I want to make this poll, because I'm thinking on swaping a solid axle in the front of my X, a some jeeps came with 4.10's gears, and a D44 from a waggy don't have the same lug pattern, so a D30 will be the easiest choice, and I want to know if you trust your D30's with 35 or 36 on it, NOT FOR ROCKCRAWLING, JUST FOR DEEEEEEP MUD AND LITTLE ROCKS!!!

I run Q78's on my NT CJ D30 with x260's. I break ujoints if I get on her. Held up fine to 33x12.5 TSL's but the 35.5's are too much. I'm in the process of upgrading.

Also, if you are looking for a D44 with 5x5.5 bolt patern, look at the Scout II's. (not sure what the X has for a bolt patern)

I trust my old Dana 30 to hold down the junk pile it's on top of just fine.

Really, a '95 Wrangler Dana 30 would be a decent swap into a SAS S-10 or Explorer (is that what an "X" is?) As long as you get the '95 with 297x joints and high pinion, then swap in a one piece passenger shaft from a Cherokee or TJ and block off the disconnect housing. As long as big V8 power isn't applied to heavy 35's with good traction it should last a little while.

I flogged the hell outa one of those things for several years with tires up to 35" and it held up pretty good.Mostly mud and WET rocks and roots.Dry rocks and lots of traction are a whole different story!! Add a V-8 and low gears.......CLICK CLICK BOOM!!

Broke 2 u-joints and 2 shafts with 35 claws the last time I had mine. I upgraded. I don't use the skinny pedal much either.


Ben

I trust my D30 implicitly. As of right now, Im running 35" MTR's, and 260x U joints, and I've only broken one front U joint. My type of wheeling is slow going, no hammering. I do plan on sticking these 297x shafts I have and a roc loc to eliminate the vaccum disco. My Plan is to run 37's, at least till I break it.
Scott

About as far as I could throw it... right out into the bone pile.

But that was an old one with 260s. With 297s it's probably up to handling 31s or 32s if you're careful.

I'm not too worried about mine. 4.56's, Lockright, 36" TSL's. I ran some serious sheeot last month at Big Dog's with no problems, and have run the best of the local stuff. It's all in how you drive it. You have to know when to give up and pull the cable. I winched once because I worried about it. Had I had 60's, I'd have given it Holy Hell until I made it. Not as much fun with a 30, but play it smart and you'll keep it together. Get spare shafts though :p

Jakester: 31's or 32's?? Dude, you're so full of shit :shaking: :flipoff2:

With 297 ujoints jesterjakewhateverthe!@#! a high pinion 30 is close in strength to a 44, it should handle 35 ok. Mine only had 260 joints in it.

Originally posted by Welby
Jakester: 31's or 32's?? Dude, you're so full of shit :shaking: :flipoff2:

Hey man, I've seen a guy snap a 297 in a D30 with stock tires!

Don't come cryin to me when your front wheelbearings, and balljoints need replacing. :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Been there. Done that. Wrecked that car.

If you have a 4-popper and drive like an old lady, you'll be just FINE with your 30. ;)

:flipoff2:,
Jake

Originally posted by jeepboyben
With 297 ujoints jesterjakewhateverthe!@#! a high pinion 30 is close in strength to a 44, it should handle 35 ok. Mine only had 260 joints in it.

Sure in shaft strength maybe... but there's more to an axle assembly than just shafts. With a 44 you get bigger bearings, balljoints, yokes, brakes, tubes, and R&P, as well as much heavier steering gear.

I mean, I can't believe I'm hearing this shit on the POR BBS. I used to have respect for you guys, but you're really letting me down here... :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

When I first started coming here this guy would've gotten flamed off the board for even mentioning the words "trust" and "D30" in the same sentence! :flipoff2:

:rolleyes: :flipoff2: ,
Jake

I have complete trust in my Dana 30...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
I trust that at some point it will fail.

Originally posted by Dan-H
I have complete trust in my Dana 30...
.
.
.
.
..
.
..
.
I trust that at some point it will fail.

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Don't count the Waggy axle out so quick. Just swap on F-150 hub and rotor and you have 5 on 5.5 lugs. For some years, you need the spindle too.

