Jeep Rear End

magnummopar said

1995 was the first year of 31 spline disk rear. All exploders will have disk, year 95-01 or maybe 02. Avoid the Ranger rear as its only 27 spline drum no Trac loc either. If you have a hard time finding the flange to yoke piece for drive shaft, give the shop a call, we have them. Evan

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Agree to some extent:

28 spline not 27.

There are Rangers that have had Trac-lok's in them. Some of them even had the Zexel-Torsen limited slip 8.8 as well (Ranger FX-4's)

And yes Ranger (EXCEPT FX-4 and FX-4 Level II, as they use 31) uses the 28 spline. Exploders use 31. Exploder have axle-bottom spring mounts, Rangers use the axle-top spring mounts.

From what some people here have told me, there are some Ford 9 inch's that would be a direct bolt-on.

Yes Dana 35 is weaker than the 8 1/4 counterparts. I used to own a 1992 Jeep Cherokee and I was even thinking of eventually putting in an 8.8.
Then I got bit. By the A-body bug that is and sold the jeep.

Here some good info: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

**Edit**: I agree with RRR. Dana 35 is not entirely junk. Just don't be sticking on 35 inch tires and think you can rock-crawl Moab, UT with it like that.