What Ford vehicles have a 7.5 rear end?
The 7.5-inch rear axle is not a current production option for Ford models; it appears primarily in older, light-duty Ford trucks and vans.
Historically, the 7.5-inch rear end showed up in a handful of Ford light-duty vehicles dating from the late 1960s to the 1990s—most notably the F-Series pickups (F-100 and early F-150), the Ranger, the Bronco, and the Econoline (E-Series) vans. Availability varied by year and market, and Ford gradually shifted to larger axles for most applications.
Historical use of the 7.5-inch rear axle
Here are the Ford models where the 7.5-inch rear end is commonly noted in older documentation and owner reports.
- Ford F-100/F-150 pickups (late 1960s–1980s) – light-duty configurations sometimes used the 7.5" rear axle.
- Ford Ranger (first-generation through early second-generation, roughly 1983–1992) – certain trims and options featured the 7.5" rear end.
- Ford Bronco (classic generation, roughly 1966–1986) – specific drivetrain setups included the 7.5" rear axle.
- Ford Econoline (E-Series) vans (1980s–1990s) – used the 7.5" rear end in various configurations.
Note: Availability varied by market, engine, and drivetrain configuration. For precise specs on a given vehicle, consult the build sheet, VIN decode, or a Ford parts catalog for that year.
Modern status and how to identify
Today, Ford’s mainstream trucks typically use the 8.8" or 9.75" rear axles, with the 7.5" largely found only in older, used vehicles or specific legacy-production parts. If you’re evaluating a classic Ford with the 7.5" axle, here’s how to check.
- Inspect the differential housing or axle tag for a rear-axle code; some labels indicate "7.5" or a specific axle option. If the code isn’t explicit, cross-check with the VIN/build sheet.
- Measure or compare the axle tubes and mounting patterns to distinguish a 7.5" from larger axles (the 7.5" has distinctive dimensions and mounting layouts in older designs).
- Use the VIN, build sheet, or Ford’s official data sources (dealer, Ford Customer Service, or archived catalogs) to confirm the axle option for that specific vehicle.
Verifying the axle type is important when evaluating a used Ford, as the 7.5" is not a modern standard and may affect parts availability and performance considerations.
Implications for buyers and enthusiasts
For collectors or buyers considering older Ford trucks or vans, the presence of a 7.5" rear end signals a classic, light-duty setup that can be more affordable to maintain but may have limitations in power handling and aftermarket support compared with newer eight- and nine-inch axles.
Summary: Ford’s 7.5-inch rear axle was a feature of older, light-duty models such as the F-Series (F-100 and early F-150), Ranger, Bronco, and Econoline vans. It is not common in Ford’s current production lineup, where larger rear axles are standard. When shopping for a used example, verify the axle type via the vehicle’s documentation, stamping, or VIN data to ensure you understand maintenance needs and parts availability.
How do you tell if you have a 7.5 or 8.5 rear end?
You can tell the difference between a 7.5 and 8.5 rear end by looking at the shape of the cover, the shape of the axle tubes, and the protrusions on the bottom of the housing. The 8.5 has a round cover with larger, rectangular protrusions at the bottom, while the 7.5 has a more squared or oval cover with smaller, crescent-shaped lugs at the bottom. Additionally, the axle tubes on an 8.5 are flared or stepped down as they enter the pumpkin, while the 7.5 has straight axle tubes.
This video shows how to visually identify a GM 10 bolt rear axle, including how to distinguish between a 7.5 and 8.5 rear end: 53sandhotrodshopYouTube · Dec 14, 2023
Visual differences
- Cover shape: An 8.5 has a round rear cover, whereas the 7.5 has a more squared-off or oval cover.
- Axle tubes: The tubes on an 8.5 will appear to swell or flare out just before entering the differential housing. The 7.5 has straight axle tubes.
- Bottom protrusions: The 8.5 has larger, rectangular "ears" or protrusions at the bottom of the housing (around the 5 and 7 o'clock positions). The 7.5's protrusions are smaller and more crescent-shaped.
Other methods
- Measure the bolts: On some GM 10-bolt rears, the distance between the bottom center bolt and the nearest bolt on either side can be used for identification.
- 8.5: The distance is approximately 3.753.753.75 inches.
- 7.5: The distance is approximately 3.253.253.25 inches.
- Check the vehicle's RPO codes: Look for a sticker in the driver's side doorjamb or glove box. The codes listed under "Axle" or "RPO" will specify the factory-installed rear end. This is the most accurate method if the rear end is original.
What Mustangs have the 7.5 rear end?
All '79-85 Mustangs featured the 7.5 rear ends.
- From '86-2010 the Ford Mustang 8.8 rear end went into all V8 Mustangs (5.0L, 4.6L & 5.4L)
- The '99-01′ & '03-04′ Mustang SVT Cobras were equipped with an Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) that used the Ford 8.8” differential.
How to tell the difference between a Ford 7.5 and 8.8 rear end?
I was right 88 this is a T-Ird with a 3.8 V6. So ah Oh did this have independent rear suspension. It did look at that.
How wide is a Ford Ranger rear end?
The width of a Ford Ranger rear end varies by model year, with the Ford 8.8-inch axle being the most common for many models. The width is 56.5 inches for 1990-1992 models and 58.5 inches for 1993-2011 models. For earlier models, a 7.5-inch rear end was often used, which has a narrower width of 51 inches between the end of the tubes.
| Rear End Type | Width Between Mounting Surfaces | Width Between End of Tubes |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5-inch (earlier models) | Varies | 51 inches |
| 8.8-inch (1990-1992) | 56.5 inches | Not specified |
| 8.8-inch (1993-2011) | 58.5 inches | Not specified |
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_iN4laYe9GoqA9u8Ph56J4Qg_120';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();
Note: Some 2010-2011 models have the 8.8-inch axle, which is the same width as the 1993-2009 models.
