just how bad is the D28??

[85DANGERanger]

well i hear nothing but bad things about it, im about to go on a off road trip with some buddies in about 3 weeks and been worried sick that im just gunna break axles shafts and be done the first couple hours of the weekend trip. ive did my research on the D28 and seen some guys tack weld the u-joint caps to the ears to prevent them from spinning and poping out. i went to all the junkyards around my area and scooped up 3 left side axle safts since it seems those are the worst for breaking. i replace the u-joints on all of them and did the tack weld trick to all of them too. so whats everyones opinion, i dont plan on any xtreme wheeling, just some trails and a some mud. you think it will hold up alright?? whats it take to break one, is it really that easy to kill one?

 

[Hahnsb2]

What size tires?

I never broke mine on 31s but I was locked in the rear so that makes the rear do most of the work.

 

[85DANGERanger]

31 bfg a/t

 

[Downey]

you should be fine just do turn the wheels all the way one direction and stomp it to the floor be smart about wheeling most of the time people break things is because they are holding it to the floor and beating the hell out of shit. just be smart and you will be fine.

 

[4x4junkie]

+1

31" tires should be OK as long as you don't go crazy on the gas while you have the steering turned. Welding those joints in the shafts is probably the one big thing you can do to improve a D28's reliability (that, and keeping the open differential).

Of course 3 weeks is still plenty of time to find a D35 and swap it in place of the 28

 

[85DANGERanger]

+1

31" tires should be OK as long as you don't go crazy on the gas while you have the steering turned. Welding those joints in the shafts is probably the one big thing you can do to improve a D28's reliability (that, and keeping the open differential).

Of course 3 weeks is still plenty of time to find a D35 and swap it in place of the 28

i thought about it, then i just told myself ill just go to this last wheeling trip before winter then put some full widths under it over winter.

 

[85DANGERanger]

well hopefully ill have a good time and not get too carried away. i have a few extra shaft just incase.

 

[85DANGERanger]

what do you think about the ingenious idea for the "ball and socket" type drive shaft? ditch it and get the u-joint type or will it work ok for now?? i really dont wanna spend $200+ on a driveshaft if this one i have now will work ok, its in pretty good shape. not loose or anything.

 

[atvkid4eva]

the cheapest most reasonable thing for you to do would just to be go on your wheeling trip and if you do happen to break a shaft just simply replace it with one of the spares you have...then when you get back start looking for a d35 to put in place of the d28 so you no longer have to worry..you should be fine with 31's and a d28 with moderate wheeling.

 

[BlackBII]

I busted a few shafts with 31's and a Dana 28...but I did have a 4 point O.

I'd just bring the spares with you and take it easy on the gas pedal.

 

[dangerranger83]

He wants to go full widths so I see a D44 SAS in his future. I have nothing against the D35, my sister has one on her sploder and man is it bullet proof, until the 4wd quit working. Shes isn't worried about it though and nor is my bro-in-law, He he has a 98 f-150 4.6, and 91 f-250 4x4 5.8 liter got that truck for free, and a 93 2wd ranger 2.3 liter.

 

[Hahnsb2]

what do you think about the ingenious idea for the "ball and socket" type drive shaft? ditch it and get the u-joint type or will it work ok for now?? i really dont wanna spend $200+ on a driveshaft if this one i have now will work ok, its in pretty good shape. not loose or anything.

Toss that thing in the trash! They're garbage on a stock street rig. I just happened to find a u-joint replacement shaft for mine at the junkyard for $20.. Literally the first thing I changed on my B2 when I got it..

 

[scotts90ranger]

yeah, the CV shaft sucks...

I've been TRYING to kill my D28 for a few months, stabbing the gas (turbo installed) and working the steering and it just keeps going... I think my failure to break the thing goes with the softness of the power application because of the turbo lag... I'm running 31's and 4.10's which seems to be the easiest setup to break them from what I hear

I've got a D35 and 8.8 waiting in the garage for when I buy gears and tires, and will probably have to buy leaf springs too...

 

[dangerranger83]

Just take it over some curbs, wedge the tires into some rocks and gas it while turning, etc.....how hard can it be. Persway it to break, help it out.

 

[85DANGERanger]

He wants to go full widths so I see a D44 SAS in his future. I have nothing against the D35, my sister has one on her sploder and man is it bullet proof, until the 4wd quit working. Shes isn't worried about it though and nor is my bro-in-law, He he has a 98 f-150 4.6, and 91 f-250 4x4 5.8 liter got that truck for free, and a 93 2wd ranger 2.3 liter.

yup, my buddy has a 79' f150. he's gunna sell the axles to me whenever i wanna buy them.