Dumb radius arm question

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Tearing down my new axles right now to make them look less like rusted piles of crap.

Noticed on the new Dana 35 that one of the radius arms has a hole rusted through it. Also, it does not have the "underhand" front sway bar mounts like my current D28.

Are the radius arms interchangeable between the D28 and D35? If possible, I'd prefer to run my old arms due to less repair work needed.

 

[Shran]

Yes. 100% interchangeable, the ONLY difference is the lower shock mount. Most D28s have a tab and a bolt that goes through it instead of a stud. I feel that this is a better design anyway... I usually use D28 arms when I'm putting a new axle together.

Some D28s also have a sway bar attached inside the radius arms as well rather than in front of the axle like newer trucks - this can be used or removed, up to you.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yes. 100% interchangeable, the ONLY difference is the lower shock mount. Most D28s have a tab and a bolt that goes through it instead of a stud. I feel that this is a better design anyway... I usually use D28 arms when I'm putting a new axle together.

Some D28s also have a sway bar attached inside the radius arms as well rather than in front of the axle like newer trucks - this can be used or removed, up to you.

Copy. I have the tab style ones on my D28 arms, and I agree, they are a good design.

Primary reason I want to retain them is I have the sway bar mounted inside, and want to run the frame mounted one as well.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yup, interchangeable. I used my D28 arms on my D35 swap.

Also when you break the coil spring studs getting the D35 apart D28 ones of those will work if you flip them over (watch the length though, may rub on axleshaft inside the beam)

I think it was CJ sway bar disconnects that looked adaptable if you want to make the front sway bar easier to disconnect for trail rides... Rough Country had a set for $50 that looked promising when I was thinking about doing that.

 

[Shran]

FWIW you are going to have a hell of a time finding the front sway bar bushings, the D28 style, if you look for that part for a Ranger. It will NOT fit. I went rounds with NAPA, Carquest, Autozone and O'Reilly and Rock Auto before discovering that the correct part for the Ranger is listed to fit a 1982 Ford Granada at every store. FYI...may save you some time. O'Reilly was the cheapest at like $9 for the pair.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

FWIW you are going to have a hell of a time finding the front sway bar bushings, the D28 style, if you look for that part for a Ranger. It will NOT fit. I went rounds with NAPA, Carquest, Autozone and O'Reilly and Rock Auto before discovering that the correct part for the Ranger is listed to fit a 1982 Ford Granada at every store. FYI...may save you some time. O'Reilly was the cheapest at like $9 for the pair.

No joke. First try on amazon, $3.50. Got mine as a warehouse deal.

Prothane 6-1107-BL Black 1-1/8" Front Sway Bar Bushing Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00387O792/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZAO1DbRC9GB17

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yup, interchangeable. I used my D28 arms on my D35 swap.

Also when you break the coil spring studs getting the D35 apart D28 ones of those will work if you flip them over (watch the length though, may rub on axleshaft inside the beam)

I think it was CJ sway bar disconnects that looked adaptable if you want to make the front sway bar easier to disconnect for trail rides... Rough Country had a set for $50 that looked promising when I was thinking about doing that.

Yup, planned on doing essentially exactly that. Had them on one of my XJs - they rattle a bit every now and then, but are awesome to have when you need them.

Still planning on running both duals front and rear just to see what happens at first - I have em, so why not use em?

 

[Shran]

I don't see any reason not to run both.

Pretty sure I looked at that Prothane kit you found when I was looking for mine, but my sway bar was 1" diameter. That was probably what caused my problem to begin with.