Front Dana 35 IFS drop kit ? | Ford Explorer Forums

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Front Dana 35 IFS drop kit ?

glenn_a

Well-Known Member
Joined
October 9, 2010
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City, State
Sydney
Year, Model & Trim Level
97 XLT
Hi guys, just wondering if there such thing a kit I can buy to just drop (lower) my front Dana 35 IFS diff around 1" just to take out a little stress on the C.V axles...?
I did my suspension lift kit and torsion twist almost to the max and I can see the C.V axle too much of an angle and I am worried it may break sooner..
I am thinking getting a super lift kit 4" but its way too expensive just to lift for few extra inch, Is there any way I can just get a bracket to lower my front diff instead..?
I noticed there is a space for and Inch drop but wondering if there is a bracket can buy online or maybe just make a bracket if so is there anyone has done this and can help me out how to do..?

thanks fellow Explorers.... :salute:
 



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I did the same and I am currently working on the problem my self the hardest part of it is the bracket that is attached to the diff in the rear. So I will let u know what I come up with
 






I did the same and I am currently working on the problem my self the hardest part of it is the bracket that is attached to the diff in the rear. So I will let u know what I come up with

oh sounds good mate! :thumbsup: please keep in touch thanks! :thumbsup:
 






Why not take a steel pipe cut to size and a longer bolt?
 






Why not take a steel pipe cut to size and a longer bolt?

yes that was the plan, but just wondering If someone been has done this project before and maybe can help the design...

or maybe there's something out there that I could just buy it so less hassle for me...
 






How did you go with this?

I've got a '96 XLT with the engine out so I have a good view of what you're talking about.
It looks doable but it would take some mates and a few beers, a ball pein hammer and a welder to do it.

When you think about it it's a wonder somebody hasn't done a kit for it.
You can just buy extended shackles, why not this?

Not in Oz obviously.
 






How did you go with this?

I've got a '96 XLT with the engine out so I have a good view of what you're talking about.
It looks doable but it would take some mates and a few beers, a ball pein hammer and a welder to do it.

When you think about it it's a wonder somebody hasn't done a kit for it.
You can just buy extended shackles, why not this?

Not in Oz obviously.


still working on it mate and still searching about this bracket... :thumbsup:
 






okay, though about this for a bit before replying,,

the Superlift kit has drop brackets for the front diff that let it down 4 inches,, it fits into the frame where the ear on the diff goes,, so making a sort of shackle for that would be easy,, just drop the diff ear out of the frame and make a plate for the front and back just like a shackle,,

for the torque arm, and type of body lift type block would do it there,, all you need is a longer bolt that goes there ,,

it's not that hard really,,

look at the diff and it's mounting points, you'll understand it ,,
 






I think i looked into it and another issue i came up with is the clearence for the cv axle and the lower control arm. it sits kinda close at full droop. so just need to cut a little out of the arm to make room.
 


















With lowering down the diff , you should think about a skid plate to protect it , that is an aluminum housing , I`m planning to protect mine ,I`ve already hit rocks hard with it .
 






I've been working on this on this off and on for about a month now the issue is the torsion bars prevent u from lowering the the diff no more than 35Mm which when u try to make a bbracket u have to figure in the thickness of the stesteand what not I'm currently working with 3/16ths thick meteral to make this bracket for the front but it's not as easy as it looks due to t bars and the how long the mount is on the frame I haven't given up yet so updates will fallow on my progress
 






I couldn't find the right thread.

Did you sort your front diff out yet?
I've got my front diff out and it looks pretty easy to make extension brackets to lower it.
 






I couldn't find the right thread.

Did you sort your front diff out yet?
I've got my front diff out and it looks pretty easy to make extension brackets to lower it.

How will you lower the steering rack to match tie rod angle with cv axles? ;)
 


















I think so. You might encounter severe bump steer if the angles don't match.

Without looking at it; How about extending the tie rod fitment a couple of inches up?
 






Without looking at it; How about extending the tie rod fitment a couple of inches up?

Possible if it will be strong enough. The superlift knuckles have the tie rod mount raised up on the knuckle in the casting.

You will end up with a taller tie rod mount which will have quite a bit of leverage on it.
 



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I think so. You might encounter severe bump steer if the angles don't match.

Dropping the diff will not change the suspension geometry, the tie rod should match a-arm angles not the cv axle angle so dropping the rack would create bump steer.
 






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