Dana 28/35 TTB Hybrid

[koldcustoms]

I have an '87 Ranger XLT 4x4. Although it appears stock, there's a Dana 28/35 TTB hybrid installed in the front. There are no stampings or labels to identify when the axle was manufactured. From what I understand the hybrids' didn't appear until the '90's.

I knew the previous owner personally. I'm told he bought the truck from his father-in-law 4 years prior. To his knowledge, the 'in-law owned it since new and it had never been wrecked. So I'm doubtful the axle was replaces as a result of front end damage.

This truck is well optioned: V6, 4wd, extended cab, power everything, cruise control, A/C and duel fuel tanks (which I also found odd). The only thing it doesn't have is an auto trans and a push button T-case.

Questions:

-Was there a special order military version of the Ranger in 1987?

-Was there a third party company modifying Rangers for Ford, much like that which produced the Econoline 4x4?

-How accurate is the TRS tech library about the TTB system?

-Could the Ranger be optioned with a hybrid setup?

-Did the hybrid axle even exist in '87?

-Was the hybrid used as a factory replacement for the Dana 28 at some point?

 

[4x4junkie]

The hybrid axle did not exist in '87. If that axle is a hybrid (10 bolt front cover with a smooth (not ribbed) rear housing), it was infact swapped in at some point.

Unless someone has owned the vehicle themselves personally, there's really no way for them to know absolutely for sure the vehicle's entire history.

 

[Shran]

^ what he said.

There were a few Rangers that got molested by Waldoch. I am not really sure what that package included but I think it was just stickers.