1989-4btranger
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 3
- Vehicle Year
- 1989
- Make / Model
- ford
- Transmission
- Manual
So, been the TRS a lot over the last few years, never posted on the forum tho. This site is excellent, love it!
So here is my dilemma. My ranger needs a new front axle because the 4bt , nv4500, np205 and heavy bumpers weigh too much for my poor dana 35, the wheel bearings are coming loose every week, they pound out the spindles, brakes could be better(I weigh 4600 lbs now), ball joints don't last. I snapped one outer stub once too, yeah cummins torque! well you get the point!
So as I see it my options are limited because of the driver's side drop pumpkin. 3 options I've re-searched and not sure what way to go.
1) do the 44 knuckle/spindle swap on the 35 beams
2) do the dana 44 ttb swap
3) dana 44 sas
As much as i'd like to do the solid axle it would cost almost 2x the amount to do the other two. I already have a locker in d35 and it's great. I honestly can't to back to open front so doing the knuckle swap is cheapest. I kinda half started the d35 knuckle swap but ran into issues with the driver's side beam. I don't have the tools to properly machine the beam so I have to get another and bring it to a machine shop.
just wondering if anyone has done the 44 knuckle swap or the 44 swap here and can give me a bit more info. the write ups aren't bad, but they could use some fleshing out in some areas
thanks guys!
So here is my dilemma. My ranger needs a new front axle because the 4bt , nv4500, np205 and heavy bumpers weigh too much for my poor dana 35, the wheel bearings are coming loose every week, they pound out the spindles, brakes could be better(I weigh 4600 lbs now), ball joints don't last. I snapped one outer stub once too, yeah cummins torque! well you get the point!
So as I see it my options are limited because of the driver's side drop pumpkin. 3 options I've re-searched and not sure what way to go.
1) do the 44 knuckle/spindle swap on the 35 beams
2) do the dana 44 ttb swap
3) dana 44 sas
As much as i'd like to do the solid axle it would cost almost 2x the amount to do the other two. I already have a locker in d35 and it's great. I honestly can't to back to open front so doing the knuckle swap is cheapest. I kinda half started the d35 knuckle swap but ran into issues with the driver's side beam. I don't have the tools to properly machine the beam so I have to get another and bring it to a machine shop.
just wondering if anyone has done the 44 knuckle swap or the 44 swap here and can give me a bit more info. the write ups aren't bad, but they could use some fleshing out in some areas
thanks guys!