Axle conversion?

[Carlos Murphy]

Anybody done a straight axle conversion on their Ranger? I really like the idea of another locker in my drive line.

I've been thinking about doing it on my 88 Super Cab, any thoughts?

 

[adsm08]

[Sarcasm] Nope, you are the first person to even consider such a thing. [/Sarcasm]

 

[Carlos Murphy]

Shirley you jest...... no 4x4 off roader has ever wanted to s**t can his IFS for a real diff?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Your link doesn't work... Rather, the link takes me to a photobucket sign in page and sorry that's too much info that I don't want to give to anyone. Please embed the picture in your post.

And this is what I thought when I first saw this thread;

Yanking chains???
I don't believe someone that's been a member since 2007 and has over 600 posts would post such a question. The link goes to a sign-in page of photobucket, not a picture. Phishing attempt?

 

[4x4junkie]

Shirley you jest...... no 4x4 off roader has ever wanted to s**t can his IFS for a real diff?

s**t can the D28, sure...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/D28_D35_swap.shtml

 

[adsm08]

Shirley you jest...... no 4x4 off roader has ever wanted to s**t can his IFS for a real diff?

I do jest (hence the Sarcasm tag), and don't call me Shirley.

Also, in the strictest sense of the term, all the 4x4 Ranger front ends are "real diffs" in that they do perform the function of a differential, have a carrier, ring, pinion, and side/spider gears.

 

[Carlos Murphy]

I get it, I know how they work, I usta rebuild them when I worked for BMW.
When I had my 4X4 guy do my rear diff with a Richmond Lok-Rite he told me not to do anything with the stock front diff, not worth it, that was around 9 years ago. Since then I've broken the right axle, hub (at different times) and the transfer case.
Not until last month did I started thinking about a straight axle swap because I keep putting more and more into my rig, just finished installing tube doors made for a 84-89 Toyota pickup from ebay.

 

[RangerSVT]

I don't know anyone here thats done one. I'll try to see if I can find some info...

SVT

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm ashamed at my original response, I have lots of posts and actually know very little about SAS. I have never done a solid axle swap (SAS) but there is lots of threads on the subject. Use the google search at the top of the page and you'll find lots.

Sent from my XT1032

 

[Carlos Murphy]

Swapping.

s**t can the D28, sure...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/D28_D35_swap.shtml

Thanks for the links, very helpful.

 

[RangerSVT]

Its fairly easy to sas a rig, but there are several ways to do it. Every possible way to do an sas has been discussed, done, documented, and discussed even more here. A quick thread search will net you months of reading...

SVT

 

[4x4junkie]

Thanks for the links, very helpful.

There is lots of discussion around here to search for on that too. IMO, SAS is overrated (but a Dana28 is deemed a POS rightly so).

If you haven't yet checked out my rig (BII), maybe now is a good time. I built it in 2004 and it's held up rather well (to a point now that I'm actually quite impressed with it). I expected breaking a shaft every few years or so (and I carry spares for that reason, after having broke shafts on the D44 under my other rig), but so far... nothing. I'll admit I am a little less aggressive driving offroad than I was in my younger years (though I do flog it if I have to), but still. One of the bigger things I like is the ride quality. Not having the 300-mile drive home on the freeway beating you up after 14 days in the desert or on a remote backcountry mountain trail is nice.