Dana 28, is it strong enough?

[Spades]

I am going to be using my ranger for very mild off roading a few times a year to get to camping sites off of very easy trails. I have read here that the D28 is significantly weaker than the D35, and that the u joints in the front axle are where the problem is.

for very light four wheeling a few times a year and driving the truck back and forth to work and the grocery store (2k miles a year or less), is a D28 enough? can you use differant front shafts or beef the 28 up in any way, or is it better to make the switch to a D35? if so, how much work is the swap?

thanks in advance for the help!

 

[BlackBII]

What size tires you running?

 

[Captain Ledd]

I don't think I'd worry too much.

If your running stock size tires (or tires that fit with no lift), just don't slam on the gas pedal or get it airborne. It's plenty strong to make it down a 2-track and for daily driving. It's made it this far, right?

And if you do actually break something (which I doubt you will based on your stated use), THEN start on the D35 swap

 

[spdcrazy]

yes the 35 is stronger, but there are plenty of ppl on here that beat the crap outta their 28's with 33's (me included) still no problems.

assuming you will be running 30-31's, you will be just fine! and gas mileage shouldn't be too bad either! shouldn't have to worry about cutting fender's, or regearing. easy way to make it a better off road rig without spending a bunch of money or making it less road worthy

 

[Spades]

I haven't bought the tires yet, I was looking at 31's or 33's, with a small couple inch suspension lift. I don't plan on launching it, flogging it full throttle, taking it rock crawling, or anything crazy.

I just want the truck as a daily driver I can travel the couple miles a day to work and back, and occasionally get to more remote camping areas.

I am going to get a LSD for the back, or finding a 8.8 LSD differential from a newer ranger for the rear, and making the rear driveline 1 piece when I lift it.

If the stated use would be ok on the D28, is there a way to beef up the u joints and bearings(since I have been told those are the weakest points)?

 

[Captain Ledd]

For an 88, 33's will need around 6" of lift and some fender trimming. or maybe 4" of lift and a LOT of fender trimming.

31's (or metric equivilent) and a 2-3" lift work well, might have to trim the corners just a bit. A 30x9.50 tire works excellent stock, as does a 235/75/R15.

I have 33's on my '84. Honestly, I would have gone with a budget lift and 31's if I did it again. WAY cheaper and easier. Also better for driveability of you stay smaller.

No idea on if there is beefier joints for the D28. You can probably do the full circle C-clip mod on the u-joints. Bearings you're kinda stuck, just get good ones like Timkin or something.

 

[84stealthranger]

be easy on the skinny petal and it should work fine ive pulled out a f350 up outta a lake bed and a lifted z71 out of the same place both in 4 low spinning with 30s and it held up fine i dont think u will have any problems with 33s

 

[4x4junkie]

If the stated use would be ok on the D28, is there a way to beef up the u joints and bearings(since I have been told those are the weakest points)?

Weld the axle shaft u-joint caps to the yokes. This will help solidify the joint assembly which should give it some more strength (I don't think there's enough "meat" on the D28's yokes to do the full-circle clip conversion anyway).

Like has been said, for mostly graded trails to ones maybe having some mild ruts, you should be fine. For anything heavier than that though (or if you ever decide to add a locker), you'll want to swap to the D35.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Weld the axle shaft u-joint caps to the yokes. This will help solidify the joint assembly which should give it some more strength (I don't think there's enough "meat" on the D28's yokes to do the full-circle clip conversion anyway).

Nope, there is not enough space in the joint to do full circle clips. I know, I tried.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've been TRYING to break my D28 with 31's and my turbo engine, and haven't been successful, but I've only been wheeling a few times, and mostly on sand... but people say they've broke them on stock street tires...

 

[holyford86]

Weld the axle shaft u-joint caps to the yokes. This will help solidify the joint assembly which should give it some more strength (I don't think there's enough "meat" on the D28's yokes to do the full-circle clip conversion anyway).

Like has been said, for mostly graded trails to ones maybe having some mild ruts, you should be fine. For anything heavier than that though (or if you ever decide to add a locker), you'll want to swap to the D35.

Putting in new ujoints and welding them is the best mod I ever did to my D28, When the shafts break at the joints they usually destroy everything anyway so it's really no huge loss. Just have spares just in case (I had 4 complete sets)

I've been TRYING to break my D28 with 31's and my turbo engine, and haven't been successful, but I've only been wheeling a few times, and mostly on sand... but people say they've broke them on stock street tires...

I broke mine in my driveway, with 225 75/ R15 tires and the joints were brand new...

 

[-Nathan-]

took this pic a while ago...this is one reason Dana 35> Dana 28

 

[Twisted4x4]

Ive got an 89 Ranger 4x4 that I drive regularly and wheel quite often. Im runing my stock D28 and 7.5 axles with open 4.10's with 35's and have no problems. In the past ive run 28" and 30" swampers and had no lift and no fender troubles. Though if you run 11.50 or wider tires you will have some rubbing on your radius arms at full turn. Even with 35x12.50-15's Im still running stock suspension, though I did jack the body up 3 inches and cut some on the fenders. As far as weakness of the D28, yes ujoints and the yokes do have their limits. In the 12 years ive had my truck I think ive replaced at most 6 or 7 joints (mainly the knuckle joints) and 2 pieces of the axle shafts. But you also gotta consider I wheel my truck pretty hard when I hit the trails. I dont think you have anything to worry about.