Supposedly, the long link bars don't fit newer trucks but PMPTRK on G-E has them on his:

http://www.cardomain.com/id/pmptrk

 

they probably hang down too far for a non lifted off road truck anyway

 

That would be my objection. The above-spring Duff bars are cheap and effective and tucked out of harm's way. You can adapt them to your 31-spline LII axle without too much work.

 

Dave claims he was one of the instigators behind the recall/replacement on those axles. He is quick to warn people that Ford would only replace the Torsens on trucks w/ MANUAL trannys!! There's a guy on ORR w/ an '02 FX4 w/ the auto that has had some pretty significant problems and gotten next to no support from Ford! I mention it here as people have eyed '02 FX4 axles in the past. People who do so should probably be aware that:

A) Ford's policy was reportedly to replace the entire axle, not just the diff. It would seem that some industrious dealer/tech/scrap folks are selling these axles for cheap. I would speculate that some if not all are faulty axles and have 'bad' Torsens in them.

B) Even axles from junked/wrecked trucks could be suspect if they came from a truck w/ an Auto. Not all '01 axles were replaced, only those w/ manual trans' were! At least that is as I understand it..

John, what you did works because you replaced the diff and whatnot. But for someone that's looking for a direct swap w/o replacing the guts..

 

Well according to the guy I talked to over at Duff over 1 month ago they were working on an updated set of bars. They SUPPOSEDLY had a "prototype" set on someone who worked there 2004 FX4 LII Like yours Neil...now this was 1 month ago...I ordered a set of the AS YET TO BE PRODUCED new bars...however maybe they found the error of their ways by making them for the LII axle as opposed to the 28 spline axle found in MOST '01 and later Rangers that have the 8.8" of course!

So I think I'll call back to "check" on my order and see what they have to say now...I seriously doubt they are going to make a set exclusively for the LII 31 spline rear-end...there are just too few of your guys out there.

However when I call I'll try and get as much accurate info as possible as well as an ETA of these "new" bars and brackets!

 

if you wanna throw more into the Auto vs Stick discussion, i yanked it and threw it in this thread

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=6060


ScottG

 

Hey, great, thanks!

 

Any news on the updated Duff bars? I see nothing on their website..

 

here is the response I got back from Duff Enterprises

 

So I probably ought to just order a set and grind them down a-la Griggs?

 

ala Rwenzwig - but I get your point
what a laugh they gave a link to G-E for the how too

 

yeah, I chuckled at that.

Oops, sorry Bob, credit where credit is due. It must have stuck in my head that I saw John's first.

 

.

 

Brian, did you convert to a 31-spline Level II or Explorer axle? If you still have your stocker, I think the Duff bar brackets should fit your u-bolt spacing.

 

Hey can I ask you guys to refer to my post in the ENGINE FORUM for immediate assistance...I'm working late...its fun in the garage in the summer!

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=7284


Thanks

 

I could do that eventually but it will obviously require some disassembly.

 

Yeah mines a stock 28 spline so I would only need to grind the tabs.

 

That is true about the earlier style brackets. I bought my JD's last July and they had a new bracket with a shape different from the earlier ones like John's. I have no way to verify it but the new style looked like it might fit the 28-spline plate with little or no modification. I had to grind and slot mine because of the wider u-bolt spacing and different spring plate on the 31-spline axle.

 

I seriously have to order a set of these. $70 just has to be worth it..

Didn't you also have to shorten the bracket to prevent it from hitting the underside of the bed/fender?

 

I didn't necessarily have to shorten it. Everybody else I have seen is using them as is. Aggressive off-roaders will probably hit the bars against the welded flange under the box (check John's truck!) but it does no real harm except to dent the bottom of the flange ~1/2".

 

Ha ha! Yes, I have the "Duff Dents", lol.

If you have the stuff around, the "cut and paste" method I used is very quick. If you want something NICE, Bob's is the way to go. I'm not always known for doing it "right" -- just getting it done is all, lol.

 

I stand corrected.. you didn't have to modify them.. But I thought that might be what Wowak was refering to when he said he'd need to grind the brackets.

 

He was referring to grinding the mounting ears to fit the stamped in "relief" in the top plate for the springs, I THINK. I did do that on my original 28 spline install as did most of us who bought the old style bar mounting brackets.