dana 28 to 35 swap ?

[Crashtest84]

So over the weekend I swapped my 28 for the 35 and also put on a 6 inch lift lil more info this is on a 84 reg cab 4x4 2.8 but my prob is that is looks like the axle is setting a lil bit forward the lift just has a drop bracket for the radius arms but I am making some longer arms but what do you guys think what could be the reason for this the one thing I see the most is the springs are not strait in line with the top of the bucket down to the axle I will get some pics up here in a lil bit to help

[4x4junkie]

The lift needs to have drop brackets for the axle pivots also.

[Crashtest84]

Ya its a complete kit with both brackets for the axle pivots and arms I used my radius arms off my 28 and saved the 35 arms to mod! But now I have another question with making longer radius arms how would you go about setting your front beams so that you know they are in line right I will have the abilaty to adj them but I never thought of the prob if it being pushed forward

[4x4junkie]

When I did mine, I just set it up so the passengerside axlebeam would clear behind the pivot bracket for the driverside by about 1", then made the radius arm for the driverside the same length.

This will put the axle slightly forward from stock, which has some benefits (more tire clearance at the firewall (if running big tires), slightly improved steering ackerman angles).

[Crashtest84]

ok here I got some pictures of what I got today it might help
front view and yes I know drop pittman arm... I got a custom superrunner style in the makings

radius arm drop

axle pivot

this is where I think my problem is see how the spring isn't strait in line

[4x4junkie]

I've seen worse...

The spring looks like it might not be seated properly on the lower mount though (is the nylon insulator in place?)

[Crashtest84]

ya but they are a lil bigger at the bottom then the stockers were so they didn't fit the best. Maybe I need to make a custom seat ?

I just read your page on your bronco and I have two questions it said you extended your front shock mount on the bottom or did I miss read it? You also said that you gained an inch of wheel base from the front ? sorry I have some many questions this is really my first 4x4 and im not so much a chassis guy I can build the motor and fab just about anything with the right info and tools

[4x4junkie]

Originally Posted by Crashtest84

ya but they are a lil bigger at the bottom then the stockers were so they didn't fit the best. Maybe I need to make a custom seat ?

I just read your page on your bronco and I have two questions it said you extended your front shock mount on the bottom or did I miss read it? You also said that you gained an inch of wheel base from the front ? sorry I have some many questions this is really my first 4x4 and im not so much a chassis guy I can build the motor and fab just about anything with the right info and tools

My lower front shock mounts are extended downward, yes (instead of mounted in the center of the arm like stock).
(some better pics)


If you do this, just make sure you space the shock away from the arm enough so the shock body doesn't hit the arm on droop.

I moved my front axle as far forward as I could (via the radius arms) before it would hit the bracket I mentioned above. This will give about 1 - 1.5" more wheelbase over where it was stock.

[Crashtest84]

Ok so even if my arms have pushed the axle forward its no big deal kinda even a good thing maybe

[4x4junkie]

I think part of what's happening is you have the short stock radius arms on it in that pic, so it's going to rotate the beam forward more as it droops than if you have extended arms. That would make the coil look a bit more bowed as well.

I've had no issues out of the coils on either of mine (both have the frontend forward a bit), I think you'll be OK on that.

[Crashtest84]

Cool deal man thanks for the help I just kinda got the wheelin sickness not to long ago and I got this truck in a trade or free pretty much and the idea is to get 35"s on it like your BII what do you think about the 44 spindle swap on the 35 is it worth the trouble to get the better hub and bigger rotor ?

[4x4junkie]

I've got the 44 stuff on my Ranger (whole 44 axle actually) and the braking doesn't seem to be any better as far as stopping power goes (it's always been capable of locking up the front wheels if you step on it hard enough). To get more braking power (softer pedal), you'll probably have to change the master cylinder.

The 44's bigger rotors would of course have much better capacity to dissipate heat however. If you find yourself warping the D35 rotors often (while towing a trailer, etc.), it could be a worthwhile upgrade.

The D44 has the wider bearing spacing too, although I've never had any issues out of the D35 bearings. With proper setup, they seem to last just fine.