Dana 35 housing but dana 28 components

[blkmazda90]

working on a buddies truck and the front differential is a dana 35 housing but dana 28 components inside. What exactly did ford gain by this? Money saver? Just curious. Truck was a 95 ranger 2.3l 4 cylinder

 

[metalmacguyver]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7003

it was done so that the 3.45 gear ratio could still be used. why they wanted that ratio so bad, i dont know.

 

[blkmazda90]

thought they were 3.73's

 

[metalmacguyver]

you never know what other factors influenced the decision.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Most likely Ford had a wack of D28 parts left over and wanted to use them up. It's all about the $$$$

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

Most likely Ford had a wack of D28 parts left over and wanted to use them up. It's all about the $$$$

+1

car manufacturers like to pull this kind of thing

 

[4x4junkie]

Having the 3.45 ratio available was likely a big reason for it, but it wasn't necessarily used each time.

The center chunk (and the two shafts that enter into it) are the only differences on that axle, you can bolt up a chunk from a real D35 and it'll fit no problem.