weleded dana 28

[rusty7072]

im fixin to put a set of gears in my dana 28 and i was wondering if it is possple to weld the spider gears together in the front end

 

[mkpecor]

ya, but your most likely going to brake axle shafts and other front end stuff. weld the rear and keep the front open or go with the D35.

 

[4x4junkie]

It's possible, yes, but HIGHLY not recommended. Neither is putting gears (or ANY $$$ for that matter) into that axle.

The D28 is a POS. I'd get a D35 and put the gears and a locker in that instead (you could weld the D35 too (it'll hold up OK), but your steering's gonna suck big time, it'll want to push straight ahead instead of turning).

The D35 is basically a bolt-in swap for the D28, just the driveshaft needs to be shortened 1".

 

[small ranger]

I have a locker in my dana 28. I break and wear out a lot of u-joints (like 4 in the past 4 months). I also have my caps welded on. I would not spend much money on gears. The locker I got cheap on ebay along with gears 4.10($75 for both). On the flip side I have spent ~$150 on shafts and u-joints. My recomendation is dana 35 ttb, dana 30 or 44 sas.

 

[V8RangerBoy]

Stay away from both the welded gears and the D28. Welded's are ok in the back end, but your truck will push like a mother with the front end welded up. You'd end up getting stuck in more places from lack of steering than you would from lack of traction.

 

[Todd]

Weld the 28, yes it could be done. Should you do it? NO!!!!!

And as for steering with a welded front end. People saying you cant or will get suck in more places because of it, I believe say this from just hearing others say it and then think its fact.

I wheel and have wheeled with my front welded for many years now.

 

[Evan]

Stay away from both the welded gears and the D28. Welded's are ok in the back end, but your truck will push like a mother with the front end welded up. You'd end up getting stuck in more places from lack of steering than you would from lack of traction.

Huh? Both Todd and I have run welded D35s for years and have not had this problem.

 

[V8RangerBoy]

Huh? Both Todd and I have run welded D35s for years and have not had this problem.

I would love to see a video of this. I have watched SO many locked (air lockers) rigs get stuck in easy spots because they're unfamiliar with the behavior of what happens with the front end locked. Had they unlocked, they easily would have been able to turn out. The scenario was typically driving across a fairly steep, slick bank (drivers side higher than the passenger side, and trying to turn up and out to the driver side).

I by no means meant that it made the rig undriveable or that you would get stuck on every easy obstacle, but there are numerous places that it will be much more of a hindrance than a help.

 

[Todd]

I rigs get stuck in easy spots because they're unfamiliar with the behavior of what happens with the front end locked.

And that’s why Evan or I haven’t had troubles.

I’ll take a welded front over an open any day. Granted a auto or selectable would be better but as for us college students having a rig and keeping it going takes enough cash. 200+ for a locker of a few bucks in rod.

 

[Evan]

And that’s why Evan or I haven’t had troubles.

I’ll take a welded front over an open any day. Granted a auto or selectable would be better but as for us college students having a rig and keeping it going takes enough cash. 200+ for a locker of a few bucks in rod.

Now that I am running Lockrites front and rear, I have not noticed a very big increase in turning radius when wheelin.

It seems to me that the main benefit of a Lockrite in the rear is smoother operation on the road, and less tire wear. In the front it's nice because you can drive on the road in 2wd with the hubs locked in and still turn, and have the option to go 4x4 without getting out to lock in the hubs. In Houghton, MI, Todd and I don't give a fawk about driveability on the road, as the trails are between 5 and 20 minutes away. That, and Todd's truck is a million miles away from being street legal.

Since I moved to Wisconsin, the nearest trail is 1.5+ hours away. Now my truck sees a lot more of the street. Which is why I went to 5.13s, disc brakes, lockers, a mechanical rad fan, license plate lights, and all that crap you need/is nice for street driving.

But yeah, if you know anything about wheelin, you'd be crazy to want an open front end over a welded front end on the trail, provided the axle can take the abuse, which a D28 cannot.