Ford Ranger 4×4 Front Axles 1983-1997

Who This Page Is For

This page is intended for Ford Ranger and Bronco II owners who are identifying a front axle, planning a tire or suspension upgrade, rebuilding a Dana TTB axle, or deciding whether a Dana 35 swap is worthwhile over a Dana 28.

Introduction

All 1983–1997 Ford Ranger 4×4 models used Ford’s Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension. Depending on model year and configuration, Rangers were equipped with either a Dana 28 TTB, Dana 35 TTB, or a Dana 35 housing combined with Dana 28 internal components (Dana 35/28 hybrid).

While these axles appear similar, they differ in strength, internal components, brake compatibility, axle shafts, gear ratios, and upgrade potential. This page documents those differences to help with identification, repairs, and build planning.

Ford Twin Traction Beam (TTB) Front Axle Overview

The TTB suspension combines the ride quality of independent suspension with the strength and serviceability of a solid axle. Developed by Ford and Dana, it uses traditional axle components like U-jointed shafts, serviceable wheel bearings, and locking hubs.

Each beam pivots from the frame, supporting a steering knuckle. Inboard ends cross near the frame center with a U-joint allowing independent movement, improving ride comfort while maintaining durability.

Dana Axle Types (1983–1997)

• Dana 28 TTB – 1983–1989
• Dana 35 TTB – 1990–1997
• Dana 35/28 Hybrid – 1993–1997 (Dana 35 housing with Dana 28 internals)

The Dana 35/28 hybrid appears like a Dana 35 but retains Dana 28 differential strength limitations. See Dana 35 TTB Hybrid Details.

Dana 35 TTB (above) / Dana 28 TTB (below)

Dana 28 & Dana 35 TTB Specifications

Visual Differences: Dana 28 vs Dana 35

The Dana 28 TTB has a narrower width, smaller ring gear, and thinner axle shafts. The Dana 35 TTB has thicker beams, larger U-joints, and more robust spindles. Visual clues:

• Ring gear bolt pattern: Dana 28 is smaller, Dana 35 has 8 bolts.
• Axle shaft spline count: Dana 28 = 23, Dana 35 = 27.
• Dana 35 has a larger diff cover with more mounting bolts.

The below photos show the visual differences between the Dana 28 and Dana 35:

Axle Shaft Dimensions & Comparison

Ranger Dana 28 uses 1.00″ diameter, 23-spline shafts.

Dana 35 uses 1.16″ diameter, 27-spline shafts.

For hybrid Dana 35/28 axles, the outer shaft is Dana 35, but internal strength is limited by Dana 28 differential.

Spindles, Hubs & Brake Compatibility

Spindles

Dana 28 spindles are thinner and use smaller brake rotors/drums. Dana 35 spindles support larger brakes and aftermarket upgrades. Upgrading tires beyond 31″ on Dana 28 often requires a Dana 35 swap for safety.

Brakes

The 1983-1994 front brake is a single piston caliper with slide pins. In 1995 the caliper was upgraded to a dual piston (2-piston) caliper and the rotor was upgraded to 1.023 inches thick. The caliper bolts to the steering knuckle and does not use slide pins.

The 1983-1988 axle beams are different than the 1989-1997 beams. In 1989, Ford moved the ball joints from the beam to the steering knuckle. So you can not swap the 1995-1997 steering knuckles on to these beams. The dual piston calipers will only fit the 1995-1997 steering knuckles, and those knuckles can only be swapped on to the 1989-1994 beams. So if you have a 1983-1988, you’ll need to swap in a 1989-1994 beam, or swap in a 1995-1997 beam with the dual piston calipers.

For more information about the front brakes and brake upgrades, check out ‘Ford Ranger Brake Upgrades‘.

Dana Axle Identification Labels

Your front axle may have a code stamped on the left carrier arm between the fill plug and axle end.  It will look like ‘F17A‘ or similar.  What this code represents is;

E = 1980’s

F = 1990’s

1 = Last digit of year

7 = Ranger

A = Light Truck Engineering

For more information on breaking down codes, click HERE.

Since the Dana 28’s were built in the 1980’s, their code will start with an ‘E’ whereas the Dana 35’s were built in the 1990’s and will start with an ‘F’.  The above-mentioned code would indicate that the axle was a Ranger axle built in 1991.

There is a manufacturers label on the back side of the right axle beam that lists the year manufactured and gear ratio.

