Dana 35 swap question with diff clearance?

[surratt]

Swapping in a Dana 35 on my 87 bronco 2 in a few weeks. It has a 4 inch lift currently. Ive read in the tech forum that there are clearance issues with the 2 piece style drop brackets. What is the solution to this? Supposedly skyjacker has a one piece style that has more clearance but can i modify to eliminate spending money on that? Also will using bumpstop extensions solve that problem?

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you currently have a drop plate for the passenger side axle beam, that is the one that will interfere with the diff, yes dropping the bump stops will help, at least on the drivers side axle beam, before you install the spring jack up that side until you have a clearance issue then limit the up travel to a bit less than that so it can't hit there. Also it would probably help to grind away some of the parts of the bracket that get in the way.

 

[surratt]

cool...well to save myself a headache down the road i may just try to find the bracket from skyjacker that will give me the clearance i need...the last thing i want to do is crack that diff bc i miscalculated my bumpsotps

 

[4x4junkie]

I recall someone on here had cut away part of the drop-plate extension on theirs to gain clearance (removing one bolt from where the OE bracket attaches to it in the process). To make up the lost strength they welded the OE bracket all around to the drop extension (just an idea if $$$ is tight).

IMO, replacing that bracket with a one-piece drop bracket is no doubt the best way to do it.

However either method is better than limiting your travel with bumpstop extensions.

 

[surratt]

well the bracket was 90 bucks shipped from skyjacker so to save myself a headache i just ordered that badboy

 

[4x4junkie]