I really wanna run 36x12.50 bias ply swampers soon... I have the lift, and don't worry, i am sawzall friendly... Ok, I do have a dana 30 front axle... I have upgraded to Warn Heat treated shafts and dana 44 u-joints along with a hub conversion from Warn... 4.56 gears and a lockright, but can go to a full detroit if needed eventually... Do you feel the axle is up to the task... Lots of guys run 35's on em all the time stock, so am i at any benefit? The rear is a ford 8.8" for reference there... I think it will handle my type of wheeling, and for gearing, a klune-V is also in the works... So, whats the verdict?

It depends on how easy you are on the gas pedal. I've seen people run 37 inch tires and say that they never broke anything but I've also seen people break them with only 33 inch tires. Its not going to be the most bomb proof setup but it would probably work.

I would think you would be ok. We have an Xj also and will be going bigger. My husband is think about doing basically the same thing as you have already done. I'm sure he'll be in here later if know one else answers you.

It should hold up OK if you're easy on it, assuming you have real hubs. If you're still running a 5x4.5 bolt pattern with the weeny hubs, you can count on going through a lot of hubs.

run the 36's are forget it my friend has a xj that he cut the back half off the top and did cut the fawk out the fenders to the point of there nothin left has 36x12.5x15 sx with stock 30 4.56 lockright and 35 4.56 lockright and atlas 2 but has a 44 and 60 too

Hugh, 'wheel those 36's till something expensive breaks, then swap in a D44 and part out your D30. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I think itll be OK till you push it hard. Most likly, the 297s will be the weak link, so either keep it or get a 60

You will have your share of broken U joints, if you push it hard. But who doesnt? The Detroit would give you some needed added strength at the carrier, but will increase stress on the U joints.
I would look for a good deal on a D44/orD60 depending on what the future holds for your rig. You usually find the best deals if your not in a rush. When the new axle is ready swap it in and sell your D30 for more toy money. If the D30 has a catastrophic failure, then excelerate your time table for the swap.
The 8.8 will have no problems, at all with the 36" rubber.

Thanks guys... I don't really plan to run ARCA or anything, and i rarely ever get above 1600 rpm on the trail... The most stress it would have in my type of wheeling would be on hill climbs in which i may hit 3000 rpm, but then the front end is usually unloaded and all the weight is on the front... I have as of yet not broken a single item in the D-30, stock or upgraded... I am running the smaller bolt pattern, but warn said the hub was basically the same inside for both patterns... Now the D-35, i break carriers anywhere i go, any given time, locked or open... So an 8.8 is definitely in the works... Thanks for the information guys... I willdefinitly be hitting you guysup for some more info later on this as the time for new tires get here...

I had a friend running stock D30/D35 on a 95 YJ with ARB's and 4.10. No hub conversion, no shafts. With 36" swampers he never broke a single thing. However I broke my D30 once and my D35 4 times open with 31's. It depends on how you drive. I'd recommend at least the 5 on 5.5" hub conversion, and with a lot of HP a 5 on 5." FF kit for the 8.8. Althought that setup should be fine. I ran 35"(measured 36") swampers on my 8.8 with no problems. But to answer you question, when your front wheels are turned and your locker is engaged, if there is any stress you rist taking out some parts.

I got a buddy running 39.5 boggers and an LS-1 with his Dana 30. He of course is easy on the go pedal most of the time and is in search of a front Dana 60. I haven't seen him break any axles, just gears and a tie rod.

Originally posted by CaptainFleXJ151:
<STRONG>However I broke my D30 once and my D35 4 times open with 31's. It depends on how you drive. </STRONG>

haha, i must have the good version from the factory, cause my stock, open d30/35 in my xj have held up to tons of abuse with 31s. the other night i tug-of-war'd my friend in his f150 and i lost miserably, but i had fun smoking all four tires on pavement at full throtle.
good luck,
Jeff

Sounds encouraging for now... I need to do some more work to bea able to fit the tires the way i want, but hey, its only money right?

Dont upgrade to a 44 keep your 30 and get a 60 later you basically already got a 44 with all the Warn upgrades.. I would have no problem running 36's on my Dana 30 but I now have a front 44,cause all the Warn stuff cost way to much just my two cents <IMG SRC="smilies/roxy.gif" border="0">

but warn said the hub was basically the same inside for both patterns...

Talk to somebody else. The 5x4.5 hubs are much weaker. When I talked to Warn about this a year or so ago, they told me that the smaller hubs WILL break if you're running anything more than 33's, regardless of how easy you are on them. I would definitely go with the big hubs. It's real easy to switch the 8.8 to 5x5.5

I think your 30 will be ok with the little mods you've done to it.. Just run the 30 while your looking for a D44 out of a waggy or something...

I run the same setup you're talking about. I've got upgraded shafts with 297s, lockright, etc, with 36 SX. I haven't had a problem yet, 7 months so far, all extreme trail use. Stay sane with your right foot, particularly when the wheels are turned and you'll be OK for quite a while.

Just keep your eyes open for a cheap 60, do bother going 44 in the front.
Dion

Sounds good guys... I got a really good deal on all the Warn Parts and was looking for a bolt in setup at the time... I did the hub conversion with 297 joints as well as warn inner shafts for just under $800, i had already geared and locked it, so i figure if i need to one day, i can sell out the parts to someone... Hugh