Front Half Shafts

[VegasTrojan]

Hi everybody. I'm in the market to buy a truck so I'm doing dome comparos. Looking for some feedback on front half shafts such as durability and problems after a lift. I would use the Ford performance Fox Shocks if I did. I see lots of half shaft probs, irregardless of brand, due to articulation after a lift. I see that Chevy offers Ball Spline Half Shafts for the ZR2. Is there anything like that for the Ranger? Thanks all.

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[I_smell_like_diesel]

None that I've seen yet. I think the Ranger is still in the "Honeymoon" period with serious aftermarket drivetrain upgrades like this. Maybe in the next few years as folks figure out the weak points of these trucks.

 

[Frenchy]

As long as you are not trying to push crazy angles on any of the driveline parts you should be good. I have the Old Man EMU lift kit on my truck and sitting on the ground the CV axles only have a slight angle. I have also noticed my upper ball joints are right in the center of travel so they have plenty of room to move up and down. Now I have heard that the F series pickups will eat up the front drive shafts when the front axle gets a major drip from a big lift kit but other than that you should be good.

 

[VegasTrojan]

As long as you are not trying to push crazy angles on any of the driveline parts you should be good. I have the Old Man EMU lift kit on my truck and sitting on the ground the CV axles only have a slight angle. I have also noticed my upper ball joints are right in the center of travel so they have plenty of room to move up and down. Now I have heard that the F series pickups will eat up the front drive shafts when the front axle gets a major drip from a big lift kit but other than that you should be good.

Here in the Mojave desert you see a lot of f-150's and a few Rangers with bent or broken tie rods. ZR2s and Taco's not so much. Those ball spline half shafts can bend 90" at the joints under full power. Sure would like to see those for a Ranger.

 

[VegasTrojan]

None that I've seen yet. I think the Ranger is still in the "Honeymoon" period with serious aftermarket drivetrain upgrades like this. Maybe in the next few years as folks figure out the weak points of these trucks.

Don't want to wait that long.

 

[HarryD]

With parts like these half shafts and heavy duty cast iron a-arms, etc., even when I am not an off-roader, I might be driving a ZR-2.
Their Bandaid actions on their 8-Speed transmission for 5-6 years turned me off!
I cannot tell you how much I Love my new Ranger and do not regret my purchase At All!

 

[Frenchy]

Here in the Mojave desert you see a lot of f-150's and a few Rangers with bent or broken tie rods. ZR2s and Taco's not so much. Those ball spline half shafts can bend 90" at the joints under full power. Sure would like to see those for a Ranger.

If the Rangers are getting bent tie rods then someone is doing something they probably shouldn't. I have been through some rough terrain in My Ranger out here in the Colorado Rockies and it does just fine.

 

[VegasTrojan]

With parts like these half shafts and heavy duty cast iron a-arms, etc., even when I am not an off-roader, I might be driving a ZR-2.
Their Bandaid actions on their 8-Speed transmission for 5-6 years turned me off!
I cannot tell you how much I Love my new Ranger and do not regret my purchase At All!

I don't know of you ever saw what the result was for the tranny problem but it turns out it was the fluid. Needed a higher moisture content.

 

[HarryD]

Maybe, but they went through many iterations of fixes: Different fluids, Torque Converters, Special Flush machinery and Processes, etc.
All this when they already had the Ford/Gm designed 10 Speed availlable. Anyways this went on for about 5-6 years.

 

[RoadBoss]

I haven't yet heard of anyone breaking CVs on the new ranger. even a few guys running 35s that seem to be indicating no issues.

I believe I saw stage3motorsports replaced a CV, but it was just because they tore the boot on an object, no issues with the joint.

 

[Sarge104]

I cannot give you good advice on what happens after a lift but I can say going through some very rough terrain in my un-modded Ranger left me very impressed with its design. I've gone though many places where only two or three tires touch the ground and it still drives great. Obviously I've not gone full tilt through these areas and spotters helped me though the more sketchy coulees.

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