axle question

[olranger]

i have the chance to straight up trade my 91 2wd single cab ranger, for a 89 4wd x-cab. it has a 2.8 5 spd. i work with the guy and he already has a z71 so he doesnt need 2 4wds. i have been wanting a 4wd, my ? is the driver side front axle shaft is broke, but still driveable. can i get just the shaft or do i have to get the whole axle. The junk yards around here dont have anything so this website is it for now. let me know

 

[Nhaz]

you can replace just the axle shaft on that side. its even easy to do!

 

[frankserrano]

definitely replaceable. it might take you some time to do it yourself but it's within the range of an average home mechanic's capabilities. not too expensive either. i say go for the trade

 

[Original_Ranger84]

If you got manual hubs and stuff you can drive it around with the broken shaft but thats HIGHLY not reccommended. Its not super hard to replace and the nice thing about these axles is you can see everything from behind.

 

[olranger]

ok great thanks

 

[4x4junkie]

2.8L in a '89? (or was that a typo?)

As for the axle shaft, like was said you can replace just the shaft, but I would strongly think about replacing the whole thing (for a D35). The stock D28 axle is quite pathetic in strength, and could just break again if you plan on wheeling it at all.

 

[merace19]

Should be a 2.9. I thought the same thing....

 

[Original_Ranger84]

2.8L in a '89? (or was that a typo?)

As for the axle shaft, like was said you can replace just the shaft, but I would strongly think about replacing the whole thing (for a D35). The stock D28 axle is quite pathetic in strength, and could just break again if you plan on wheeling it at all.

If you drive a 28 right it will last. I have 31's on mine and I've done stuff with it that according to everyone else should have broken it.

 

[frankserrano]

but as far as durability and reliability, D35 is the clear choice over D28, right? if that's the case(and i think it is), then it wouldn't be a bad idea at all to replace the axle itself instead of just the shaft.

 

[olranger]

sorry i thought they made a 2.8 in the ranger, it must be a 2.9, then. I dont plan on wheeling much like you guys just playing once in a while, and money is real tight so i will just have to fix it for now.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

but as far as durability and reliability, D35 is the clear choice over D28, right? if that's the case(and i think it is), then it wouldn't be a bad idea at all to replace the axle itself instead of just the shaft.

Sure i guess... I mean I'm bias just because I haven't had a D35 and haven't broke my D28 in all the stuff I'm ever gonna put it through... So I think its fine... but if you really wanted to you should. If your just going to be driving it as a stock truck just leave the D28, its just as durable and reliable under a stock truck as a d35 is but its lighter... or I assume it is. plus just replacing the shaft is cheaper and less labor intensive then getting a whole D35 put under there.

sorry i thought they made a 2.8 in the ranger, it must be a 2.9, then. I dont plan on wheeling much like you guys just playing once in a while, and money is real tight so i will just have to fix it for now.

They did put the 2.8L carbed engine in from 83 - 85 after that they switched to the 2.9L FI engine.

You'll be fine with the stock D28

 

[4x4junkie]

The 2.8L was '83-'85 only (and was carbureted). The 2.9L EFI V6 came in '86-'92 RBVs (which is what yours should have).

If you plan on playing AT ALL (or are planning on bigger tires), I strongly suggest swapping to the D35. If you just need the 4WD to get around during poor weather conditions on the roads, then the D28 will probably be fine for that type of use.

Edit: too slow

 

[olranger]

well i drove the truck home, and besides being really dirty inside, the motor has a miss to it, the trans shifts nice going down the road but when you stop at a stop sign you like never get it back in gear. I cant get the transfer case to engage, it is a push button, the button could be bad or bad wiring i am not sure how it is wired. I hear metal to metal clangin in the right front suspension, probably ball joint. i dont really have much money and i was hoping at least the transfer case engaged but i think this is alittle more work than i want, since my 91 ranger is in twice the better shape than this truck. what do you think

 

[merace19]

PASWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
sounds like junk