Dana 35 SLA

patov6 · September 2, 2007

Hi,
I´m looking for a 95-98 4.0 explorer to be my familiar vehicle (DD too), and to modify it lightly (2" torsion bar twist + 3" body lift) but I´m not sure about the D35 SLA. How is this stuff? is a good system? has the same wheel bearings that the D35 TTB ? is too hard to align? Holds 33" 12,50 tires?
And the transmission (auto)...is too bad (because I have heard it)...the rebuilt kits are good? are available for this model? (4R55E...I think)

Thanks in advance!

Pato

patov6 · September 3, 2007

patov6 said:
Hi,
I´m looking for a 95-98 4.0 explorer to be my familiar vehicle (DD too), and to modify it lightly (2" torsion bar twist + 3" body lift) but I´m not sure about the D35 SLA. How is this stuff? is a good system? has the same wheel bearings that the D35 TTB ? is too hard to align? Holds 33" 12,50 tires?
And the transmission (auto)...is too bad (because I have heard it)...the rebuilt kits are good? are available for this model? (4R55E...I think)

Thanks in advance!

Pato

No opinions?

SkanlaxJMO · September 4, 2007

it's...ok it's not the same wheel bearrings. The 4x4 uses vacume disco "hubs" in a non serviceable unit(it all pulls right out). Most peole like the 95-96 because the front ds completly stops spinning where as 97-01 it continues to rotate even in 2wd. The only real problems you might have are breaking cv axle shafts and that would be beating rh hell out of it. Just dont run anything bigger then a 35 on it.... As for the tranny with the V6...yeah they are weak.

jimbo74 · September 4, 2007

the ycan handle a 33 just fine, you shouldnt have a problem with the cvs if you dont crank the heck out of the torsion bars, you shouldnt go more than 2" max. the trannies can be a week link, but they can easily be beefed up with a shift kit and valve body upgrade
the engines are pretty good, ive got 207k on mine (but had upper rebuild @ 110k), tranny went out at around 180k

gijoecam · September 4, 2007

SkanlaxJMO said:
it's...ok it's not the same wheel bearrings. The 4x4 uses vacume disco "hubs" in a non serviceable unit(it all pulls right out).

Incorrect. The hubs on the 95/96 are no different than the hubs on the 97-01. They are a full-time solidly splined hub.

That being said, anything larger than 33s and you'll be eating them for breakfast.

Most peole like the 95-96 because the front ds completly stops spinning where as 97-01 it continues to rotate even in 2wd.

That was the theory. The reality is that due to the design of the transfer case, it seldome actually happens. The fluid shear through the transfer case internals generally causes the front driveshaft to spin. Also, the spider gears in the front diff turn at all times too, especially if the front driveshaft stops moving.

The 4R44*/5R55* series of transmissions aren't the most robust, but for the vehicle, with a few modifications and updates, they tend to work just fine. FWIW, I've got 140K on my stock trans, and it's still running fine. (Knocking on wood praying I didn't jinx myself!!)

-Joe

410Fortune · September 4, 2007

hubs?

95 96 4wd models had a vacuum disconnect right front axleshaft
There are no hubs
97+ spin all the time, as do the 96 5.0L AWD trucks
the wheel is connected directly to the cv shaft, no hub assembly. both CV's turn all the time with the wheel

Unless you have the axle shaft disconnect on your front end even when you are in 2wd the front diff and both cv shafts are spinning. Even on an open diff when both tires turn the front drive shaft will also turn

At least that is my understanding
I believe the 95-96 models have one wheel bearing assembly and the 97 or 98+ models have a slightly different unit

I have 33's on my 96 with no ill effects
I know some guys on here run 35-37" tires on the D35 IFS

gijoecam · September 4, 2007

410,

On many front wheel drive vehicles and our Explorers, the front wheel bearing assembly is commonly referred to as a 'hub' or 'hub assembly'. It is not a traditional 4wd hub that disconnects the front driveline at the wheels. We're on the same page; just wanted to clarify.

The *theory* behind the center axle disconnect on the 95s and 96s was that the front driveshaft would stop turning when in 2wd. However, since the halfshafts are solidly splined to the wheels, by breaking the passenger side axle shaft, the driveshaft, pinion, and carrier can stop turning, but the spider gears would still need to turn since they would be driven by the driver's side axle shaft. In reality, the mileage gains were minimal, and the driveshaft rarely, if ever, fully ceased moving. Gear oil in the diff and trans fluid in the t-case tend to force the parts to move somewhat in travel.

To my knowledge, the wheel bearing/hub assembly is the same for all the 2nd gens. Torrie at FastPartsNetwork will sell you the same part for a 95 as an '01. http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...orer&year=1996&catalogid=1&displayCatalogid=0

FWIW, I can't see any reason why they would be different.

FROADER · September 4, 2007

33s...

Dana 35 SLA

patov6

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patov6

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SkanlaxJMO

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jimbo74

Elite Exploder

gijoecam

Village Idiot

410Fortune

Truck Season!!

gijoecam

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FROADER

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