I did a search and could not find what I was looking for. Funds are low now (X-MAS). Looking for a way to lock the front on my D30. I have a couple of questions first, do they make spools for a 30. If so could I drive this on the street if I installed a posi-lock and got rid of the vacume disconect? The vehicle is a 93yj 4.0 AX-15 with a 231tc. I'm currently running 33's later going to 35's.
Also I have 8.8 in the rear with ARB & 4.10's:confused:

no they dont (weld it)

yes you could

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Don't waste money on a spool for that thing. Just weld it up. You can use it on the street if you keep the disconnect but a spool up front makes it tough to turn on the trails.

If you really want to burn some money on it, install locking hubs and replace the vacuum disconnect with a TJ shaft.

Don't know what a posi-lock is. Sounds suspiciously like a limited slip. So if the question is whether you can put a limted slip up there. Yes. But again, you need the disconnect or unlocking hubs.

33's are OK with this setup, but 35's require a gentle touch to keep from breaking knuckles etc.

-Mark
Answering the JU questions

Posi-loc is a cable actuated disconnect that replaces the vacume one.:)

I see. I am not quite down with the YJ lingo.

Cable actuated huh? I had a friend who used to do that with a long shanked flat-head Craftsman screwdriver. :D

I think I'd do the TJ shaft thing. I don't think the disconnect will last with 35's.

-Mark

I ran my front D30 in my CJ7 welded for a few years. I ran 33" boggers without too much trouble. I did blow up a stock hub once. AND those damned hub bolts kept coming loose ALL OF THE TIME! But you don't have to worry on that one since you have a hub that goes along with the disconnect style.

Keep a close eye on ujoints and go easy with the go pedal. Running an automatic will make it survive better.

Weld it, run it an see for yourself............only one way to find out!!! :D

In my 30 I ditched the hub bolts and put in studs that were locktighted in and then used nylock nuts. That took care of the hub bolts comming loose. For the price of the spool you buy a waggie 44.

weld it if you are gonna do anything to that axle...

but then you arent gonna have as much fun offroading...casue a welded 30 is gonna start causing you some big problems....then its gonna be easier for an axle swap...

i would say you would have more fun with a front 30 open then welded cause you can wheel hard still...go locked and you better be alot more cautious!

If you don't have anything invested into your axle, You should consider a swap. I have a d30 up front, but It has an ARB and spring over steering. Therefore, it is going to be tough to swap it out.

Personally I would never run a full spool in a front end application. It is really hard on u-joints, and you won't be able to turn the fawker. Even when you get the wheels turned it will still want to go straight. IMO

Ok, So far there is alot of second hand advice here. Here is my exact setup, welded 4.56 gears posi lock, 760 joints with fender washers tacked on to keep the caps in, 4:1 dana 300 with 37" Mtrs and I wheel most of the hardest trails in AZ. So far I have broken 3 axles, 2 were due to the ball joint pulling out and one was due to winching and putting ALOT of stress on the front.
That said, I am building a set of 60s right now so I dont have to worry anymore:p

Just Weld it, its not as bad as people say in fact even though I have the posi lock, on most trails I never even unlock it.

Originally posted by 66CJdean
In my 30 I ditched the hub bolts and put in studs that were locktighted in and then used nylock nuts. That took care of the hub bolts comming loose. For the price of the spool you buy a waggie 44.

I had to do the same thing to mine. The darn bolts were a pain in the ass. I blew several hubs up because of them. Once I went with the studs and locking nuts, I never had a problem. Buddy of mine has the axle now and has no problems either.

Weld it. It is a D30, if you plan on upgrading later, why waste any money on it now.

Weld it, and you can make a home-made posi-loc for less than $15. :D On the street while disco'd, I can't even tell my front end is welded. The one down side I have noticed is that if I don't lock the front end in while in 4WD, an open diff will perform better. But all I have to do is engage the front to get all 4 wheels locked. ;)

you can usually find a used d30 lock right for 125 bucks. buy one, and build a 15 posi loc. you have the best of both worlds for 140 bucks (still cheaper than a posi lok).

Hunter

I run a welded 30 in my CJ, no big problems yet. Oh, by the way, I have taken it to the Badlands in Attica, IN. and to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. It's a daily driver in spring/fall/summer, and on the days that there isn't a lot of ice on the roads. It's a 30. weld it. Don't drop money in it, cause you can't polish a turd.

Originally posted by BadAZYj
So far I have broken 3 axles, 2 were due to the ball joint pulling out....
I thought the ujoint breaking was what caused the ball joints to blow, not the other way around? Doesn't matter anyway, that just grabbed my eye.

Originally posted by wsuxjer
Weld it, and you can make a home-made posi-loc for less than $15. :D On the street while disco'd, I can't even tell my front end is welded. The one down side I have noticed is that if I don't lock the front end in while in 4WD, an open diff will perform better. But all I have to do is engage the front to get all 4 wheels locked. ;)

Info on the $15 disco! part numbers and instructions if you have them please. might just have to give some :beer: if all is good!:)

Originally posted by Slagburn

I thought the ujoint breaking was what caused the ball joints to blow, not the other way around? Doesn't matter anyway, that just grabbed my eye.

Normally, that is what happens, but in my case the balljoints were just about dead and I went wheelin anyway:rolleyes: anyway, a I was climbing a waterfall and the front end slidto the side and a rock stopped the slide, but the balljoints were too weak to hold, and the axle went soon after(I didnt know anything happened till the snap. Then we put it back together and made it a little further but same result. Called in some help and put new balljoints in in the middle of Armageddon:eek: started at 9 am, finished at 11 pm:flipoff2:

Enough spooling a 30 :rolleyes:

:flipoff2: