just need to measure from the flange or (slip yoke) to the rear axle flange, then take that measurement and the F-150 driveshaft to your local driveline shop

The F150 shaft uses a tapered tube, so they will have to re tube the entire shaft = $$$$ usually around $250-400
There are many F150 lenghts and there are many Ranger lenghts so it is best to build each rear shaft after the drivetrain and transfer case are in the truck
I have also had to shorten the front F-150 shaft by about 1/2" of so. To do this you take it apart at the slip yoke and cut a little off each end.....

Last edited on Thu Oct 25th, 2018 04:23 pm by 410customs

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 04:29 pm

3^rd Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

So it has to be from a 4.6L for the front? Not a 5.4L? And it will need to be shortened? Will it work fine with superlift?

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 04:47 pm

4^th Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

Did the 4.6 ever come with a 4R70W?

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 07:24 pm

5^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

it should work just fine with your superlift
The front shaft will likely not need shortening, but if it did its easy to do in house with a grinder

Yes the 4.6 F150 used the 4r70w trans
The front shaft should come from a 4.6L F150 or Expedition

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2018 08:17 am

6^th Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

410customs wrote:
it should work just fine with your superlift
The front shaft will likely not need shortening, but if it did its easy to do in house with a grinder

Yes the 4.6 F150 used the 4r70w trans
The front shaft should come from a 4.6L F150 or Expedition
Yeah I accidentally ordered the front shaft out of a 5.4, but I just ordered the 4.6 one. So I shouldn't need to transfer the dual cardan from the superlift front shaft to the F-150 shaft?

Already liked -

Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2018 08:58 am

7^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

I have never had to no
We have a two Rangers around here, V8 with 4406 T case AND 4" drop bracket lift, these are running the 4.6 front shaft and no vibrations..

Dang dude! If I knew you already had ordered the 5.4 shaft I would have said to keep it and try it first before ordering a 4.6 shaft...most people get this stuff at the local wrecking yards however it is easier to get stuff online these days too. Can you cancel one of the orders? the 5.4 shaft will probably fit

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2018 10:02 am

8^th Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

Alright, so non-shortened stock 4.6 front shaft. What about the rear? I ordered one out of a extended cab F-150. Any idea how much it will need shortened?

Already liked -

Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2018 11:49 am

9^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

about 12" but it is no matter because they are literally going to replace the entire tube, so they do not remove material, they remove the entire tube and add new tube from end to end
The stock tube is tappered making it impossible to just shorten. The best driveshafts to use are 4.6 expedition in 97-98 when they still had a solid rer axle, this driveshaft is straight and will bolt into 4 door explorers and most rangers (I forget which one but I think its longbed) that have been converted to the 4406 t case
It can get confusing when you ask them to remove a certain amount, driveline shops want to know your flange to flange distance at ride height to get it 100% every time

If your tcase uses a slip yoke rear flange (4406 does) then you want to install the slip yoke, press it all the way in as far as it can go, then pull it out 1.5-1.75" and measure flange to flange for the driveshaft flange to flange length
This is all the "plunge" depth you need from ride height, about 1.5"

Last edited on Fri Oct 26th, 2018 11:54 am by 410customs

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 31st, 2018 03:56 pm

10^th Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

410customs wrote:
about 12" but it is no matter because they are literally going to replace the entire tube, so they do not remove material, they remove the entire tube and add new tube from end to end
The stock tube is tappered making it impossible to just shorten. The best driveshafts to use are 4.6 expedition in 97-98 when they still had a solid rer axle, this driveshaft is straight and will bolt into 4 door explorers and most rangers (I forget which one but I think its longbed) that have been converted to the 4406 t case
It can get confusing when you ask them to remove a certain amount, driveline shops want to know your flange to flange distance at ride height to get it 100% every time

If your tcase uses a slip yoke rear flange (4406 does) then you want to install the slip yoke, press it all the way in as far as it can go, then pull it out 1.5-1.75" and measure flange to flange for the driveshaft flange to flange length
This is all the "plunge" depth you need from ride height, about 1.5"
Little update. Cab is off and engine, trans, and 4406 is in. Front driveshaft is too long. Rear driveshaft hits fuel tank. Any suggestions?

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 31st, 2018 06:08 pm

11^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

cut front driveshaft down
Remove plastic guard from fuel tank and push t case over to pass side as far as you can
It should be close to the fuel tank but not hit it
Any pics?

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Nov 1st, 2018 03:53 pm

12^th Post

ILivermore
Member

Joined: Tue Aug 7th, 2018

Location: South Dakota USA

Posts: 90

Name: Isaac ...

Occupation: Service Adviser ...

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 90

410customs wrote:
cut front driveshaft down
Remove plastic guard from fuel tank and push t case over to pass side as far as you can
It should be close to the fuel tank but not hit it
Any pics?
Got a different driveshaft out of a 1997 Ford Expedition. It is too short (which isn't that big of a deal), but it has a dual-cardan joint at the transfer case joint. Will this harm anything? Truck has a 4" suspension lift

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Nov 1st, 2018 05:18 pm

13^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

Posts: 6429

Name: Jim ...

Occupation: 5 axis cnc programmer ...

Interests: RBV's ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 6429

It should help IMO. It will correct any pinion angle snafu's caused by lifting and moving things around AND should keep the driveshaft from vibrating even if the angles are not optimal.

____________________
00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! JalapeÃ±o
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
The future belongs to those who show up.

Already liked - 1 like likes

410customs

Posted: Thu Nov 1st, 2018 07:11 pm

14^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

bingo
I love having a collection of driveshafts, options are nice to have when customizing

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -