i need help with finding straight axle, 86 ranger 4x4

[Ty84]

ive got an 86 ranger 4x4, long bed, single cab. im searching for a solid front axle that will fit nicley underneath with a 5 lug pattern and about 50 inches wide, does anyone know of any axles that fit the bill? ive been looking but keep coming up empty handed... any help is much appreciated

 

[4x4junkie]

50" is much too narrow, you need something at minimum 58" wide.

The early Bronco D44 is about that wide... The D44 from a '80s Jeep Wagoneer is I think 62" or thereabouts. Both will require different wheels however unless you swap hubless '70s Dodge outers on it.

Have you looked at just bolting a D35 from an Explorer under there? It's about the same strength as the above two and would put an end to broken D28 shafts just the same.

 

[Ty84]

58 inches?? i measured my rear axle from brake to brake (inner side of each) and it was about 50 inches... idk if thats the wrong spot to measure it from? and how much am i looking aat spending on a D44? i actually did snap my D28 about three days ago haha i just really dont like the way D28-35s work.. ide rather go with a solid axle, thanks for your help btw

 

[Ty84]

i was just looking at wagoneers and it looks like the pumpkin is on the wrong side... what year of wagoneer are you talking about because i thought they stopped making them after chrystler took over jeep right?

 

[4x4junkie]

1980-1991 Jeep Wagoneer (I think '91 was the last year for the Waggy).
Dana44 driverside diff, low-pinion, 5-297X axle u-joints, 6x5.5" lug, SUA leaf suspension.

Some, but not all years had a center-disconnect you'll want to stay away from, I can't recall which years though.

Oh also, axle width is always measured at the wheel mounting surfaces (WMS-WMS).

 

[Ty84]

awesome, thanks for your help man, i actually just found out that my cousin has a dana 35 from his explorer and i might just grab that and put it in for now... how has your dana 35 preformed on trail? i never really liked my 28, i always worried that it would break, then it did snap about 3 days ago...

 

[bobbywalter]

the d35 will work great with sane tires and sub 270 hp

 

[Ty84]

yeah im going with 33 inchers for now and its just a v6 but i was planning on a 302 conversion and 35 inchers in the future, you think itd hold up just fine?

 

[angelfly]

yeah im going with 33 inchers for now and its just a v6 but i was planning on a 302 conversion and 35 inchers in the future, you think itd hold up just fine?

Really depends on how hard you are on it and what you do with it. If u DD it and wheel it on the weekends, then id say go with the 35 way less work and as far as i know none to very little custom work involved

If u drop i v8 and 35s on it id be more worried about the 7.5 in the rear then the 35 up front thats for sure!!! Id say atleast go to a 9in but i beat my shit pretty good, so if i was you id look into a newer 8.8 swap maybe one out of a 96 or newer explorer and score one with disk brakes

with the 2.9??? u have u will be all good but a 302 will be pushin it!!! hope this helps bud See ya on the trail

 

[Ty84]

didnt the 80s mustangs sometimes have an 8.8? cause i have two mustange rear ends that i was thinking about using... also do you know if the D35 is much wider than the 28? thanks for all your help btw!

 

[dangerranger83]

Ya its a bit wider but still bolts right in.

 

[Ty84]

ok, so if i use one of the mustang axles for the rear which is a little wider too, and D35 in front i think itd be a nice set up, you agree?

 

[angelfly]

ok, so if i use one of the mustang axles for the rear which is a little wider too, and D35 in front i think itd be a nice set up, you agree?

I think ya it would be a nice setup only if it was an 8.8 or a 9 i dont know and if it had discs. . . and i mean its gonna either cost more or take more time to swap it in verse an 8.8 from a truck or explorer. . .

Somebody else will hopefully chime in on this but i do know if u look in the tech library under axles u can find a list of axles to get 9ins and i think 8.8s from might wanna check that out

 

[Ty84]

awesome thanks for your help bro!

 

[4x4junkie]

awesome, thanks for your help man, i actually just found out that my cousin has a dana 35 from his explorer and i might just grab that and put it in for now... how has your dana 35 preformed on trail? i never really liked my 28, i always worried that it would break, then it did snap about 3 days ago...

I've been all over California's Sierra Mtns. and then some with my BII. The D35 (TTB) has always done fine for me (take a look at the wheeling pics on my Cardomain page).
You'll probably want to do a few things to bring the suspension up to today's performance standards though, which may require some research of your own since most of the suspension industry is still stuck woefully back in the '80s when it comes to TTB stuff.

Things I've done are Jeep Cherokee coils, extended radius arms, extended shock mounts w/longer shocks, and a custom K-link steering setup. I also put a "center" limiting cable over the frame which keeps the suspension from unloading as much on steep climbs. A cool side benefit comes when it tightens against the cable, it'll actually mimic a straight axle (forcing more articulation).


As for the mustang axles, I seem to recall they were too wide (and are 28 spline anyway, so there would be no upgrade over your 7.5" as far as the shafts go).
The axle you want is the 31 spline 8.8" from a '91-'01 Explorer. If you get a '95-'01 unit, you'll get disc brakes on it at the same time.