An "X" is that model of TJ that has a 4.0 and is cheap (I think). You have a D35 rear in that if I'm not mistaken. Worry about that first with 35s :eek: You're D30 will be OK with 35s and to make it last longer you need to tack weld the caps to the axle ears, makes a huge difference. You will break though, it's still a D30


Wait.... Why are we talking about D30s :rolleyes:

GET A 60!

So far mine has held up with 33's but, I don't trust it.
I'm building a RC 60.
A buddy has a Detroit in his and is running 36's, and has had nothing but problems with it. 3 shafts, both bearings, and bent tie rod so far this year.
We wheel the same trails and aren't easy on them.
He's building a RC 44.

Took my old D30 to the steel recycler. They have me 7 cents Lbs for it. Didn't even get enuf for a happy meal.


Missin the checkbox. Throw it as far from your jeep as you can.

I've fried two R+Ps one LP and one HP on my TJ, never again, never should have.

35s, ujoint caps have walked out but I have caught them before damage was done to ears. Tack weld the caps in place and don't do stupid stuff and it will hold up fine.

Stupid stuff: Backing up hill with wheel turned. Backing with locker engaged. Stuffing tire into undercut rock and expecting to climb it. Spinning the tires and boucing on a high traction rock.

Really, I am not that easy on my gas pedal and I haven't had any catostrphic breakage. $3000 for a built D60 or D44 will buy a lot of spare axles. Breaking R&P? Not in a properly setup axle.

SeanP

Don't forget your mighty midget 30's have good ground clearance.
Sean p. I'll build ya a 44 or 60 for less than 3 g's hahahahaha

As for R&P my 30 went for 2 years with 9 broken ring gear teeth. Would not spend the money for a 44.

i trust my 30 completely i don't ever see it breaking and i wheel with 40's.... of course the 40's are attached to my 60 and the 30 sits behind the shed:flipoff2:

Well, no complaints here... yet. However, there is a n00b at school with 39.5" Boggers on stock YJ 30/35.:shaking: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama

I mean, I can't believe I'm hearing this shit on the POR BBS. I used to have respect for you guys, but you're really letting me down here... :flipoff2:
Jake

Since when did any one give a fawk about your opinion:flipoff2:


I run my highpinion D-30 with 4.56s and a locker behind a 4.0 and have never broke anything in the front end with 37 inch boggers on most of the trails in the west.

Trailh:fj:wg

What is a Dana 30 ? :flipoff2: :flipoff2: Paperweight?

With 33" TSL's I have broken a few 260 u-joints,but if you carry spares its an easy fix.I am putting Rockwell's in my new XJ,that should stop the breaking problems,ha ha.

iv'e been running 35's on my tj dana 30 for 3 years, just switched to 36 tls's. it has 4.88's and a lockright in it. in 4 years i've broken 1 axle. i wheel the hardest trails at paragon without trouble. i trussed the top of the axle to strengthen the housing. i AM having trouble with the unit bearings, they only last a couple months and then they get real wobbly. at 100 bucks a piece, that isn't an item i care to replace every couple of months. the other problem i ran into since the 36's is the carrier bearing shims are getting spit out and the bearing is spun..... i believe this is do to too much torque for the housing, or a tweaked housing. the ears on the axles also get wobbled out so i tack weld the u joints in. i'm not REALLY breaking things, but for a daily driver, it is too much maintainence to keep it alive. for something only run on the trail i think it holds up fine. i'm building a dana 44 to hopefully solve my peoblems with the 30. so do i trust it... yea... will it last.... not without a lot of up keep. just my experience with it over the last 4 years.:D

I don't trust it at all. I carry spares knowing one day it will let go with the 37's. Mine is bone stock other than gears and a LR. Any money spent on a 30 is wasted.
Cord
Been lucky so far

Originally posted by cord318
Any money spent on a 30 is wasted.
Cord
Been lucky so far
Sounds like you are stating that as a fact, when its not. Not everyone has to swap in something stronger.. especially if they are running 35's or smaller. I can see it if you are running 37's, but comeawwn. The way I figure it, Ive only broken 1 260 U joint with the 35's, so why not stick 37's on it, and 297x joints in the housing, and wheel it till it breaks. But I doubt it will.. Im not a hammer down type of person. Now for someone that hammers everywhere they go, then maybe a D30 isnt the best.
Scott

