Did the search, no good info. So guys, why is the waggy front 44 so much better then the 30? U-joints? axle diameter (if so what are they)? housing? tubes? Dont need no bs answers <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> if ya say it's better, give me some reasons (measurements). So if ya know what your talking about, let me know.

Thanks,

Here's the place to start looking for the info you want. www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bible/index.html#JFA (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bible/index.html#JFA) One thing not mentioned in that link is that the Waggie 44's use a 297x u-joint and CJ Dana 30's use a 260x u-joint. The 297 is bigger but you're on your own for a dimension for either. Simply said, everything is bigger on a Waggie 44 when compared to a CJ Dana 30.

Actually it states the 44 used the 260 u-joint. So, which is it? Also the difference in shaft size seems minimual. 1 5/32 in the D30 vs. 1 5/16 on the 44. If the ujoint is the weak point on the 30, that is easy to fix (upgrade to 297s).
Come on guys, what are the other reasons? Tube size/strenght, R&P strenght, etc.
Oh and thanks for that link.

[ 10-07-2001: Message edited by: JnJ ]

ring and pinion is stronger, axles are slightly stronger, u-joints are bigger

Sure, you can get some custom 297 ujoint shafts for your cj d30, but for probably the same price you can throw a wagoneer d44 under there and get stronger everything else.

Things I've seen break on a d30-
shaft, ujoint, hubs, knuckle, ring and pinion

All that stuff is stronger on a 44, even if its only just a little bit, it still helps

Originally posted by JnJ:
<STRONG>Actually it states the 44 used the 260 u-joint. So, which is it?</STRONG>

Actually if you read closely it says that the '70-74 vintage used the 260 joint. From '75 and up it's the 297. The u-joint is the real weakness of the 30. Upgrading to the 297 u-joint does solve that problem (relative to changing to a 44), but then you move the weak link to the ring and pinion. The 44 r-p is 1.5" in diameter larger than the 30 and the cost of upgrading to 297 shafts in a 30 is comparable to swapping in a 44 if you do it yourself. It's a cost/benefit issue. I did my 44 swap for less than upgrading my 30 shafts would have cost. If you don't have the mechanical ability to do your own 44 swap, it might not make sense. Going through Dynatrac or Currie is expensive, but there are better routes to the same destination. Also, the tubes on a 44 are 2 3/4" while the 30 tubes are 2 5/8".

Thanks for the info, I will be doing the work myself. I will be going SOA and running 36s. Wasn't sure if the 44 was worth the work/cost. My 30 has 2.73s so I would have to regear either way. Looks like the only benefit of the 30 is that I have it. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

john just get 1 of those 60's from Mike and your rear is done

you spending all that time and money on heap or red

It's for Heep. I can get one here a lot cheaper than mike paid and no shipping.

if you have the extra $$ CTM makes some sweet 297X joints that go for $275.00 a piece <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> also isnt the diff on the wrong side with a waggy front and a 300? or is the diff on the wrong side for the 231 in a YJ application, hmm...????

Hunter

XJHunter,
Waggies up to '79 have a passenger side diff and '80-87 have a driver side diff.

Errr..... D44's have 3" tubes, only the old rear D44's with 10 and 19 spline sh*t shafts have 2 3/4" tubes.

Originally posted by Hurc:
<STRONG>Errr..... D44's have 3" tubes, only the old rear D44's with 10 and 19 spline sh*t shafts have 2 3/4" tubes.</STRONG>

Mine didn't Hurc. This was an '87 Waggy rear D44 with 30-spline shafts. I know for certain the Diameter was only 2-3/4" because I used a set of Lou Feger's clamp-on spring perches. The perches only come in the 3" flavor (ford 9-inch rear-ends have a 3" tube diameter and are very popular with racers Lou normally sells them to). I had to shim them with some some steel tubing that was 2-3/4" I.D and 3" O.D. to make 'em work.

Jake Harsha
Hunt Technologies
Pequot Lakes, MN

I have two narrow trac 30 spline Jeep Dana 44's (a '72 and a '75), a Scout Dana 44 rear, and a '79 Waggie Dana 44. All four have 2 3/4" tubes.

my XJ d44 is 2.75" tube...mj d44's however are 3"

Hunter