The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger 4×4 came equipped with a Dana 35 SLA (Short arm Long Arm) front axle. Unlike the reverse rotation Dana 35 used from 1990-1997, the Dana 35 SLA is a standard rotation axle. This means that the gears from a 1990-1997 Dana 35 will not work in a 1998-2011 Ford Ranger.
The 1995-2001 Ford Explorer 4×4 also used the Dana 35 SLA front axle.
The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger Dana 35 is offset on the driver’s side and uses an intermediate shaft similar to the Dana 35 used in previous years but is not attached to the axle beam as in previous years. Instead, the Dana 35 is fixed in place between the frame rails with (3) bolts. Instead of axle beams, it uses a long arm / short arm setup and CV (Constant Velocity) shafts:
Dana 35 Front Right CV Axle Shaft
(Note that the left side has a sleeve for the Dana 35 intermediate shaft to slide in to.)
Pulse Vacuum Hubs
The 1998-2000 Ford Ranger 4X4 had PVH hubs (Pulse Vacuum Hubs). When the truck is switched into 4WD, a signal is sent to the transfer case control module, which shifts the transfer case, but also sends a signal to a vacuum solenoid under the hood. The vacuum solenoid then uses engine vacuum (suction) to activate the front locking hubs.
There is a manual lockout hub available as an upgrade to the PVH Hub setup, but the only way to install manual hubs on a 2001-2011 Ranger would be to swap in the axles and hubs from a 1998-2000 Ford Ranger 4×4. There are several articles in our Tech Library that deal with the PVH hubs and possible modifications & upgrades.
(1998-2000 Ford Ranger Dana 35 PVH Hub)
Live Axle Setup
From 2001-2011, the Ford Ranger used a live axle setup. The front axle shafts from 2001-2011 are permanently locked to the front differential.
(2001-2011 Ford Ranger Dana 35 Live Axle – No Hub)
Specifications
|
Dana 35 SLA (Standard Rotation) |
Specifications |
| Ring Gear Diameter | 7.562 Inches |
| Ring Gear Bolts | (8) 3/8″ x 24 RH |
| Pinion Stem | 1.406″ |
| Carrier Breaks | 3.45 Higher / 3.73 Lower |
| Axle Shaft Diameter / Spline | 1.125″ / 27 |
| Diff Cover Bolts | 10 |
| Factory Ratios | 3.73, 4.10 |
| Aftermarket Ratios | 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88 |
| Max Tire Diameter Rating | 33 Inches |
| Pinion Bearing Preload | 12-16 In Lbs (new) 6-7 In Lbs (used) |
| Backlash | .006 – .010 Inches |
| Ring Gear Torque | 55 Lbs Foot |
| Carrier Bearing Cap Torque | 55 Lbs Foot |
| Pinion Nut Torque | 170-500 Lbs Foot (crush sleeve) |
| Fluid Capacity | 3.25 pts |
Ranger Dana 35 SLA VS Ford Explorer Dana 35 SLA
The 1995-1996 Ford Explorer uses a vacuum disconnect system on the axle – which should not be confused with the PVH vacuum hubs on the 1998-2000 Ford Ranger. The axle disconnect on the Explorer relies on engine vacuum, control valves and an electrical current to activate/de-activate it. This means you can’t just install a Dana 35 housing from a 1995-1996 Ford Explorer in your 1998 and newer Ford Ranger.
(1995-1996 Ford Explorer Dana 35 Housing With Axle Disconnect)
(Axle Disconnect Diagram)
Greasing The Hub
Some people grease the live axle front hubs on their 2001-2011 Ford Ranger by removing the abs sensor, and pumping grease into the hole.
Diagram:
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| 1 | Differential housing | 28 | Lock – Differential Shaft |
| 2 | Ring Gear & Pinion Kit | 29 | Seal – Oil |
| 3 | PKG – Pinion Adj Shim | 30 | Bearing |
| 4 | Inner Pinion Bearing Kit | 31 | Bearing (Discon/Non-Discon) |
| 5 | Baffle – Pinion Oil | 32 | Seal – Oil (Discon/Non-Discon) |
| 6 | Collapsible Spacer | 33 | Shaft-Axle Assy (Discon) |
| 7 | Outer Pinion Bearing Kit | 34 | Motor Assembly |
| 8 | Slinger – Outer Pinion Brg. | 35 | O-Ring |
| 9 | Seal – Pinion | 36 | Cover – Disconnect Hsg. |
| 10 | End Yoke Assembly | 37 | Clips – Shift Fork |
| 11 | Slinger – End Yoke | 38 | Snap Ring |
| 12 | Nut – Pinion | 39 | Snap Ring |
| 13 | Cover – Carrier | 40 | Shift Fork |
| 14 | RTV Silicone Sealant | 41 | Bolt – Cover & Motor Assy |
| 15 | Plug – Carrier Cover | 42 | Clutch Collar (Discon) |
| 16 | Bolt – Carrier Cover (qty 10) | 43 | Gasket (Discon) |
| 17 | Cap – Differential Bearing | 44 | Shaft – Output (Discon) |
| 18 | Bolt – Differential Bearing | 45 | Snap Ring |
| 19 | Differential Bearing Kit | 46 | Bushing (Discon) |
| 20 | Case – Differential | N.I. | Bolt (Discon) |
| 21 | Bolt – Drive Gear (qty 8) | N.I. | Protection Shield (Discon) |
| 22 | Pinion – Differential | 49 | Thrustwasher (Discon) |
| 23 | Gear – Differential | 50 | Thrustwasher (Discon) |
| 24 | Pkg. – Differential Adj Shim | 51 | Snap Ring (Discon) |
| 25 | Thrustwasher – Diff Pinion | 52 | Shaft Assy.(Non-Discon) |
| 26 | Thrustwasher – Diff Gear | 53 | Bushing (Discon) |
| 27 | Shaft – Differential |
Identification Label
The front differential housing will have a label on the bottom of it:
The label is similar to the one found on the Dana 35 TTB Axle beams of the 1990-1997 Ford Ranger:
The sticker will list the gear ratio across the top (second from the right). If you look closely, you can see that this sticker indicates a 3.55 gear ratio (this sticker is from an Explorer Dana 35). Below the yellow section, you will see ‘F87A’. That breaks down as:
- F = 1990’s
- 8 = Last number in the year
- A = Ranger/Explorer
So, this sticker came off of a 1998 Explorer / Ranger with a 3.55 gear ratio. For more information on decoding Ford Part Numbers, click HERE.
The top left corner of the label lists the DANA PN: 610642 – 2. If you look at the chart below, you’ll see that it’s a
- 1998-1998 1/2 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV Dana 35 Axle
- 3.55 Gear Ratio
Build Of Material Numbers For 1998-2011 Dana 35 Axles
| DANA PN: (BOM) | VEHICLE |
| 610642 | 1998 – 1998-1/2 Ford Ranger |
| 611053 | 2001 Ford Ranger |
| 611222 | 2002 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 611316 | 2002-2004 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2002645 | 2004-2005 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2002646 | 2004-05 Explorer/Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2002750 | 2004-2006 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 611360 | 2004-2005 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2001858 | 2005 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2006015 | 2006-2007 Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2006665 | 2006-2011 Explorer/Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| 2007693 | 2006-2011 Explorer/Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV |
| DANA PN: (BOM) | DIFF TYPE | RATIO |
| 1995 Explorer – Disconnect- CV | ||
|---|---|---|
| 610476-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610476-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610476-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610476-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 1995-1996 Ford Explorer – Disconnect- CV | ||
| 610581-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610581-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610581-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610581-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 610582-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610582-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610582-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610582-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 1996 Ford Explorer – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 610585-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610586-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 1997 1/2 Ford Explorer – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 610644-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610644-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610644-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610644-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 1998 Ford Explorer – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 610556-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610556-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610556-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 610556-5 | Standard | 4.56 |
| 1998-1998 1/2 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 610642-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610642-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610642-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610642-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 1998-1998 1/2 Ford Explorer – Non-Disconnect- CV | ||
| 610643-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610643-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610643-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 610643-5 | Standard | 4.56 |
| 610645-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610645-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610645-3 | Standard | 3.74 |
| 610645-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 1999 Ford Explorer – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 610774-1 | Standard | 3.27 |
| 610774-2 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 610774-3 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 610774-4 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2000 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Pick-Up | ||
| 611044-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 611044-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2001 Ford Ranger | ||
| 611053-1 | Standard | 4.56 |
| 2002 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 611222-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 611222-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2002-04 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 611316-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 611316-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2004-2005 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 2002645-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 2002645-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2002750-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 2002750-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 611360-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 611360-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2005 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 2001858-1 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 2006-2007 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 2006015-1 | Standard | 3.55 |
| 2007-2008 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV | ||
| 2006665-1 | Standard | 3.73 |
| 2006665-2 | Standard | 4.10 |
| 2007693-1 | Standard | 3.55 |
Dana Spicer Parts Catalogs
For more Dana BOM numbers, part numbers and parts breakdown check out:
Dana Axles 1978-1998 (Including Ford Ranger)
Dana Axles 1999-2011 (Including Ford Ranger)
Dana Spicer Axle Part Number Catalog
Related Articles
1998-2000 Ford Ranger PVH Hub Swap To Live Axle
Convert Ford Ranger Live Axles To Manual Hubs
1998-2000 Ford Ranger Manual Locking Hubs
1998-2000 Ranger Hub Bearing Replacement
Permanently Lock Your ’98-’00 PVH Hubs
Adding Manual Control To Your 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Pulse Vacuum Hubs
Troubleshoot / Fix Your PVH Hubs
1998-2000 PVH Hubs Diagnose & Repair TSB
1999-2000 Ford Ranger PVH Hub Operation & Troubleshooting
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About The Author:
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.