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Dana 35 Standard Rotation & Super 30?


Jim Oaks

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2005 Jaguar XJ8
Vehicle Year
2021
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Ford Ranger
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4WD
Engine
2.3 EcoBoost
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Automatic
Total Lift
3.5-inches
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295/70/17
The Dana "Super 30" is the axle used under JK Wranglers I'm pretty sure (same-size ring gear, but 1.625" pinion shaft). I think the axle is also used in '02-'10 Explorers.

Randy's has always been weird (they seem to think the Dana35 is an AMC axle even though AMC gave Dana the blueprints to it long before Chrysler took over AMC, and Dana has manufactured the axle ever since... And they are the only ones that list it like that too). Just confuses the hell out of everyone :rolleyes:

That Super 30 listing is wrong, the Ranger has never used it.
 
Ok. I'm going to put together an article on the Dana 35 used in the 98+ Rangers, but I want to include info on the Dana 35 used under the 95+ Explorer in case someone is looking at used Explorer parts.

So what's the difference in the Dana 35 used in the Explorer, and the "Super 30"?
 
02-2010 explorers do use a Dana 30 front axle.
 
^^ correct. I have one and the only real difference I can find is in the pinion legnth between a standard 30 and super 30. Not 100% sure because I never had a pair to look for differences but I do know the R&P part numbers are different. Quite a few things use the super 30 aside from ford vehicles. This isn't to be confused with a super 30 kit for a D30, totally different. The Ford style super 30 still uses a standard D30 carrier and 27 spline axles just as a regular D30 would. A true super 30 (for the D30) would be a new carrier/spiders and 30 spline shafts. Not sure on the housings if you could stick a D35 in place of a super 30 or not...kinda doubt it though.
 
Precision Gears lists the Standard Rotation Dana 35 in the 1995-2002 Explorer, and Randy's list the Dana "Super" 30 in the 2001-2013 Explorer. For some reason Randy's wants to list the 30 in the 2001-2005 Ranger, and they don't list anything for the Ranger after 2007. G2 lists the Dana 35 Standard for the 1996 and up Explorer and 1998 and up Ranger. Why would Ford switch the Explorer to a Dana 30???

It also seems odd that the front axle in a Lincoln Aviator is a Dana 30 since that's a full size vehicle.

I found these (2) images on the Spicer site.
 

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I went to explorer4x4.com and their forum to see what I can find, and all I have found is that the Explorer comes with a Dana 35.

Edit: Ok, so the 3rd and 4th Gen Explorers (2002+) use a 27 spline Standard Rotation Dana Super 30/186 IFS.
 
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Precision Gears lists the Standard Rotation Dana 35 in the 1995-2002 Explorer, and Randy's list the Dana "Super" 30 in the 2001-2013 Explorer. For some reason Randy's wants to list the 30 in the 2001-2005 Ranger, and they don't list anything for the Ranger after 2007. G2 lists the Dana 35 Standard for the 1996 and up Explorer and 1998 and up Ranger. Why would Ford switch the Explorer to a Dana 30???

It also seems odd that the front axle in a Lincoln Aviator is a Dana 30 since that's a full size vehicle.

I found these (2) images on the Spicer site.

The Aviator is a rebadged Explorer (you're thinking the Lincoln Navigator).

Only reason I can think for the switch from the D35 to a D30 is cost.
If the axle does infact have the larger 1.625" pinion shaft (I haven't yet been able to actually verify this), I'm thinking it should be right in the same neighborhood for strength as a D35 would be.
Seems I've heard D30 lockers also fit the Super 30, which is something not true of D35 lockers in the IFS D35, though they do take a special Ford Super 30-specific installation kit.
 
I know there isn't any real front lockers for the 98+ Ranger, but the Dana 30 has lockers available for it.

So...would it be possible to swap in an Explorer Dana 30 in place of the Ranger SLA Dana 35 to have locker options????
 
The carrier in the super 30 is just a standard D30 carrier. Whatever can be put in a jeep will work in the super 30 carrier wise. As far as intstall kits nothing really special about them other than the roller bearings for the axle shafts. As long as the mounting points are in the same location I wouldn't see why you couldn't put one into a ranger. I would believe Ford went to the super 30 because all the other makes use a super 30 in similar size vehicles...kinda how all the small cars are using the same model aisin warner automatic transmissions.
 
Can the ring and pinion swap over from a regular dana 30 to a "super 30"?
 

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