Dana 28 OEM LSD...a myth?

I've been searching on the internet and in books about these TTB D28 front ends. I hear that limited slips for these a very rare.

I would like to know whether searching for one would be a waste of time.

No, not a myth. Yes, waste of time.

But your 94 wouldn't have a D28.

D35 with D28 out shafts and carrier?

Being a 4cylinder it most likely does have the hybrid diff, so I'd avoid throwig a locker in it to keep from breaking parts. I'd upgrade to a full D35 before thinking of a locker.

Since on the subject of Danas, Lima Bean said mine has one. I don't know the difference between a Dana or anything else. I just know I need to probably change the fluid in mine. lol that and Lima said mine has a small leak (which I probably know EXACTLY how that happened.... I slid through a cornner and got half way high centered on a meridian and had to reverse off of it. sad sad face..... that happened during a blizzard here in anchorage earlier this winter.)

D35 with D28 guts.

The earlier D28 carriers I suspect do fit the later D28/35 hybrid axle, however unless you absolutely 100% do NOT have ANY plans to ever put tires on it larger than stock, I would agree you would be wasting your time putting any $$$ into that axle.

My suggestion would be to find a D35 center chunk and replace your hybrid chunk with that. Everything else is the same except that chunk and the two axle shafts that directly enter into it.
Then find a limited slip diff (or locker, whatever your choosing) for the D35.

Ak907Girl said:

Since on the subject of Danas, Lima Bean said mine has one. I don't know the difference between a Dana or anything else. I just know I need to probably change the fluid in mine. lol that and Lima said mine has a small leak (which I probably know EXACTLY how that happened.... I slid through a cornner and got half way high centered on a meridian and had to reverse off of it. sad sad face..... that happened during a blizzard here in anchorage earlier this winter.)

Click to expand...

If the information of your truck under your avatar is correct and your truck is a 2wd then you don't have a dana axle anywhere under your truck. The rear axle is a Ford 7.5.

4x4junkie said:

D35 with D28 guts.

The earlier D28 carriers I suspect do fit the later D28/35 hybrid axle, however unless you absolutely 100% do NOT have ANY plans to ever put tires on it larger than stock, I would agree you would be wasting your time putting any $$$ into that axle.

My suggestion would be to find a D35 center chunk and replace your hybrid chunk with that. Everything else is the same except that chunk and the two axle shafts that directly enter into it.
Then find a limited slip diff (or locker, whatever your choosing) for the D35.

Click to expand...

I plan running 215/75r15 tires until I get a good deal on Ranger Alcoas, then I'll run whatever tire size equal to OEM size. The only reason I thought it would be a good idea to keep the D28 is to keep weight off the front end* and avoid re-gearing.

*Although weight savings may only be 1-2 lbs for all I know.

93-97 D35 TTB axles I guess is what I need? I assume explorer axles work just the same. I'm also reading here it is a special carrier in the hybrid axles which may cause a OEM LSD to not work at all.

Manual lock outs wouldn't be a waste right? Since if I go with a D35, the outer stuff all stays?

I have a hybrid on mine for a couple of years without any problems.My 28 was giving me problems with the outer axle joints once I put on my 33's.I had a lock right in the front too.I bought the hybrid used from the station.I wanted a dana 35 but settled for the hybrid because it saved me $700 dollars.By the time I bought gears and set them up and bought a new locker for the front as my 28 locker fit in the hybrid.If my hybrid would break today I would buy the parts and build a 35.It wouldn't scare me a bit to run small tires and a locker on a hybrid.The thing is you have to be careful putting money into a hybrid it'll never be a 35.

My differential book says Randy's Ring and pinion has not seen a limited slip 28 or 35.So the chances of finding one are pretty poor.When I put in a lock right it really helped in the snow a lot.If your a 4.10 ratio a locked dana 35 is expensive. A hybrid with a lock right is putting $300 dollars in a inferior differential.I was really frustrated when I was there.

1994_4x4 said:

I plan running 215/75r15 tires until I get a good deal on Ranger Alcoas, then I'll run whatever tire size equal to OEM size. The only reason I thought it would be a good idea to keep the D28 is to keep weight off the front end* and avoid re-gearing.

*Although weight savings may only be 1-2 lbs for all I know.

93-97 D35 TTB axles I guess is what I need? I assume explorer axles work just the same. I'm also reading here it is a special carrier in the hybrid axles which may cause a OEM LSD to not work at all.

Manual lock outs wouldn't be a waste right? Since if I go with a D35, the outer stuff all stays?

Click to expand...

With OEM sized tires and a four cylinder you only have old age fatigue problems to worry about which can happen to any axle.

But if you are going to lock it, go with a D35. You have much more selection and you are not painting yourself in a corner with a weaker axle. Just try to shop for one with gearing to match what you have. Personally I would prefer a '95+ Ranger with the bolt on calipers but that is a fairly minor preferance, they are all good.

1994_4x4 said:

I plan running 215/75r15 tires until I get a good deal on Ranger Alcoas, then I'll run whatever tire size equal to OEM size. The only reason I thought it would be a good idea to keep the D28 is to keep weight off the front end* and avoid re-gearing.

*Although weight savings may only be 1-2 lbs for all I know.

93-97 D35 TTB axles I guess is what I need? I assume explorer axles work just the same. I'm also reading here it is a special carrier in the hybrid axles which may cause a OEM LSD to not work at all.

Manual lock outs wouldn't be a waste right? Since if I go with a D35, the outer stuff all stays?

Click to expand...

Correct, you can get a set of lockout hubs now if you need them.

'91-'97 Rangers, '91-'94 Explorers for a D35. Some (but not all) 1990 Rangers and Bronco IIs will have the D35 also.

1994_4x4 said:

I've been searching on the internet and in books about these TTB D28 front ends. I hear that limited slips for these a very rare.

I would like to know whether searching for one would be a waste of time.

Click to expand...

Just because no ones ever seen one that doesnt make it rare.

snoranger said:

Just because no ones ever seen one that doesnt make it rare.

Click to expand...

Doesn't make it really common either.

IIRC it was a really odd combo you had to have to get the limited slip, something like a four cylinder with a certain gear ratio or something like that.

4.10 gears for a RC D35 are running $284.81 as of now. I guess I got to keep an eye out for that axle/dif then. I should find one sooner than later. The D35 has a great selection of lockers/lsd's.

$255.95 here:
http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/products/d28-d35_gears.htm

What size tires is "OEM size"? If it's the metric equivalent of 31x10.50s (265/75R15), I'd suggest going with 4.56 gears. Not only would your 2.3L push those tires better with 4.56s, you could also save yourself as much as $92 on your gear purchase.