solid front axle
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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solid front axle
Wondering if there is a kit for a 93 ranger to convert it to a solid front axle? Anybody know? I realize there would probably be a lot of modification involved but it would be a fun project and I could really jack it up that way too! 
I like little big trucks! Thanks for the help in advance!
I like little big trucks! Thanks for the help in advance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
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There's no kit that I know of, I believe you will find yourself shopping the boneyards for a jeep comanche or cherokee, that would be a dana 35. Another close fit would be a dana 44 from am early bronco, around a 68-77. Either way will take a little fab work. James Duff may have something to help you out as he fabs up a lot of bronco II's, he has a parts catolog.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
I am looking for parts for a Ranger conversion too. 2wd to SAS. I read that a D30 from newer Jeeps will work too. I just saw some on ebay for around 50.00, but I am sure shipping will run in the hundreds.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
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You could use a wrangler front axle, but a D30 is a bit light, even on the jeep. The jeep guy's are allways complaining about the weak D30, the D 35 would be better. Like Pablo said, the D44 in the bronco would be the strongest. If your not going to run large tires or do any extreme wheeling I guess it wouldn't really matter.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
It is hard for me to get any old D44 stuff here, I can buy a wrecked Jeep cheaper than buying a D44 plus shipping costs. Old Bronco parts are very rare here, so my pickings are slim.
I know D44s are better, but I do not plan to go big on my Ranger project - 33s at the most. Plus it will be a mallcrawler too.
A D35 would be ideal though, if I can't get a early Bronco D44.
I know D44s are better, but I do not plan to go big on my Ranger project - 33s at the most. Plus it will be a mallcrawler too.
A D35 would be ideal though, if I can't get a early Bronco D44.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
I know gue who made selfmade van many years ago, in 80-s and he still drives it.
He wanted AWD van, but there was no on such van market in USSR in beggining of 80-s. He used front axe (with self locking diff) and front suspention of military UAZ, frame of UAZ van, RAF body, but shorter then stock one.... I tried to drive his van. It looks like stock RAF but shorter. With solid axe runs rought, handling is not good, but off-road ability is very good. From other view point, solid axes are very reliable and used when van gets in stuck only. He did not replace CVs, there are no ball joint, hubs are manual, no rack'n'pinion, old style gear boxes never leak....
Yeah, sometimes I think that old style suspention with solid axes is better....
He wanted AWD van, but there was no on such van market in USSR in beggining of 80-s. He used front axe (with self locking diff) and front suspention of military UAZ, frame of UAZ van, RAF body, but shorter then stock one.... I tried to drive his van. It looks like stock RAF but shorter. With solid axe runs rought, handling is not good, but off-road ability is very good. From other view point, solid axes are very reliable and used when van gets in stuck only. He did not replace CVs, there are no ball joint, hubs are manual, no rack'n'pinion, old style gear boxes never leak....
Yeah, sometimes I think that old style suspention with solid axes is better....
