dana 28 4.56

[ftkdngorgeous]

I have an 1987 ranger "bigfoot cruiser". Some one before me put in 4.56 gears.anyone know where I can find a replacement ring and pinion for it. Thanks.

 

[4x4junkie]

Dana28 gears have not been available for probably 10 years or longer.
My suggestion would be to swap to the later Dana35 front axle and put 4.56s in that.

The D35 is a far better & stronger axle anyway, and it's 100% bolt-in if you have a suspension lift (no suspension lift = shorten the front driveshaft 1 inch).
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/D28_D35_swap.html

Hope that helps
Welcome to TRS.

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[ftkdngorgeous]

Thank you. I have most of the parts for the dana 35, I think the only thing I am missing is one of the axle beams. Honestly I am little nervous to tear into this as it is the Bigfoot Cruiser. I know they are a rare truck. I would like to keep it as stock as possible. I got this truck as a "gift". It sat for 6 years after someone stripped the ring and pinion. after cleaning the fuel system including injectors, replacing most of the ignition system. I have it running almost right. If I can find the right gears or I can convince myself to put the 35 in I just might keep it.. Does anyone know a good place to get the 4.56s for the Dana 35 for decent money?

 

[4x4junkie]

Does anyone know a good place to get the 4.56s for the Dana 35 for decent money?

Good place right here:
http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/


As for the D28... Is this going to be just for show? If so, then it probably wouldn't really matter too much (except there's still the issue of trying to find a replacement 4.56 ring & pinion or a used differential chunk). However if you plan to actually drive it offroad at all, it would be foolish to put any coin at all into the D28 (the D28 really has no business on a vehicle any larger than a golf cart).
You can see how radically bigger the D35 axle innards are compared to the D28 here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4wd_Front_Axles.html

What I would do is swap the D35 in, but keep the D28 parts on hand just so you have them if you ever decide to restore and maybe sell the truck. This way you can drive it around, and hopefully maybe you can locate a used 4.56 D28 chunk or gears for it in the meantime.

 

[JohnAllen]

Thank you. I have most of the parts for the dana 35, I think the only thing I am missing is one of the axle beams. Honestly I am little nervous to tear into this as it is the Bigfoot Cruiser. I know they are a rare truck. I would like to keep it as stock as possible. I got this truck as a "gift". It sat for 6 years after someone stripped the ring and pinion. after cleaning the fuel system including injectors, replacing most of the ignition system. I have it running almost right. If I can find the right gears or I can convince myself to put the 35 in I just might keep it.. Does anyone know a good place to get the 4.56s for the Dana 35 for decent money?

I know this is a dead thread but did you find that 4.56 gear set?