D28 to D35 swap Bronco II


William Spitzer

10+ Year Member

Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
155
Points
1,601
City
Fulks Run, VA
Vehicle Year
1986,
1994
Transmission
Manual
I couldn't find the exact answer by searching, if I'm just overlooking it please forgive me. But, I was wanting to search some junkyards for a D35 to swap into my B2, wouldn't I just be able to find a 90 B2 with the D35 and be able to swap it dirrectly in without shortening the driveshaft like with an explorer D35? And if thats the case, could I just get a D35 from an explorer (if theyre better for some reason) and use a front driveshaft from a 90, D35 equiped B2?
 
Um. No.

The search button or the Tech library WILL tell you the years you can find a Dana 35 in.

Either way, you will need a new driveshaft.
 
http://www.broncoiicorral.com/facts.htm

This is where i got the idea for trying to find a 90 model. It says for the B2 90 and up they had the D30 instead of D28. I was just thinking cause I wouldnt be swapping into a different vehicle, it wouldn't require a shorter driveshaft. I just dont have a place near that would be able to shorten and balance a driveshaft.
 
All the D35s are the same, whether it comes from a BII, Ranger or Explorer.

The difference is with the t-case. Yours probably has the 1350 t-case with the slip front driveshaft, all D35 rigs (the BIIs too) come with a 1354 fixed-yoke case and different driveshaft.

If you also swap the t-case and driveshaft from your donor (can be a BII, Ranger or Explorer), this will then allow everything to bolt right into yours.


Hope that explains it.
 
All the D35s are the same, whether it comes from a BII, Ranger or Explorer.

Technically not true.

In 1995 the knuckles and brakes switched from single-piston calipers with those stupid, awful slide pins to dual-piston bolt on ones (which is what I have now :D).
 
Technically not true.

In 1995 the knuckles and brakes switched from single-piston calipers with those stupid, awful slide pins to dual-piston bolt on ones (which is what I have now :D).

Ok, you got me on that part, however I was speaking in relevance to his question about it fitting with the driveshaft.
If we go further, those same ones have adjustable steering stops and 3-piece axle thrust washers too. :D
 
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Ok, you got me there, however I was speaking in relevance to his question about it fitting with the driveshaft. :D

Yeah, I thought about going back and editing that to say the change wasn't relevant, but I feel like being a smart alack tonight.
 
Yeah, I thought about going back and editing that to say the change wasn't relevant, but I feel like being a smart alack tonight.

Ha,I'm actually glad you posted that. I learned something new.
 
sorry, I didnt think to add, I have a swapped M5OD and a manual Borg Warner transfer case from a 91 Explorer. I also believe it has an explorer front driveshaft, (if I can remember what the previous owner told me)but im not sure about that. My thought was just that, if I have the explorer t-case, and got a D35 from a Bronco (so it would be a nearly dirrect bolt in) a Bronco II driveshaft would be the proper length.
 
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All the D35s are the same, whether it comes from a BII, Ranger or Explorer.

The difference is with the t-case. Yours probably has the 1350 t-case with the slip front driveshaft, all D35 rigs (the BIIs too) come with a 1354 fixed-yoke case and different driveshaft.

If you also swap the t-case and driveshaft from your donor (can be a BII, Ranger or Explorer), this will then allow everything to bolt right into yours.


Hope that explains it.


So since I have an Explorer t case all ready, I could find an explorer take the front driveshaft and D35 not have to shorten the driveshaft?
 
If it has an explorer T case already, it already has an explorer front driveshaft, look at the shaft, if there's a slip spline between the U joints (or even easier, if the T case side has a Dual Cardan joint), it's an explorer shaft already, if the slip splines are at the T case then it's not. If it's got explorer shaft then all you need is any Dana 35, you already have the proper driveshaft... just avoid '93-97 2.3L and 3.0L equipped Rangers as they could have the hybrid axle.
 
So since I have an Explorer t case all ready, I could find an explorer take the front driveshaft and D35 not have to shorten the driveshaft?

Sounds like you're already set. :icon_thumby:
 

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