Running 31x10.5's on Dana 28

[John Smith]

hi there..I was wondering just how many guys run 31" and bigger even on a Dana 28 front? I have decided to do the larger tires mainly for looks and also some mild wondering in the woods...( really just washed-out adventure trails that happened to stop most of the locals here while backcountry'n)...and some harder to get to camping spots..

It will be a grocery getter and the bearings/spindles will be maintained regularly...

regards..

 

[Warren 86 ranger]

i have 33s no probs

 

[John Smith]

33's huh..

i have 33s no probs

good 2 know..good info

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have about 200 miles on a homemade limited slip d-28 4.10 with 31's. No problems yet.

Richard

 

[superds]

I have probably about 20,000-25,000 miles on a D28 and 32" tires. Before that it had the stock 215/75R15 tires on for the previous 165,000 miles. Zero problems here. I don't wheel as often as many people do but I'm not real easy on it either, wheelin or not (lots of 4x4 use in the winter when there's a lot of snow).

 

[mhughes165]

ive run 32's on them and whooped the piss outta them

 

[vince87ranger]

ive got 30's and lockers front and rear on my 87, sees a lot of highway, and beats the piss out of it on weekends, no probs yet. but my 86 has 35's its fine on road and light trails, but soon as it gets boged down in a rut it will pop the d28's u joints. need a eb44 now!

 

[scotts90ranger]

31" BFG AT's with 4.10's and a turbo 2.3, 20k with the turbo engine and a heavy foot, I've had the drivetrain with 31's for 5 years and like 30k miles or so...

 

[strvger]

i'm running 31" E-rated 215/85x16 tires on mine. no problems whatsoever. they're big and heavy, but the 4.56 gears really help with the little 2.8.

 

[John Smith]

all good comments...

It's neat to see the positive response..
I have pulled the trigger on a set of 31x1050 wrangler mtr's and have them mtd on stock wheels..I'm going to need about a 1-2"lift to keep them totally clear and before i do that i just wanted to feel better about the Dana 28..i don't really want to get to complicated with the Dana 35 swap at this time..

Best wishes all..

 

[scotts90ranger]

if you have a second gen they'll fit stock, mine's stock... they rub on unimportant things like radius arms and sway bar (they're round so it doesn't hurt anything)

 

[strvger]

if yours is a 1st gen, my 2inch body lift gives me plenty of clearance.

 

[John Smith]

about the body lift..

if yours is a 1st gen, my 2inch body lift gives me plenty of clearance.

I have thought about the body lift..how was it to do?...it seems like a good way to go if you want to stay away from steer alignment issues...

but the 10 body mts?....was yours a big job?..and did you have to lengthen the gas filler tube?..or extend anything to make it work ?...Mine is a 5spd..I have taken the cab off of a Ranger..I know those cab bolts can be a bear to get out...

 

[strvger]

as mine was only a 2inch lift, no extensions were used anywhere, and mine is a manual tranny and tc as well. as you know, it's those front cab bushings that are the worst for sure. otherwise, couple of buddies and jacks and its a few hours work. cab is fast and easy. not to worry if one of the old bolts break. just drill it out slightly and put in the correct size grade 8 replacement.
3inch lift might be a little different. and, again, mine is a 1983, 1st gen truck.

 

[1996DANGERRANGER]

I've been runnin 31's by 10.5 for about 75000 miles with no prob. i've smoked them, went muddin and have had 0 problems