Gearing Questions

Yup, you either have to put 4.88 gears in the front, or just return to the rear back to the stock 3.55.

Would need a new ring and pinion, maybe some shims, new seals, all the normal stuff.

Thanks. Talking to people at work they were worried about clearance issues in the front housing. From what I understand, the gear sets are the same size, just the teeth in the gears are cut differently

Kapt

I recently got a 96 Bronco. The previous owner changed the rear end to a nine inch, and had 4.88 gears installed. The front d44 is still stock. I'm wondering what I need to do so I can make my gearing the same. Can I put 4:88 gears in the front? If so, what exactly do I need?

I need to see pics of the front diff when it's opened up.LOL... did they use it on ICE only?

It's going to be a bit before it gets opened up. My wallet is a bit thin at the moment. I'm in research mode at this point for a few weeks or so

Has 4wd never been engaged? Not directed at you, but that asinine. In fact, it's asiten. If it has a front diff and it wasn't changed to match the rear, unless it was a short-term solution to a problem, like he was going to do one then the other the next week without driving it, that's stupid. He/she either just turned their 4WD into a 2WD, or potentially ruined parts of the drivetrain, and tires.

BTW, yes, you can and should change the front to match the rear. I'm running 4.88 in a vehicle and it's a perfect match to 33" - 35" tires.

AcesandEights

Has 4wd never been engaged? Not directed at you, but that asinine. In fact, it's asiten. If it has a front diff and it wasn't changed to match the rear, unless it was a short-term solution to a problem, like he was going to do one then the other the next week without driving it, that's stupid. He/she either just turned their 4WD into a 2WD, or potentially ruined parts of the drivetrain, and tires.

BTW, yes, you can and should change the front to match the rear. I'm running 4.88 in a vehicle and it's a perfect match to 33" - 35" tires.

I'm just glad he told me they were different before I tried four wheel drive and broke it. He said he was going to regear the front and never got around to it. I ordered a ring and pinion this morning. Couple weeks and it should be fixed. Now I'm wondering if I should leave the hubs free and put it in four wheel drive and listen for noises

You will also need a new/different differential carrier to go from 3.55 to 4.88 in the 44.

If you're changing the carrier, I'd opt for putting in a limited slip at the same time. If there is a True Trac available for that diff, I'd highly, as in can't recommend highly enough, the True Trac.

Oldhippie

You will also need a new/different differential carrier to go from 3.55 to 4.88 in the 44.

God I was hoping I wouldn't have to. My wallet's going to get mad at me lol

FYI, and you may know this, a True Trac/locker acts as a carrier, so if you're remotely interested in putting in a limited slip, the difference in cost may be small enough that it makes sense to do it now...with a True Trac.

Interesting thread. I don't now a thing about any of this, which is why I paid $$$ for a Badlands Sasquatch--I let Ford engineering think alll this through for me. This type of expertise calls for $$$ plus expertise. $$$ I have. Expertise I don't.
Good luck with your rebuild (and wallet!) Kapt!

There are lots of good used 44 parts laying around in folks garages/sheds. I would post the “wanted“ threads in all the truck forums, Ford, chevy, dodge, jeep all use 44s, just get the right axle spline count (you could even swap in your spiders if the side gears are wrong (of course if going limited slip/locker that won’t work).

Which carrier do I need? Anyone know a part number by chance? I have no idea where to even start looking
This one?
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/D4...L1ZxxjwipOrsbb1fS6O1la8FKbR4ly_RoC8f4QAvD_BwE

Anyone?

Yes it looks right but I would call and make sure.

What are you planning to do with her?

For a lift and bigger tires (35") I would suggestion 4:56 for both front and rear. No need for a new carrier for the front with 4:56.

If you plan to do moderate wheeling ... than as suggested a locker is nice.

If she is just daily/pavement queen with a few off-road excursions a year ... than put the 3:55 all around and enjoy a little better MPG.

Plenty of OBS F150's for sale or on the yards for about as much as a shop would charge you to re-gear the front and rear.

Anything North of the Carolinas the body and frame just rot out ..... but the drive train can last another 10 or 20 years.

You could pick up a rust bucket F150 4x4 1996 for around $2,500. Pulling the entire TTB and rear end is an easy pull and replace job. keep the motor/tranny/ and tcase for spare parts ... and still get a few hundred at the scrap yard.

Now you can farm out or slowly rebuild the spare motor/tranny and install when needed.

Another option would be a 1996 F250 4x4 with a 5.8L and a solid front axel ..... that is where things start to get interesting.

I'm really leaning towards putting a stock rear end back in it. I think that would be the easiest and least expensive way to get four wheel drive functional.

So, 5.8, automatic transmission. What's the stock gearing in this thing?

There may be a tag on the differential housing, or an axle code on the VIN tag on the door jamb. It should say "Axle" and then have some "code". It could be a letter and number, or number, something like 19 or D6, H8.