Build a 28 spline or swap a 31 spline?

bobbywalter · Sep 3, 2018

the ttb had 327 as a fairly common ratio...

but the ifs is supposed to be 3.08 or 3.55

i remember there being a carrier for 327 though.

shr3dd3r 09 · Sep 4, 2018

So I looked on Rockauto at the entire front differential assembly, and they list a front differential in a 3.27 ratio for the 2000 AWD explorer IFS.

Per Rockauto:
ZUMBROTA RAA4401348A Remanufactured
Front; AWD; Ratio: 3.27; Dana 35, 7.562 Inch Ring Gear, IFS

It's over $700.00 after core return, but that is still cheaper than buying the ring and pinion and new carrier. What I'[m wonderin gis if this will fit my Ranger? I was thinking the front differential section is identical between the 1998-2000 explorers/rangers. Is the AWD differentiual different from the 4WD diff in my truck? Swapping the differential would be much easier than doing a gear swap in the front, and cheaper it looks like.

bobbywalter · Sep 4, 2018

700 bux makes a dana 61 and 70 rear from a dodge with 308 gears look good.

there could be a flange difference depending on actual shafts, but i have interchanged them.

shr3dd3r 09 · Sep 4, 2018

bobbywalter said:
700 bux makes a dana 61 and 70 rear from a dodge with 308 gears look good.

there could be a flange difference depending on actual shafts, but i have interchanged them.

Drive shaft and/or flange could be modified if need be. I just need to know if the two diffs are interchangeable. They don't list this diff for the 2000 ranger, but that is likely because it wasn't a factory ratio. One would think they'd be the same right?

700 is definitely high, but based on what I've found so far replacing the whole differential is the cheapest and easiest route, unless I luck out and find a used 3.27 ratio front diff. But that hasn't happened yet.

I didn't even know explorers came from the factory in 4WD configuration with 3.27 ratios. I've only seen 3.27 in 2wd models, but who knows.

don4331 · Sep 12, 2018

My '99 Ranger is running '00 Explorer differential/axles/hubs as I wanted the gears and hubs from the Ex (4.10s in my case and full time, not vacuum hubs).

Everything unbolted/bolted back in less than couple hours on driveway - one of the easier swaps I have done. As far as I could tell everything was identical.

The book say axle code 41 for Ex with open diffs & 3.27 ratio, D1 for limited slip in rear. Car-part has a number of them from $100 to 1k.

shr3dd3r 09 · Sep 12, 2018

I'm fortunate my ranger does not have vacuum hubs. It is a 2000 but definitely not the PVH setup. I'm going to swap in the 2000 expo rear end that has 3.27s, then worry about finding a front diff to swap in. Car part lists the front diff in 3.27? Rockauto lists one for $700 remanufactured. I just need to be absolutely sure the front differentials are interchangeable before I go dead set on 3.27 gears. I think they are the same...I hope.

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pjtoledo · Sep 12, 2018

I have seen Dana sites with all the part #s and what was available,,,but cannot seem to find them now.

I would venture to GUESS that the housing is the same, with the difference being the carrier. when the ratios get low the pinion gear gets bigger and eventually the ring needs to move back. I'm sure you already knew that, I just feel like typing tonight.

2002edgeplussupercab · Sep 19, 2018

shr3dd3r 09 said:
So I have a Cummins 4bt in my 2000 4x4 ranger. It has 4.10 gears and at some point soon I'd like to re gear to 3.07/3.08 to keep the 4bt in it's power band and still be able to cruise 70-75 around 1800-2000 rpm. I have 33 inch tires currently.

So I can either re gear my stock open 28 spline rear end or buy a 31 spline explorer axle and re gear that one and swap it in.

My question is can the 28 spline axle be upgraded to handle more horsepower/torque? Or is it best to just swap a 31 spline in it? I realize most people just do an axle swap, but if I do that I STILL have to swap the gears to a ratio that will have to be aftermarket to really get it where I need it.

Are there kits out there to really build a 28 spline axle? Is it worth it vs. buying a 31 spline and swapping gears? The max power it will see is 200hp/450ft-lbs if I ever decide to add an Intercooler and mod the fuel pump. I'd guess right now it's around 130hp/300ft-lbs with my modest upgrades.

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How does a man figure out if his differential is 28 or 31 spline ?

fastpakr · Sep 19, 2018

If you did around Google a bit you can find pictures of the two types of axle tubes. There is a distinct visual difference in the way the tubes neck down towards the end.

Build a 28 spline or swap a 31 spline?

bobbywalter

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shr3dd3r 09

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bobbywalter

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shr3dd3r 09

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don4331

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shr3dd3r 09

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pjtoledo

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2002edgeplussupercab

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fastpakr

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