I recently purchased a 2002 F150 4x2 that was in an accident that resulted a broken axle-rear end housing. Are the rear end axle assemblies interchangeable between the 4X2 and the 4x4 if the gear ratios are the same? Also, will it work if I swap the rear leaf springs (as a pair) from a 4X4 to a 4X2? (I assume I'll get more lift with the 4x4 springs in my 4x2.) Please advise.

 

What you need to make sure of is it's the same rear end as what you had. If it's a 9.75 or 8.8 then it doesn't matter 2 or 4 wheel drive. Most likely not the same though, but possible. Newer 4X4's, espicially 5.4L's, have the 9.75 and 4X2's have an 8.8...but this is not a definate. You would also want the same gear ratio to keep your original performance, but they would physically swap if the rear end is the same size. As for leaf springs, there the same. The 4 wheel drives have that 3" block with the travel bump stop thing on it to gain the additional lift. Did that help?

 

Thank you

 

What about going from an 8.8 to a 9.75? I have the part ready for install but need to know whether any other additional parts are required. I was told I'll need a new yoke, new brake lines, other stuff.. This is more complicated than I thought. You know it's bad when the shop that's going to do it for you aren't sure themselves LOL.

 

9.75 requires that the driveshaft be shortened up a little bit due to the longer pinion length. It also uses a larger drive flange than the 8.8 as I recall. The different sized brake lines might be due from changing from drums to disks or vice versa.