- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Messages
- 97
- Reaction score
- 79
- Points
- 18
- Age
- 39
- Location
- SW Iowa
- Vehicle Year
- 2022
- Vehicle
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3
- Suspension Style
- 4wd
With stock sized tires, stock engine and a little common sense you shouldn't have much problem with a D28 aside from a freak failure that could happen even if you have a D60. I have had mine 11 years with a 2.8 and aside from brakes never had an issue with it. I have a complete spare axle that I got back in '02 that I have never touched. Same goes for the 7.5 rear. Set of shoes, drums and a brake line is it, gotta spare one of them to trip over too. The D28 hasn't seen much of the 302's fury but they have met, the 7.5 is holding like a champ. Yards around here are full of first and second gens for parts if needed, but of course that varies by location and whether or not you need them.
Swapping is so stupid easy that I wouldn't trouble myself by shopping for a vehicle out of the last half of a years production. Run it until you have a problem, if you can't find parts stick a D35 in it and go. Personally I would shop for the superior 95-97 Ranger D35 with bolt on calipers (ideally what I want to get for mine)
If the cooling system isn't up to par for you, 91-94 Explorer radiators are esentially the same radiator but twice as thick and mount in the same location. I am using one to cool the 5.0 that currently resides in my truck.
Personally I am a big fan of the 1st generation interior/exterior over the 2nd gens too. :icon_thumby:
We use freeze 12 all the time at work for tightwad farmers that don't want to update the AC systems in their tractors and combines. Works good.
Swapping is so stupid easy that I wouldn't trouble myself by shopping for a vehicle out of the last half of a years production. Run it until you have a problem, if you can't find parts stick a D35 in it and go. Personally I would shop for the superior 95-97 Ranger D35 with bolt on calipers (ideally what I want to get for mine)
If the cooling system isn't up to par for you, 91-94 Explorer radiators are esentially the same radiator but twice as thick and mount in the same location. I am using one to cool the 5.0 that currently resides in my truck.
Personally I am a big fan of the 1st generation interior/exterior over the 2nd gens too. :icon_thumby:
We use freeze 12 all the time at work for tightwad farmers that don't want to update the AC systems in their tractors and combines. Works good.