I have a 94 2wd ranger(as of now). I am going to swap in a front axle. Already have my t-case, crossmember, driveshafts etc. I need to pick my front axle. What do you fellas think? Dana 28TTB from a 80's ranger or BII/Dana 35TTB from a 90's ranger/toyota 8"solid axle/jeep Dana 30 solid axle? Truck is running 33's now. I am not planning on anything bigger, maybe 35's at most for winter time. This truck believe it or not sees about 50/50 time between on and off road mostlly muddin and trails. Which axle would be the best all around?(ease of swap,strength,weight, etc) This is a 4cyl truck, no plans for any engine swap or high horsepower mods.

 

If you are going to stick to 33's and not upgrade the motor, Go with the lightest axle you can. Saving weight is like adding horsepower, Sure it would be nice to say I got a axle from a 1 ton truck and it will never break but if it is causing you to bog your motor what good is it? You'll never break the 35 with 33" tires in most sane situations.
A straight axle would be lighter and in some conditions will be an asset to have. HAving a good scale or acces to one could be a big help in building a truck with your parameters. Keep it light especially the unsprung weight and your wheels, the less rotational weight will read more power from the motor!! Remember power to weight to strength ratio. Keep it lighter and you won't need as much power or strength!!

 

I'd go with a solid axle, TTB are really a piece of crap, they aren't very strong and their heavy. The TTB ride slightly nicer than a solid axle, but not by much and the fact tha they are weaker is not worth it. My 92 Explorer has a TTB front and it rides like crap, and if I used it off road more, it would have already been replaced. If your going to use it for any kind of off road use a solid axle is the only way to go the TTB isn't even worth messing with.

 

I just read in a mag, an article about swapping in a hp dana30 from a jeep into a ranger. the fact that its hp means it will be much stronger for off road purposes. it is also a coil sprung front end to improve ride quality. However, it is very labor intensive and can be costly. but for a stout ride, it would be well worth it.

Also, check out this item at ebay....its bad- 200160663431

 

If you go to a desert race those guys are using TTB front axles and these guys go
100+mph and are constantly catching air. I don't see how you can figure they are weaker they same ring and pinion size,bearings etc. as their brothers. It is just a
thing enough people say something is bad the flock goes along with it(would you jump off a bridge if your friend did?) Some situations a solid is better, but a properly set up and maintained TTB will perform just as well in those situations and have better manners on road as well where unfortunately most 4x4 are living most of their lives.

Really if I was the poster I would just get a heavy duty winch, block and tackle, a high
lift jack, lower gear ratio and a locker, a lift kit and run it like a prerunner truck, I do a
good portion in 2wd and switch to 4x4 mostly to just to keep it working(use it or lose it!!) If you got the right gearing, a locker(selectable) and the right tires for your conditions(aired down) you can do alot with 2wd and either winch out or jack it up and throw down some dirt in the ruts if you do get stuck!!

 

I think i am going to stick with your plan which is my original plan. I took some measurements off my 4x4 ranger. I will be a pain in the a#$. I will have to get new pivot point brackets, rad. arm brackets, new tailshaft for the trans, and basically butcher a perfectly capable 2wd truck. Bump that. I already have a locker and 4.56 gears and 33" MTR tires. I followed a stock chevy 4x4 with mud tires this weekend, I was right behind him in the mud,ruts,stumps etc until we got to a rock ledge about 18" tall. I couldnt climb it. That is what sparked my intrest to convert to 4x4. But i think I will be happy with 2wd. It is a lot cheaper to get a winch or mash the skinny pedal than dump $2K into a truck that is worth $1500.

 

Get the biggest winch you can afford so if you go full size in the future you can swap it to the new truck!! Get a quality block and tackle so you can pull your full size
buddies out when they get buried, They won't believe a 2WD ranger will pull them out.

 

[QUOTE=blue beast]If you go to a desert race those guys are using TTB front axles and these guys go
100+mph and are constantly catching air. I don't see how you can figure they are weaker they same ring and pinion size,bearings etc. as their brothers. It is just a
thing enough people say something is bad the flock goes along with it(would you jump off a bridge if your friend did?) Some situations a solid is better, but a properly set up and maintained TTB will perform just as well in those situations and have better manners on road as well where unfortunately most 4x4 are living most of their lives.QUOTE]

I'd have to disagree, yes the gears and bearings are the same size, but the shafts, pivot points, and the steering linkage simply can not be as strong, all things equall, such as shaft size tie rod size, a straight tie rod WILL be stronger and hold allignment better than the inverted y garbage, and having a truck with ttb, (81 250) and one with a solid axle (79 250) the solid axle rides better, doesn't eat tires,(yes the ttb is aligned properly) is simpler to maintain, and easier to upgrade and or lift if i so choose.

does the ttb design have it's merits? I've drooled over many nicely set up prerunners with ttb, but as far as a trail rig goes, I'd probably never recomend "swapping in" ttb. If it was a 4x4 with ttb to start, then i'd say run it till your situation demands something else.

prerunning is hugely different from trail riding, the stresses on components are completely different, so it's not the end all argument.

Anyway, nothing personal, but those are my thoughts on the matter

 

Just buy an 4x4 Explorer with a bad A4LD transmission and swap the TTB into your Ranger. Almost bolt on. Then some slight mods to the rear axle and put the 8.8 under the Ranger too. They sell for <$600 on CL all the time.

Your 4 cyl probably came with 4.10 gears, so look at 4.10 Explorers or consider regearing to 4.56.

I would run 33s with the Dana 35/8.8 axles.

If you have a standard, look for early Explorers.