What are the easiest axle swaps?

stevenf · Sep 9, 2008

Are there any 8.8" rears that will fit my 89 Bronco II and just bolt in? Are there any D44 fronts that will pretty much do the same?

4x4junkie · Sep 9, 2008

You can bolt in a D35 front from an Explorer... its probably 95% of a D44's strength (will handle 35-37" tires on a BII).

As for the rear, nothing bolt-in there. Easiest swap will be the rear 8.8" also from an Explorer (has the same lug pattern). You'll have to relocate the leaf spring perches on it and add shock mounts to the axle.

odie1969 · Sep 9, 2008

you can pull a 8.8 out of a ranger with no mods. look for trucks with a 4x4 or the 4.0l. if you want a 8.8 without moding it. and with the front there is a d35 that is a good opt. to help with that you can place 44 knuckles on the 35 fairly easy. if you really want to do a d44 just look around the site there have been plenty of sas and a few ttb swaps.

4x4junkie · Sep 9, 2008

Ranger axle leaf perches are a different width, you'd have to move those too (and then you aren't getting the beefier 31 spline shafts the Ex 8.8 has).

(well, you could FORCE the Ranger axle to fit, they're about an inch or so off, but that's asking for problems with the leafspring and shackle mounts fatiguing)

odie1969 · Sep 10, 2008

4x4junkie said:
Ranger axle leaf perches are a different width, you'd have to move those too (and then you aren't getting the beefier 31 spline shafts the Ex 8.8 has).

(well, you could FORCE the Ranger axle to fit, they're about an inch or so off, but that's asking for problems with the leafspring and shackle mounts fatiguing)

o my bad. thanks junkie I didn't know there was a diff. there. So again my bad.

BlackBII · Sep 10, 2008

odie1969 said:
o my bad. thanks junkie I didn't know there was a diff. there. So again my bad.

Once you do things the fun(hard) way, you tend to remember them.

Yes, the spring perches's width is different, making it interesting when you dont have a welder at hand that day, and you just lugged an 8.8 a long way by hand :icon_thumby:

But yes, junkie was, D35 and 8.8 out of an explorer (31 spline)

stevenf · Sep 12, 2008

What year and model did the Dana 35 come on? What year explorer should I look for to get the 8.8? Are they disk brakes?

Sasquatch_Ryda · Sep 12, 2008

just look for a 91 - 94 explorer and you'll get a d35 front and a 31 spline 8.8 rear, if you want rear disc brakes grab an 8.8 out of a 95+ explorer.

85_Ranger4x4 · Sep 12, 2008

stevenf said:
What year and model did the Dana 35 come on? What year explorer should I look for to get the 8.8? Are they disk brakes?

All Explorers have 8.8's, '95+ have disk brakes (and usually better gearing). All 91-94 Explorers also have D35 front axles (conveniant huh?) The 95+ Explorers have a independant D35 front axle that you don't want. 4.0 Ranger's have a D35 front as well, the smaller engined Ranger's normally didn't until the mid 90's, they almost always had a hybrid D28/35.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4wd_Front_Axles.html

4x4junkie · Sep 12, 2008

To keep it simple:

Vehicles for a D35 front:
'91-'94 Explorer, '90-'97 4.0L V6 Ranger.

31 spline 8.8" rear:
'91-'01 Explorer ('95-'01 is disc)
Any FX4 Ranger WITH the Torsen L/S rearend

Like 85 mentions, the D35 can be found in some others as well, although these are not near as common as the above. You'll also need to be careful about what you're getting if the vehicle is not a '91 or '92 model, and does not have the 4.0L V6. Some of these may be D28s or hybrids of the two axles. There are steps for identifying them in the link in his post.

stevenf · Sep 15, 2008

And the D35 will hold up to a 302 or 351 on 32-33" tires?
Not sure if Im going V8 yet(mabey the 4.0L), just want to know what these can handle....

Also, What bolt pattern are these?

4x4junkie · Sep 18, 2008

Shouldn't be a problem unless you always like going insane with the throttle.

5x4.5" lug pattern (stock).

What are the easiest axle swaps?

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