hubs on rear axle?

[CountryBoy704]

doing a rear end swap soon mine is blown up, anyone know if a rear axle exists that would allow for the use of hubs like on the front? it would go on a '87 ranger but i could make just about anything fit so blot-in swap isn't necessary
Thanks

 

[Bennybooster]

They have a kit for heeps so that you can tow them behind trucks

 

[Andres629]

Yeah, it's the Dana 35 kit from Warn. We like t use those hubs on the front... I wouldn't ever want a D35 in the rear.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

Warn used to make a kit many years ago, but it got discontinued quite a while ago. You may be able to luck out and find one around a parts swap, but there is no support for it anymore.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

My buddy has a Warn kit in his early bronco on the 9"...its now a full floater with locking hubs.

 

[strvger]

came in handy if you broke something in the rear on a trail. just unlock the hub and hopefully drive out with just the front wheels. seen it done.

 

[CountryBoy704]

ok so it looks like the answer is a fully floating axle setup? i cant find anyone selling conversions for the smaller axles anymore, but it probably wouldnt be hard to find on a 250 or 350 truck but that seems a little overkill for a ranger with a 2.9 dosent it? anyone know what it would take to fit a full size floating axle into my ranger? and how much wider it would be?

 

[CountryBoy704]

anyone have experience swapping a full float dana 60 rear into a ranger?

 

[cargs]

no experience doing this but some things to think about:
- axle weight; the D60 is significantly heavier than a 7.5 or 8.8 axle, it might be a bit over kill.
- axle width; D60 was only offered in full width vehicles (IIRC)you will need to either shorten the axle so that the wheels will fit under your fenders, or leave it.
- spring perches; D60 perches will not line up with your springs, you will need to modify them to fit.
- shock tabs; again they will not line up with your truck
- drive shaft - pinion connection; not sure what is required, i don't know if a D60 has a pinion yoke or a flange, either way it won't fit your truck.
- emergency/parking brake connection; you will need to make yours fit with the brakes in the D60.
- gear ratio; you will need the same gear ratio as the front of your truck.

why do you want a full floating rear end on your truck?
do you need the ability to unlock the rear wheels?

the explorer 8.8 swap is plenty strong for most people, it is the correct width, even comes with disk brakes. you just need to weld on new spring perches. (look for a 1995 or newer for disk brakes.)

good luck

 

[CountryBoy704]

i have to replace it anyways and my main thing would be the reliability of a manual locking hub, one for flat towing and just because i i dont have money for a good gear type locker, what i really want is an 8.8 or even a 9 thats been converted to ff but nobody sells the conversion kits anymore and i doubt ill find one sitting in the bone yard

 

[kolton]

If you run a D60 rear, even with 33"s say good bye to ground clearance if you like to play in the rocks. You can do a one ton swap, gear the axles, and build a doubler and the 2.9 will survive. Rpm's on the road will suck. Unfortunatly I'm gonna have to say do the 8.8 swap unless you have the money to replace the drivetrain. Motor and all. Your tranny will hate you if you don't upgrade to a M50DR1, and even that is pushing it.

Sorry to be a buzz kill. But unless your ready to be trail only and on 37"s. Its not very realistic with a 2.9 drivetrain set up.