Naw man not at all. It hasn't let me down yet but, I know it will eventually let go. I'm fairly EZ on the skinny pedal and my Auto reduces the shock. I'm not messing with it until I shit parts every run is all I'm sayin.
Cord
It ain't broke so I ain't fixin' it

Originally posted by Ketchup Dog

Sounds like you are stating that as a fact, when its not. Not everyone has to swap in something stronger.. especially if they are running 35's or smaller. I can see it if you are running 37's, but comeawwn. The way I figure it, Ive only broken 1 260 U joint with the 35's, so why not stick 37's on it, and 297x joints in the housing, and wheel it till it breaks. But I doubt it will.. Im not a hammer down type of person. Now for someone that hammers everywhere they go, then maybe a D30 isnt the best.
Scott

Except you actually have to wheel it really break anything :flipoff2: :flipoff2: And how was that you broke the 260? :flipoff2:

Matt

Hey Matt :flipoff2: And I broke the 260 crawlin the mall speedbumps :flipoff2:
Scott

First, I'm not the most informed guy when it comes to building axles. Second, he said he's doing a SAS, which implies he has IFS now. I'm guessing the "X" is for "XJ". Now, to the point at hand.

I spun a rear hub driving down the street in my Scrambler before I did anything to the 30. In fact, my 30 is fine. I don't wheel hard. In fact, I rarely get to wheel anymore. But I've got 4:56's and 33's, and if you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine. I don't have to worry much about breaking it because usually what stops me is my carb, not my axle. Just be careful. You may have to pass up an rock every now and then, but you'll have more money to buy beer with when you get home.

Reed

First, I'm not the most informed guy when it comes to building axles. Second, he said he's doing a SAS, which implies he has IFS now. I'm guessing the "X" is for "XJ".

Yo, Baylorboy...
Doing a SAS in an XJ would be... uh, not right. they've already got a Dana 30... unless there's some anomally sitting out there I've never seen.

"X" is probably an X-terra. In which case, the front axle choice is the least of his worries.

A Dana 30 would be "fine" w/ anything NOT bigger than a 35" tire, and well thought out lines. :flipoff2:


EDIT:
scratch that... I looked up his profile.
It's a Ford Explorer. I just heard some kids on the trail this weekend calling their yupmobile Nissans "X's"....
whatever, you still would be cool w/ a Dana 30 & up to 35" tires.

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama


Sure in shaft strength maybe... but there's more to an axle assembly than just shafts. With a 44 you get bigger bearings, balljoints, yokes, brakes, tubes, and R&P, as well as much heavier steering gear.

I mean, I can't believe I'm hearing this shit on the POR BBS. I used to have respect for you guys, but you're really letting me down here... :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

When I first started coming here this guy would've gotten flamed off the board for even mentioning the words "trust" and "D30" in the same sentence! :flipoff2:

:rolleyes: :flipoff2: ,
Jake

I have to agree with this. WTF is going on here.:confused:
Take this D30 crap back on over to JU, where you all came from.
This "Will this D30 make my ass look fat?" shit has no business on the POR board.:mad:

Whoever said wory about your 35 before your 30 was right. Remember, when you break your friggen 35, which will happen, your tire walks out on.

I run my 30 open, which keeps it relatively safe, and am saving money to replace my friggen 35 that walked out on me on the freeway and caused me all sorts of damage. Of course jeep will fix it, over and over and over, (if under 3yr warranty) but they wont give you a loner car while it is in the shop.

I had this setup for a while, worked fine. After we installed a detroit locker up front, on the 2nd trip it took an outer shaft, next took the inner and ujoint so we thought it was a signal and swaped it for a D44.

Just my experience,

Originally posted by bogart469
Remember, when you break your friggen 35, which will happen, your tire walks out on.


Not altogether true.

If you have an earlier non C-clip Dana 35-C, chances are the axle and flange will be retained (unless the bearing slips off, which is unlikely since they're pressed on or comes apart, which is probably more likely).

