88 Ranger Dana 28 - Dana 44 TTB Swap

[98pitranger]

I have a 88 Ranger 4x4 Xcab with a 4.0 v6 swap done already, but its got the sissy lala Dana 28's. I also have a 90 full size bronco with some pretty TTB Dana 44's under it and i believe a 8 inch or 8.8 in the rear, i have been looking at them for some time now. I dont want to narrow my axles (rather just buy some fender flares). Anybody have information that could make my way a little easier? Thank you.
Also one small somewhat irrelevant question, how bad would my mpg go down with the 44's under my ranger say if i went from my 31's to some 33's or 35's? thanks again

 

[98pitranger]

extra info - ranger has a 3 inch body lift and bronco has a 6 inch suspension lift. so everything should clear, just curious how much would be bolt on and how much fab would be required

 

[4x4junkie]

Little from the Bronco suspension will swap with the axle (maybe the coils you could use, though there are better coils out there that aren't as stiff).

If you search back a ways, there's already been a good amount of discussion about FW D44 TTB swaps.

The basics are you'll have to space your coil buckets off your frame 1-2 inches, and there are a few different ways to deal with the 2" difference in spacing of the axle pivots on the two vehicles (lengthen the beams, redrill the brackets, or bolt straight in and shorten the passengerside axle shaft a bit).


Your axle gear ratio will heavily influence what your MPG will be. If you're thinking of 35" tires, you'd probably want to get 4.88 or maybe even 5.13 gears if you have a 4.0L. Also keep in mind the wider stance w/flares will create more aerodynamic drag, which will also affect your MPG.

 

[98pitranger]

thanks for the reply, i will search more in the forums for FW D44 TTB swaps. one small question regarding mpg, if i did the swap and kept the stock gearing and tire size (31) would the weight of the axle itself lower my mileage significantly? thank you.

 

[4x4junkie]

one small question regarding mpg, if i did the swap and kept the stock gearing and tire size (31) would the weight of the axle itself lower my mileage significantly? thank you.

Not near as much as it's extra width (and therefore wind drag) would.

I don't think the D44 is more than about 90 - 100 lbs heavier than a D28 (or about 60-70 or so lbs over a D35).

 

[98pitranger]

how bad would the wind drag lower my mpg? say if i get 20 highway/ 16-17 city. this is kinda my make or break decision. if it only changes it a couple mpg then ill go with it but if it is like a 5 mpg difference ill have to probably narrow the axles.

 

[4x4junkie]

I would think together with the wider rear probably somewhere around 2, maybe 3 MPG. It'll impact your hwy mileage more heavily than city mileage.