Ford Ranger 4x4 Front Axle: 1998-2011

The Ford Ranger 4×4 received a new SLA (Short arm Long Arm) suspension in 1998, and used that suspension until its production end in 2011.

Unlike the reverse rotation Dana 35 used from 1990-1997, the Dana 35 SLA is a standard rotation axle. This means that the gears from a 1990-1997 Dana 35 will not work in a 1998-2011 Ford Ranger.

The 1995-2001 Ford Explorer 4×4 also used the Dana 35 SLA front axle.

The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger Dana 35 is offset on the drivers side and uses an intermediate shaft similar to the Dana 35 used in previous years, but is not attached to the axle beam as in previous years. Instead, the Dana 35 is fixed in place between the frame rails with (3) bolts. Instead of axle beams, it uses a long arm / short arm setup and CV (Constant Velocity) shafts:

Dana 35 Front Left CV Axle Shaft

Dana 35 Front Right CV Axle Shaft

(Note that the left side has a sleeve for the Dana 35 intermediate shaft to slide in to.)

Manual Lockout Hubs:

The 1998-2011 Ford Ranger Dana 35 DOES NOT come with manual hubs. The 1998-2000 model had PVH hubs (Pulse Vacuum Hubs), but from 2001-2011, it was a live axle setup. The front axle shafts from 2001-2011 are permanently locked to the front differential. There is a manual lockout hub available as an upgrade to the PVH Hub setup, but the only way to install manual hubs on a 2001-2011 Ranger would be to swap in the axles and hubs from a 1998-2000 Ford Ranger 4×4.

There are several articles in our ‘Axle Section’ under ‘Locking Hubs’ that deal with the PVH hubs and possible modifications & upgrades.

(2001-2011 Ford Ranger Dana 35 Live Axle – No Hub)

(1998-2000 Ford Ranger Dana 35 PVH Hub)

Specifications:

Specification	Dana 35 SLA (Standard Rotation)
Ring Gear Diameter	7.562 Inches
Ring Gear Bolts	(8) 3/8″ x 24 RH
Pinion Stem	1.406″
Carrier Breaks	3.45 Higher / 3.73 Lower
Axle Shaft Diameter / Spline	1.125″ / 27
Diff Cover Bolts	10
Factory Ratios	3.73, 4.10
Aftermarket Ratios	3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88
Max Tire Diameter Rating	33 Inches
Pinion Bearing Preload	12-16 In Lbs (new) 6-7 In Lbs (used)
Backlash	.006 – .010 Inches
Ring Gear Torque	55 Lbs Foot
Carrier Bearing Cap Torque	55 Lbs Foot
Pinion Nut Torque	170-500 Lbs Foot (crush sleeve)
Fluid Capacity	3.25 pts

Identification Label:

The front differential housing will have a label on the bottom of it:

The label is similar to the one found on the Dana 35 TTB Axle beams of the 1990-1997 Ford Ranger:

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/Ranger with a 3.55 gear ratio.

For more information on decoding Ford Part Numbers, click HERE.

Diagram:

Item	Description	Item	Description
1	Differential housing	21	Inner pinion bearing cup
2	Vent tube	22	Differential case
3	Differential drive outer pinion bearing cup	23	Differential ring gear and pinion
4	Outer pinion bearing	24	Differential pinion shaft roll pin
5	Front axle drive pinion shaft oil slinger	25	Differential ring gear bolt (8 required)
6	Pinion seal	26	Differential housing cover
7	Drive pinion oil seal deflector	27	Differential cover bolts (10 required)
8	Pinion flange	28	Differential bearing cap
9	Pinion nut washer	29	Differential preload/backlash shim
10	Pinion nut	30	Differential bearing cap bolt (4 required)
11	Bushing (3 required)	31	Differential bearings
12	Axle to frame bracket	32	Differential bearing cup
13	Axle bracket to housing bolt (3 required)	33	Differential pinion shaft
14	Fill plug	34	Differential pinion thrust washers
15	Stub shaft oil seal	35	Differential side gear thrust washers
16	Stub shaft bearing	36	Differential side gears
17	Oil restrictor plate (baffle)	37	Differential pinion gears
18	Collapsible spacer	38	Axle intermediate shaft
19	Pinion position shim	39	Axle circlip
20	Inner pinion bearing

For a better breakdown and part numbers, click HERE (starts on page 11)

Ranger Dana 35 SLA VS Ford Explorer Dana 35 SLA:

The Ford Explorer received the Dana 35 SLA (often referred to as a Dana 35 IFS) in 1995, and used this axle until 2001. While some believe the Dana 35 is the only axle used in the front of the Explorer, it actually received a Dana 30 starting in 2002. Click HERE for information on the Dana 30 Version.

The 1995-1996 Ford Explorer uses a vacuum disconnect system on the axle – which should not be confused with the PVH vacuum hubs on the 1998-2000 Ford Ranger. The axle disconnect on the Explorer relies on engine vacuum, control valves and an electrical current to activate/de-activate it. This means you can’t just install a Dana 35 housing from a 1995-1996 Ford Explorer in your 1998 and newer Ford Ranger.