Still, that little retainer is nothing I'd wanna trust my life to...

HTH,
Jake

Originally posted by Robert


I have to agree with this. WTF is going on here.:confused:
Take this D30 crap back on over to JU, where you all came from.
This "Will this D30 make my ass look fat?" shit has no business on the POR board.:mad:

If there's any place on the net where you Won't get "Does the D30 make my ass look fat", it's here (http://pirate4x4.com) .
Other places (http://jeepsunlimited.com) are gonna be like, "Oh, man, you're okay... Put an ARB locker in it and get some black street locks and it will look great. Don't forget to use some Armor All on your tires, too!"

WTF??

If anybody's gonna give an honest-to-goodness "Yeah, it's gonna break at this point" answer, it's gonna come from here (http://pirate4x4.com).

Of course...
The :flipoff2: fawkin' newb:flipoff2: coulda searched to find all this... :rolleyes:

I have an ARB and I try to keep it unlocked as much as possible to make my 30 last. When it is locked I go easy on it and I am not afraid of pulling the cable. However usually the portion of the 30 that breaks is the u joint and if you have 297s, you have the same as a D44. As for me I will keep my D30 and my 35" MTRs for the time being until I can afford to replace it with something stronger.

Before you hit the trail, Rub your sack on the diff cover for Good Luck! Then go balls to the wall:flipoff2:

Also, Make sure someone with a 60 is around to pull you out. Thats what I do.:massey:

Originally posted by KYODER
Don't forget your mighty midget 30's have good ground clearance.
Sean p. I'll build ya a 44 or 60 for less than 3 g's hahahahaha

How about $745.67 and ahh some left over 1976 F350 parts?:D

Look at the jeep talk mission statement #5:flipoff2:

My HP 30 broke backing up in a gravel driveway. Carrier(open) cracked and pinion had some teeth chewed off.



If it breaks in the driveway, I can't trust it anywhere.:nuke:

there is a lot of knowledge on this board, but sometimes I wonder about the reading skills :flipoff2:

he's talking about a Ford Explorer, hence the SAS... and he already has 4.10 gears and 5 on 4.5 wheel pattern on the 8.8 rear. He's looking to find a solid axle to match in the front. And he's in South America, where most of the wheeling is through rivers and jungles, and not very much rock.

with that said, as JU as this is, I think the 30 is a good swap. You could piece a 30 together pretty cheaply because there are a lot of TJ's, XJ's and ZJ's in Venezuela, you could find HP and 4.10 gears and 297 joints without too much trouble. And for the type of use the vehicle will see you will be fine. By the time you start busting dana 30 parts you'll be ready to change vehicles anyway.

And for those of you chanting "60! 60!"... good friggin' luck finding a 60 front in Venezuela. :flipoff2:

Sorry I didn't check the thread before, it would clarify somethings...

The "X" stands for "eXplorer", Truckster is rigth!! I live down here in venezuela, so a rockcrawling sh!t is not for me, I like it, but we have no trails like that here... at least I don't know it...

So, I will be wheeling on mud, sand, dirt trails when is not raining, but no rocks or big rocks, so a D60 will be perfect, but I will not wheel that hard for it...

A D30 has the same bolt pattern an 4.10's gears, so it will be ok... not the best but it will be good to throw away a IFS sh!t...

A D44 from a waggy has 6 lug and a bigger hub, so a universal wheel will not work, and a lug adapter cannot change a 6 bolt to 5...

Cutting the crap, it will be a lot easier to go with the D30, but what about 4.56's ARB locker and 35, anyone with this setup??

Thanks guys for your answer, I'm a newbie, and I really aprecciate your help, for those who aren't helping...:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

XJ's in SA run HP 44's that are a direct swap for the TJ, XJ, ZJ, dana 30. They are manufactured by the Dana factory in Venezuela. Why not go that route?

I'm with Mr. Blaine, grab a front XJ 44, only the center section is a 44 though you still get D30 knuckles, ball joints unit bearings etc.

Originally posted by ashmanjeepXJ


How about $745.67 and ahh some left over 1976 F350 parts?:D

Details, bro, details. Didja narrow it? Which side? Are you running the 4 link suspension with coils? Shaved? BOM?

