I want to upgrade my front axle on my BII and was just wondering what a good front axle to upgrade to would be? it still has the 2.9L in it but eventually it will have a V8 in it. any advice is appreciated.......

 

The Dana 35 TTB out of a '91-'94 Explorer or '91-'97 Ranger is supposed to be a near bolt in swap (might need to shorten the front driveshaft and other minor things). If you get it out of a Ranger, just make sure you get the true Dana 35 and not the Dana 35/Dana 28 hybrid.

 

how can you tell the difference between the true D35 and the Hybrid?

 

therangerstation.com has a page describing how to tell the difference. The main differences are internal. The hybrid uses the same guts (R&P and carrier) as the Dana 28 while using the same externals (axleshafts and such) as the Dana35. It seems like the ribbing on the outside of the pumpkin might be different but I'm not sure.

 

i was thinking about trying to find a D44 out of the local junkyard but as questioning how hard of a swap it would really be....

 

If you do not intend on taking on the Baja, the Dana 28 TTB front end is a lot more rugged than given credit. I know of a Bronco II that has a 351w and stock front end, it takes trails just fine. I have been driving Rangers since they first came out, and have never broke a stock 4X4 front end. I do trails frequently with my old 84 Ranger 4x4, gone places that jeeps and toyotas think twice about. The people who think they can hit these type places at 40mph are the ones who break things..........and the places I have gone you do NOT want to break something,...... just use your head.