Introduction:
In 1995, the Ford Explorer 4×4 went from the Dana 35 TTB (Twin Traction Beam) front axle to a Dana 35 SLA (Sort arm Long Arm) front axle. From 2002-2010 the Ford Explorer used either the Dana 35 SLA or a Dana Super 30. I really don’t understand why Ford used two different differentials, but I found the BOM numbers to show that both differentials were used. You can find the Dana 35 SLA BOM numbers on the Dana 35 SLA page.
When looking at a Dana Spicer catalog the Super 30 used in the Ford Explorer is referred to as the Super 30/198 and the Super 30 used in Jeeps is the Super 30/186.
The Super 30 should not be confused with the ‘Super 30’ axle upgrade kit intended for the regular Dana 30 axles. The ‘Super 30 kit’ upgrades a Dana 30 27-spline shaft to a 30-spline shaft.
The Dana 35 SLA and the Dana Super 30 both use 27-spline shafts but use different carriers. The earlier 1995-2001 Dana 35 uses (8) ring gear bolts, and the 2002-2010 Dana ‘Super’ 30 uses (10) ring gear bolts.
Just like the Dana 35 SLA, the Dana Super 30 is a standard rotation axle.
The Ford Dana Super 30 will use Dana 30 ring and pinions that require a crush sleeve, but it needs a Ford specific installation kit due to some unique bearings and seals.
3.55 & 3.73 is the carrier break. So, if you wanted to add 4.10 gears, you would need a carrier that had 3.73 gears. You couldn’t put 4.10 gears in a carrier that originally had 3.73 gears.
Specifications:
| Ring Gear Diameter | 7.120 Inch |
| Rotation | Standard |
| Cover Bolts | 10 |
| Ring Gear Bolts | 10 |
| Spline Count | 27 |
| Carrier Breaks | 3.54 / 3.73 |
| Pinion Nut Size | 1-1/8 |
Why Does A Ranger Owner Need To Know This?
Because 1998 and newer Ranger owners may try to put a used carrier and or gears from an Explorer in to their Ranger, and it’s important to know that the 2002 and newer Explorer does not have the same front axle assembly found in their Ranger.
Parts View:
Identification Label:
The front differential housing will have a label on the bottom of it:
The sticker will list the gear ratio across the top (second from the right). If you look closely, you can see that this sticker indicates a 3.55 gear ratio (this sticker is from an Explorer Dana 35). Below the yellow section, you will see ‘F87A’. That breaks down as:
- F = 1990’s
- 8 = Last number in the year
- A = Ranger/Explorer
So, this sticker came off of a 1998 Explorer with a 3.55 gear ratio. For more information on decoding Ford Part Numbers, click HERE.
The top left corner of the label lists the DANA PN (Also known as the BOM – Build of Material Number): 610642 – 2. If you look at the Dana 35 SLA page, you’ll see that it’s a
- 1998-1998 1/2 Ford Explorer / Ford Ranger – Non-Disconnect – CV Dana 35 Axle
- 3.55 Gear Ratio
So, with that information, below is the DANA PN / BOM Number’s that identify the Ford Dana Super 30.
For more Dana Spicer Super 30 part numbers check out:
Build Of Material Numbers For Ford Dana Super 30:
| Bill of Material | VEHICLE |
| 611386 | 2004-2005 Ford Explorer |
| 611387 | 2005 Ford Explorer |
| 610833 | 2001-2004 Ford Explorer |
| 2005006 | 2006-2010 Ford Explorer |
| 611380 | 2006-2010 Ford Explorer |
| 2005047 | 2007-2010 Ford Explorer |
| 2002638 | 2004-2005 Ford Explorer |
| 2002639 | 2005 Ford Explorer |
| 611333 | 2004 Ford Explorer |