1993 ranger splash dana 35 upgrade

[CountryDriven]

Alright, so my truck could use a front end rebuild. I've got my parents in on funding the project so that's great. The plan is to go to a junkyard and get an dana 35 front end from an ranger or explorer and swap it into my truck. What exactly do I need to get? Ive read the tech article on this swap and it seems pretty straight forward. My plan: Get the dana 35 pumkin, drive shaft going to trans case, coils. How do I remove all of this when I get to the junkyard? I know I also need to get 3.73 gears to match my 7.5. What else should I get/buy for a front end rebuild? Thanks this will be happening this weekend btw

 

[scotts90ranger]

it says your Ranger is 4x4 under your name... if so, you already have a Dana 35, and if that's the case, what are you asking? If it's a 4x2 truck, it takes more work than just grabbing an axle and transfer case and such, the engine crossmember is different... If you are talking about converting from a D28/35 hybrid to a true D35, then all you need is the pumpkin and both axle shafts that go into the pumpkin (passenger side outer shaft is the same on the hybrids).

 

[RangerNielsen]

If he has a 3.slow, wouldnt he have a D28/7.5" combo? i ran the axle code on my truck and thats a combo i have. I also have 3.73s and am looking into a d35/8.8 swap.

 

[scotts90ranger]

all '90 (mid year sometime) and newer RBV's have a Dana 35, some of the 2.3L and 3.0L '93-96ish Rangers came with the hybrid thing with D28 ring, pinion and carrier but if you change the pumpkin and the shafts that go into it that's all it takes to make it a real D35, count the bolts on the front diff from the front, 10 is D35 (or hybrid), 12 is D28, I don't remember what to look for through the diff fill hole to tell the difference between a real D35 and the hybrid...

 

[adsm08]

I think you can see the ring gear on the hybrid, but not on the full-size.

 

[4x4junkie]

You'll see the bearing cap thru the fill hole on a hybrid, on a real D35 you'll see the end of the carrier itself.
Also, the bottom of the hybrid's housing is smooth, the D35 has ribs.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/dana_28_35.shtml

 

[CountryDriven]

Alright I checked my diff again to make sure and it's a smooth cover... I'll upload a picture to confirm this later this afternoon. I've found about 5 salvage yards within 30 miles of me so I will be going to all of these this weekend. I plan on overhauling and lifting the front end in the process. The overhaul will consist of bushings,diff fluid, paint, frame paint/rust repair, tie rods, replace lube nipples, shocks, lift coils or coil spacers. Anything else I should do while I'm under there?