I just noticed on the James Duff website, they added 2 new model #'s to their classic traction bar line up. But does anyone know what the difference is in the two?

#5304 '98+ Ranger Small Housing
#5305 '98+ Ranger Large Housing

James Duff

 

Maybe 7.5 inch rear end and 8.8 inch rear end? I really dont know.

 

no clue...send them an email and let us know what they say

 

28 spling and 31 spline probably. the 7.5 and 8.8 28 splines are the same diameter, but the 31 spline is the one that you had to modify the bracket for it to fit correctly. maybe now they've inproved on it.

 

More likely 8.8 28 spline and 8.8 31 spline. There's a big difference in those two, and really none I believe in the 7.5 and 8.8 (as far as axle tubes go).

Those of us who converted to 31 spline axles had to modify our "classic" Duff traction bars to fit.

 

i just did, im gonna see what their response is

 

So did they ever respond?

 

no they didnt, i still dont know which to get

 

i acrually e-mailed them and they responded and the guy asked me to e-mail him the with of the u-olts and he would tell me but i neve got around to it lol. ill try and do it this week.

 

what did the guy ask you?

 

ok, the small housing is all 7.5s and the 28 spline 8.8 (which is what you have andrew) the large housing is the 31 spline 8.8 that comes in the FX4 L2s and all explorer axles. the axle housing on the 31 spline units has a larger diameter meaning it uses u-bolts with a wider spacing to fit around the housing properly. so unless you have an FX4 L2 or have swapped an FX4 L2 or explorer axle under your truck you should have the small housing. it's about time Duff gets off their behind and gets the right bracket made for the larger housings.

 

So the large housing one is bolt on right? No fabbing or modding parts?

 

For your 31 spline 8.8, yes.

 

thanks jay, i'd say that clear it up. Although im sill wondering how good they are going to work because i've heard mixed reviews.

 

well, I love mine, they made a HUGE difference in how my truck feels and rides. it made such a difference that my GF noticed it from the passengerseat right away. it stiffened up the truck a little and smoothed out the ride a lot. it cut down a ton of the bucking when im in low gears and getting on and off the gas. It made a huge difference in the snow now. with the locker when i used to spin in the snow it would be both tires, so it would cause the rear end to jump like mad. the next day after installing them i was leaving up by north conway and it was snowing good, and i was trying to get up out of the driveway and i didnt even realise i was spinning the tires as much as i was because it didnt jump up and down like normal. i personally love em, and they made enough of a difference for me that i have a set sitting here waiting to go onto my GFs ranger...

 

So are they relatively easy to install? Like I could do it with just basic tools in a reasonable amount of time?

 

you just have to be able to drill 6 3/8 inch holes and have an 18mm wrench or deep socket for the u-bolts and the appropriate wrenchs to bolt the parts of the bars together (just basic sizes)

 

It's a worthwhile mod IMO and it's about time they started tooling up for newer Models. They were way behind the curve. Kudo's to them for getting it done.

 

yes yes yes and no...lol i mean yes there simple.

 

Duff came out w/ larger brackets for the 31-spline?! Cool! Although someone should definitely tell them to clairify that on their website if this is truely the case.

I also modified the brackets to fit my 31-spline. It was not all that hard, just tedious. I modified mine w/ a metal file and a bench vise..
You'll need a larger socket if you have the 31-spline. Mine required a 21 or 22mm socket, which of course I didn't own before starting the project. I had to re-mount the wheels and drive down to Sears to pick up new tools before I could finish this project! Ain't that always the way!

 

cool.. maybe i will get some someday when i have got all the other crap i want

 

yikes, im still worried about drilling into the front shackel thingy (where the leaf spring attaches) If you screw up, your done

 

mehh dont worry that much...

 

thats what im thinking. it would be nice to have. maybe someday.

 

How so? You just position the bracket, clamp it in place w/ a C-clamp, and then go to town w/ the drill.