d35 hybrid shafts into d28

[Boggin]

so heres the deal. i have an 89 BII with the D28, and a 94 ranger with a D35 hybrid. as far as i know the inner shafts on the d35 hybrid are just smaller to work in the d28 gears/carrier that the d35 hybrid has. so i was thinking, can i just swap the shafts around? so the B2 would have the d35 hybrid shafts with the original d28 diff and the ranger would have pretty much a complete d28. i know i would need to swap hubs too. and i know, why not just swap beams and all, but i want to keep this truck mobile and i would way rather swap just the shafts.
thanks in advance!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It's really not worth the hassle. Really.

In order to stick the hybrid D-28/35 shafts in a D-28 pumpkin you would have to change the outer seals and bearings and I'm not sure that would even work right. Plus IIRC the hybrid front and the true D-35 fronts are slightly wider than a stock D-28.

The pumpkins and axle beams are different too. The beams and diff for the hybrid match with the D-35. All they basically did to make the hybrid was use D-35 parts, neck down the shafts inside the diff, and stuff D-28 guts in the pumpkin.

As far as strength goes, it's not worth the trouble to put a hybrid front in. I've snapped D-28 axle shafts inside the diff before and that's the weak link on a hybrid front.

 

[Boggin]

well i think its a great upgrade in strength, ive broke a million and a half axle shafts right where the u joint goes on the shafts. those ears always twist off, but i never had a problem with the hybrid d35.

so really, this wouldnt work, is that what your saying?

 

[gwaii]

you should be able to swap the full front end over quicker than doing the axles.

it's just two bolts a side,plus the shocks and drive shaft.

 

[Boggin]

i suppose so. i took the d28 out of my 86 so i took a front end out before, i might just swap in the axles when i install the lift.. thanks gwaii

 

[bobbywalter]

you should be able to swap the full front end over quicker than doing the axles.

it's just two bolts a side,plus the shocks and drive shaft.

thats what i was thinking. 45 min job? few hours if its growed together with rust. if your lifting it then thats the time to do it.


besides.....i busted regular d35 most at the spiders/splines....not allot of joint issues compared to spline breaks/side gears.


well. actually allot of breaks all around...just internal towards the end more then external.

 

[AllanD]

Unless I'm mistaken the "Hybred shafts" are longer and the D35 knuckles won't fit on D28 beams anyway.

AD

 

[Surrey]

It sounds like if you are going to spend the time and effort to do anything, it should probably be a real d35 under your truck, especially if you've broken axle shafts already?

 

[yodaman1151]

in order to put the d35 outers on even if they weren't too long you would need the spindle to house the larger bearings, rotors, and hubs... you pretty much have to disassemble the whole thing to get the driver's side out anyways so just swap everything over. keep in mind that being wider the steering will need realigned as well... thats the part that bit me

IMO i would just search out a true d35 and do the swap once instead of going through the trouble of upgrading half the front end