SeanP

I trust my D30 completely. It keeps my boat moored off just fine. :D

I dont live in Venezuela, so I'll just go right ahead: 60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60 s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s6s06 0s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s 60s!!

After this last weekend seeing an XJ blow 2 u-joints and and destroying 2 outers and 1 inner.
And a TJ with the warn 5.5 hub conversion blow a joint and took the outer warn shaft with it.

I'm mighty happy with my waggy 44 with warn shafts!:flipoff2:

this is why I threw mine in the local dumpster:rolleyes:

Originally posted by KYODER
Don't forget your mighty midget 30's have good ground clearance.
Sean p. I'll build ya a 44 or 60 for less than 3 g's hahahahaha

nine cost 900 (without locker)
you dont get this with your punny 44 or 30....

or this........

Originally posted by Chrisjeep7
or this........

900, is this stock width? Stock axle shafts? I just cannot run a full width under and XJ and have any hope of being legal on the road.

KYODER is suggesting a 60/9 hybrid which could be cool. 9" center sections are cheap. just need to pull all the outer stuff from a scrap D60. I am hoping for about $2K with warn axles and locker when it is all said and done.

SeanP

Originally posted by SeanP


900, is this stock width? Stock axle shafts? I just cannot run a full width under and XJ and have any hope of being legal on the road.

KYODER is suggesting a 60/9 hybrid which could be cool. 9" center sections are cheap. just need to pull all the outer stuff from a scrap D60. I am hoping for about $2K with warn axles and locker when it is all said and done.

SeanP

sorry it is 950...yes it is full width. i got it from a guy on the PBB (thanks RB) . but now i just have to come up with the money to get it UNDER the jeep and not in the yard :(

Ok my turn to add to this stupid thread.

My 97 TJ has had a dana 30 in the front with 4:10's and now 4:88's and 35 MTR's..

So far the only thing that has busted has been (4) 297 x ujoints and 2 shafts.....

Sure the ARB has come apart 3 times and is now WELDED Back together.. But it still is working. And If you wheel with me. I lock that puppy all the time.

Heck, The last time I nuked the short side u joint and shaft.. I still wheeled the rest of the day with only the long side. And If I even did the famous 3 stage at Wellsville with only 3 shafts..
Just lock it up and hang on.

Dana 30 or Dana 44,,, They are both tooo small. Due to the U joints. The U joints are the weakest link.

***********Impt note**********
///
///
///
TJ
If your wheelbearing is wobbling, take it apart and hit it with a hammer. It will save you 100 bucks... Or find a YJ that has been scraped and use them, They are the same. :D

///
///
///



Why did I add to this FAWKING thread? WTF was I thinking...
:confused:

I trust my d30...not the one i have but the one im getting for $350 with 4.88's, truetrac.

I look at it the only reason to really go to d44 front is for the gears (if u need them)...ur still going to bust ujoints. Not worth it right yet to swap unless i straight fawking everything up then its on to a d44 front

This thread just won't die, will it?:D I'll wheel my D30 till it breaks, only problem is it won't break, and that's locked wheeling some rather difficult terrain around Farmington, NM.:flipoff2:

Originally posted by landuseorc
This thread just won't die, will it?:D I'll wheel my D30 till it breaks, only problem is it won't break, and that's locked wheeling some rather difficult terrain around Farmington, NM.:flipoff2:

Thats the way I feel, Wheel it till it breakes then upgrade.
I just moved up to 33's and I'll be lite footed for some time.

Will TJ d30 shafts work in a CJ d30? I can get a set for free. They have the 297x u-joints. Is it possible to put them in a wide track CJ dana 30? I would be really lucky if they'll just slide in. I think the TJ axle is a little wider than the CJ. Could they be cut and resplined to work. That would still be cheap compared to getting custom shafts with the 297x.

Or will they fit in a YJ d30? They'd make a nice axle out of that little high pinion front. The axle they are coming out of is dead.

DIE DIE DIE!!!!!!!!

This thread sucks. :mad:

I keep thinking it'll be a couple pages back, but noooooooooooo!!!!!

I'm going to use my super powers and help it.


Hello oblivion

:flipoff2: