I have a very used 88 22RE 4WD which I use as a chore truck/4x4 toy. I've had it upside down but very lightly so it just added more character. I just bought a non-running rougher 84 22R which came w/a Western snow blade. I was going to swap the blade to the 88 but now wondering if the solid axle on the 84 would carry the weight better?? Which front end will last better under the load?
Thx in advance for your opinions.

I would think the larger diff and 30 spline axles in the 84 would hold up better than CV axles in the 88. Someone else may chime in on other factors.

If the '84 is stock, then you may need to beef up the front springs, they are likely riding on the bumpstops as-is, at least if that is an issue. With the '88, you can always throw on some larger torsion bars if needed and/or crank up the t-bars if you need to level out the front end.

The '88 should work fine. I have a plow on my '90 which is stock. If its a hydraulic plow with the engine mounted pump and all it will be alot of work to switch it over.

They are both pretty stock, the plow is an electric setup where the hydraulic pump is up front. It appears that they may have added a leaf to the 84. There are 4 leaves in the pak, not sure if it had 3 or 4 stock. As to the larger torsen bar & cranking it up I need to do a bit more research as I do not fully understand that concept. I know I have an open rear diff on the 88 but not sure yet on the 84. I'd check it out tonight but I really pushed the marital envelope with this purchase and probably ought to at least finish the tile work on the bathroom b/f I drag it in the shop & start de-mousing & tinkering with it.

I appreciate everyone's input. I got it home right at dark & went out later looking closer at the braketry attachments & they've welded a fair amount of it up which is a hinderance for removal. I can do all that but would hate to toast the 84 getting it all off. I need to look closer & see how rusty the 84's frame is. Its been parked a while & he stored fertilizer in the bed so its trash. Bed floor is gone & sides have dropped a few inches, I'm in Topeka, KS & they love salt here. It appears he parked it b/f cleaning. I could likely tear the bed sides off with my hands :-). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> to the site!!!

4 leaves in the stock front spring pack:


Torsion Bar tech article from the tech section here.

Thanks for the tech article and the photo!