Dana 35 ifs axle strength??

[AJ2012]

I'm doing a awd swap on my 98 ranger xlt, im wondering how much horsepower my factory cv's will handle because I'm doing a 5.0 swap at the same time. I plan on diving the truck everyday, but I also want to occasionally take it to the track. Any help would be appreciated, I don't want to go out andbreak axles every time I run someone.

 

[Lariat]

3 words... Solid Axle Swap. That's gonna be easiest.

 

[scotts90ranger]

um, he's not looking for that kind of strength... I think they use that same suspension or at least close in the Explorers so you should be fine but I haven't played with the SLA explorers...

 

[adsm08]

It's pretty similar to the Explorer. It's a little different because of the hub locks on the Ranger.

I did check the NAPA part numbers for the front CV shafts on a 99 Explorer vs a 2002 Ranger (first full year of the live axle) and they are the same numbers, the Explorer didn't ask to specify an engine, so I would say there is not likely to be a strength issue there.

 

[4x4junkie]

What size tires?

31" or less, you'll probably be OK.
I'd be more worried about the ring gear & housing handling the power in this case (you didn't say how mild or wild this V8 will be).

 

[AJ2012]

3 words... Solid Axle Swap. That's gonna be easiest.

It's my daily so I don't want to go through that ordeal, I've already been that route.

 

[AJ2012]

What size tires?

31" or less, you'll probably be OK.
I'd be more worried about the ring gear & housing handling the power in this case (you didn't say how mild or wild this V8 will be).

The biggest I'll go is 33's after I buy 18's…but I'm swapping in 4.10 gears and a disc brake rearend with posi trac. Motor wise I'll be pushing around 350 at the crank with an e303 cam, procomp aluminum heads with cleaned up ports, and I'm heavily porting the factory gt40 intake, but I plan on a 100 shot of nitrous until I can afford a 347 stroker kit. I'm already building the transmission for the power and plan on running a switch to the transfer case for selectable awd so I can get better mileage around town. I just want it to hook up at the track and not break.

 

[4x4junkie]

If your D35 had a high-pinion design like on the earlier TTB axle, I'd say you'd probably be fine. Unfortunately Ford switched to a low-pinion design in '98 which runs on the weaker side of the gear teeth when driving forward (stripped gears and/or a ruptured housing are what would concern me, especially if feeding it NO).

I'm wondering if there's any possibility of swapping a narrowed front 8.8" housing from an IFS F-150 or Expedition under there... The half shafts would likely also have to be custom (shortened F-150 shafts, maybe the spindles/wheel hubs too, not sure), but it should almost eliminate the chance of having an axle failure. The front 8.8" is a high pinion as well.

 

[AJ2012]

If your D35 had a high-pinion design like on the earlier TTB axle, I'd say you'd probably be fine. Unfortunately Ford switched to a low-pinion design in '98 which runs on the weaker side of the gear teeth when driving forward (stripped gears and/or a ruptured housing are what would concern me, especially if feeding it NO).

I'm wondering if there's any possibility of swapping a narrowed front 8.8" housing from an IFS F-150 or Expedition under there... The half shafts would likely also have to be custom (shortened F-150 shafts, maybe the spindles/wheel hubs too, not sure), but it should almost eliminate the chance of having an axle failure. The front 8.8" is a high pinion as well.

I actually have a Dana 35 ttb laying around, I might be able to swap the diff without too much modification. The main problem with that is I have to change the carrier to be able to run 4.10 gears, which last time I checked is like $500

 

[Jim Oaks]

I wouldn't think you'd be trying to run the thing in 4WD down a drag strip. So realistically, what's the possibility that you're going to be putting that much horsepower to the front axles?

 

[AJ2012]

I wouldn't think you'd be trying to run the thing in 4WD down a drag strip. So realistically, what's the possibility that you're going to be putting that much horsepower to the front axles?

The truck will be awd, that's the only way I'll get a good time without 4 linking the rear and adding a locker with slicks. And since it's my daily driver I want it to be safe on ice and snow. And you were asking how much power will make it to the wheels, when the stroker kit is in I plan on around 400 to all 4 wheels, around 450 to the back wheels if i make it 2wd.

 

[bigmark303]

What are your plans for the transmission before we get too far here. If you plan to use the explorer auto transmission with the AWD case then youll be rebuilding transmissions way before you break anything in the D35.

The Dana 35 low pinion is weak as well so if you get good power to the front (driveline dependent) then yes youll be ripping apart CVs and gears.

 

[AJ2012]

What are your plans for the transmission before we get too far here. If you plan to use the explorer auto transmission with the AWD case then youll be rebuilding transmissions way before you break anything in the D35.

The Dana 35 low pinion is weak as well so if you get good power to the front (driveline dependent) then yes youll be ripping apart CVs and gears.

I'm already building the 4r70w out of the explorer, it should be able to hold around 550 at the crank when I'm done with it. Basically it'll be a little stronger than my factory block will handle.

 

[bigmark303]

With a transmission that can get the power to your wheels the ring and pinion is going to be a very weak point with the power of a properly set up stroker.

If you have the money to do it the right way look into as mentioned either a D44 solid axle swap or custom 8.8 IFS from an F150 at the least.

Just think of how weak a D35 rear end is under a Heep in stock form with a 190hp 4.0L and 27" tires. Then add some weight, more than double the power, and add 31" tires. Everything about it is against the D35.

 

[AJ2012]

With a transmission that can get the power to your wheels the ring and pinion is going to be a very weak point with the power of a properly set up stroker.

If you have the money to do it the right way look into as mentioned either a D44 solid axle swap or custom 8.8 IFS from an F150 at the least.

Just think of how weak a D35 rear end is under a Heep in stock form with a 190hp 4.0L and 27" tires. Then add some weight, more than double the power, and add 31" tires. Everything about it is against the D35.

You have to remember that only a percentage of the power is distributed to the front wheels. And you can't really compare different manufacturers axles, think how much stronger a ford Dana 44 hp is than a chevy Dana 44.