Dana 35 - Ranger vs Explorer Compatibility

[Oh2Ranger]

Hey guys, hopefully a quick question. I'm trying to get all my information straight for tomorrows run at the truck.

Here is a little background:
I have a 1994 Ranger, had 3.27's stock. Was not working out well for my setup. I grabbed a LS 3.73 rear and swapped it into the back, now I'm working on the front.

I got the pumpkin out, (took 1500 hours, blood and swearing) and ran into a few snags along the the removal. The front pumpkin I removed from the junk yard came apart pretty nice, it was out of a 93 explorer. Mine fought me the entire time. The spindle / axle housing? This piece here:

was seized and had to be beat off with a chisel, screwdrivers, sledge.. etc. It was not easy. Anyway, when It did come off, it came off in pieces (internally, seals etc.). Are these housings compatible with rangers? How about the axle shafts? My passenger shaft (splined shaft) would absolutely not separate. It took an unbelieveable amount of WD40 muscle and leverage to get the thing to come out. The splines look like they weren't seated in the groove and somebody pounded it in or something. Are the Explorer and Ranger axles shafts the same length? What is compatable, and what is model specific on these? Hubs? Shafts.. etc. If I need to go back to the yard and get the pieces I've already pulled, I need to do it sooner that later.

Thanks!

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

All the same stuff, go get your parts.

Next time just hold a 2x4 on the threads, and beat it back and forth with a hammer.

I have an adapter that threads onto the spindle and on the end of my 8lb slide-hammer. Works amazingly, but $$$.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Alright great, Thanks for the info. I was just surprised, at the junkyard the spindles basically fell off, but thats what I needed to know. Thanks!

 

[adsm08]

I got that adapter from Amazon for about $40.

If you already have a slide hammer and take these spindles off with any regularity it is a worthwhile tool to have.

Also, a generous amount of anti-seize around the knuckle face will make them easier to remove the next time.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Goes hand in hand with needing the enclosed spindle nut socket IMO.

These trucks can be worked on with simple tools, but there are some that just make it soooo much easier.

I'm my case, I push my truck hard, and am always working on it in some way. The tools are worth their weight in gold to me, plus they come in handy when an RBV rolls into the shop, or buddys/ family need help.

 

[kunar]

if you have a welder, you can make one pretty easily. this is one that i made, its an auto hub style spindle nut, some 2" exhaust tube, a big heavy washer and a random nut that fit the threads on the slide hammer. works wonderfully, i dont know how i ever lived without it.