Build of Material (BOM) Numbers

For replacement parts, Dana lists build-of-material numbers. Typical reference numbers for Ranger axles:

 

Build Of Material Numbers For 1983-1989 Dana 28 Axles:

Bill of Material	Diff Type	Ratio
1983-1984 Ford Ranger
610171-1	Standard	3.08
610171-3	Standard	3.45
610171-5	Standard	3.73
610171-6	Trac Lok	3.73
610171-8	Standard	3.45
610171-9	Standard	3.73
610171-10	Standard	4.10
610171-11	Standard	3.08
610171-12	Standard	3.45
610171-13	Standard	3.73
610171-14	Standard	3.45
610171-15	Standard	3.73
610171-16	Standard	4.10
610171-17	Trac Lok	4.10
1984-1/2 To 1985 Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco II
610223-1	Trac Lok	3.73
610223-2	Standard	3.08
610223-3	Standard	3.45
610223-4	Standard	3.73
610223-5	Standard	3.45
610223-6	Standard	3.73
610223-7	Standard	4.10
610223-8	Trac Lok	4.10
610223-9	Standard	3.45
610223-10	Standard	3.73
610223-11	Standard	4.10
1986-1987 Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco II
610249-1	Trac Lok	3.73
610249-2	Standard	3.08
610249-3	Standard	3.45
610249-4	Standard	3.73
610249-5	Standard	4.10
610249-6	Trak Lok	4.10
610249-7	Standard	3.45
610249-8	Standard	3.73
610249-9	Standard	4.10
1987-1/2 Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco II
610298-3	Standard	3.45
610298-4	Standard	3.73
610298-5	Standard	4.10
610298-7	Standard	3.45
610298-8	Standard	3.73
610298-9	Standard	4.10
1988-1989 Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco II
610307-1	Standard	3.45
610307-2	Standard	3.73
610307-3	Standard	4.10
610307-4	Standard	3.45
610307-5	Standard	3.73
610307-6	Standard	4.10

NOTE: 610418, 610484, and 610653 are Dana 35/28 Hybrid axles. They’re listed in the Dana parts catalog under the Ford Model 28 /174 IFS Front Axles.

NOTE: For a breakdown of part numbers check out the Dana 28 Parts Catalog.

Build Of Material Numbers For 1990-1997 Dana 35 Axles:

Bill of Material	Diff Type	Ratio
1990 Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco II
610300-1	Standard	3.73
610300-2	Standard	3.55
610300-3	Standard	3.73
610300-4	Standard	3.55
610300-5	Standard	4.10
610300-6	Standard	4.10
1990-1/2 – 1992-1/2 Ford Explorer
610366-1	Standard	3.73
610366-2	Standard	3.55
610366-3	Standard	3.73
610366-4	Standard	3.55
610366-5	Standard	3.27
610366-7	Standard	3.55
610366-8	Standard	3.73
1990-1/2 92 1/2 Ranger/Bronco II
610365-1	Standard	3.73
610365-2	Standard	3.55
610365-3	Standard	3.73
610365-4	Standard	3.55
610365-5	Standard	4.10
610365-6	Standard	4.10
610365-7	Standard	3.27
610365-8	Standard	3.27
610365-9	Standard	3.55
610365-10	Standard	3.73
610365-11	Standard	4.10
1992-1/2 Ford Explorer
610437-1	Standard	3.27
610437-2	Standard	3.27
610437-3	Standard	3.55
610437-4	Standard	3.73
610437-5	Standard	3.73
1992-1/2 Ford Ranger
610436-1	Standard	3.27
610436-2	Standard	3.27
610436-3	Standard	3.55
610436-4	Standard	3.55
610436-5	Standard	3.73
610436-6	Standard	3.73
610436-7	Standard	4.10
610436-8	Standard	4.10
1994-1/2 Ford Explorer – ABS
610410-1	Standard	3.73
610410-2	Standard	3.73
610410-3	Standard	3.27
610410-4	Standard	3.27
610410-5	Standard	3.55
1993-1994 1/2 Ford Ranger
610419-1	Standard	3.73
610419-2	Standard	3.27
610419-3	Standard	3.27
610419-4	Standard	3.73
610419-5	Standard	3.45
610419-6	Standard	3.45
1995-1997 1/2 Ford Ranger – ABS
610483-3	Standard	3.27
610483-4	Standard	3.27
610483-7	Standard	3.73
610483-8	Standard	3.73
610483-11	Standard	3.27
610483-12	Standard	3.73
1997-1997 1/2 Ford Ranger
610652-1	Standard	3.27
610652-2	Standard	3.73
610652-3	Standard	3.27
610652-4	Standard	3.73

 

NOTE: For a breakdown of part numbers check out the Dana 35 Parts Catalog.

Related Articles

• Ford Dana 35 TTB Hybrid
• Dana 28 Parts Catalog / Exploded View
• Dana 35 Parts Catalog / Exploded View
• Dana 28 / Dana 35 Repair & Rebuild
• Replacing Axle Pivot Bushings
• Ford Ranger Brake Upgrades
• 1983-2011 Ford Ranger 4×4 Locking Hubs
• Dana 44 Spindle & Hub Conversion On Dana 35 TTB
• The Ford Ranger Front Suspension
• Should You Replace A Dana 35 TTB With A Dana 44?
• Beefing Up The Ford Ranger Dana 35 TTB
• 1983–1997 Ford Ranger TTB Suspension Modification Guide

Last Updated

Last Updated: January 2, 2026