Ford 7.5" Rear Axle Identification and Parts

The Ford 7.5" is a light-duty rear-only Salisbury axle. Ford and Mazda used it from the late 1970s into the 2010s under Rangers, Bronco IIs, Mustangs, Fox-body cousins, and a long list of rear-drive cars. It is not a tow or big-tire axle — that is the 8.8" or 9". People regear a 7.5" to fix a worn set, quiet a whine, or put crawl back into a Ranger or Mustang after a modest tire bump.

Shop Ford 7.5" ring and pinion and replace the crush sleeve any time the pinion nut comes off. One carrier covers every ratio we stock.

How to identify a Ford 7.5"

Do not confuse it with the 8.8" (same 10-bolt cover family, larger ring gear) or a Ford 9" (dropout 3rd member).

• 10 cover bolts
• 7.5" ring gear on (10) 7/16"–20 ring-gear bolts
• 1.626" pinion with 28 splines
• No carrier break — 2.73 through 4.56 use the same case
• Metal axle tag on the cover: ratio on the left, ring-gear size (7.5) in the middle
• Door-jamb axle code on the Safety Standard Certification label

Pull the tag before ordering. An “L” in the ratio (for example 3L73) means limited slip / Traction-Lok.

Gear ratios

We stock Ford 7.5" ring and pinion in 2.73, 3.08, 3.45, 3.73, 4.10, 4.11, and 4.56. 3.08 and 3.45 are common factory car ratios. 3.73 and 4.10/4.11 are the usual Ranger and Mustang rebuild picks. 4.56 is the numerically highest set we carry for this housing. Always use a new crush sleeve and a master install kit (bearings, shims, pinion seal) so preload and pattern are right.

Vehicle applications

The Ford 7.5" was commonly found on the following vehicles, rear axle only:

• 1985–1997 Ford Aerostar
• 1979–1980 Mercury Bobcat
• 1984–1990 Ford Bronco II
• 1979–1986 Mercury Capri
• 1979–2002 Lincoln Continental
• 1980–1997 Mercury Cougar
• 1978–1983 Ford Fairmont
• 1979–1982 Ford Granada
• 1979–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
• 2003–2004 Mercury Marauder
• 1980–1983 Lincoln Mark VI
• 1984–1992 Lincoln Mark VII
• 1979–2010 Ford Mustang (many 4-cyl and V6; 5.0 models often use the 8.8")
• 1983–2012 Ford Ranger
• 1980–1997 Ford Thunderbird
• 1979–1983 Mercury Zephyr
• 1994–2008 Mazda B3000
• 1994–2007 Mazda B4000