Dana 30 big joint conversion - 75 CJ5 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Lars915 · 02-25-2006, 08:08 AM

Since search is down I'll take the opportunity to shoot out a dumb ass newbie, asked all the time question

I'm building a 75 CJ5 for mild trail use. I'm planning 33's max, selectable locker both ends, 4.10 gears. The question is: Will the D30 hold up reliably to the 33's with the big joint axle conversion (D44 sized u-joints)? I was planning to use non-alloy axles and standard Spicer joints (the Superior kit IIRC.) The rig will mainly see fire roads with some light rock crawling thrown in. I drive easy, no wheels up full throttle assaults.

Brink_ · 02-25-2006, 08:19 AM

Should be OK for that setup. 33's on the Dana30 is a pretty common thing to see.

Ran mine with 36's for 1 season. It was a TJ D30 and I ate unit bearings for lunch at that tire size. Never planned to keep it that way. Just couldn't get time to finish my front 60 till now.

4x401cj · 02-25-2006, 08:57 AM

If you honestly will drive like your saying, I wouldn`t be afraid to go with 35`s. The only problems I ever had on my `72 and `73 cj5`s with tires that size was issues with the front hubs spinning bearing races. That issue went away when I changed the 10" wheels to 8" and kept a close eye on bearing maintinance. IMO for general offroad use there`s nothing wrong with a Dana 30.

Lars915 · 02-25-2006, 10:41 AM

Sounds good, I was hoping to hear that type of feedback. I've got a heavy duty crawler so this is the goin' fishin' rig, it'll get driven pretty easy.

CJ-Jeeper · 02-25-2006, 10:17 PM

Does'nt sound like you even need the upgrade

420willys · 02-26-2006, 08:13 AM

i was suprised what my dana 30 could handle after years of beating on it in my old 7, but what realy blow's my mind is how my dad's model 25 front locked with 34's holds up to the trail's, yes its a northeast jeep but we have a few rocky trials ( old florida road, beacon ) and he only snapped one outer stub over 7 years. i think that 30 you have will be fine, we all get a little PBB brain washed over the years thinking that if its a 30 its junk, for what the where they hold up fine to mild abuse to ocasionally heavy abuse, jason.

02-25-2006, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lars915 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12876 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 874	Dana 30 big joint conversion - 75 CJ5 Since search is down I'll take the opportunity to shoot out a dumb ass newbie, asked all the time question I'm building a 75 CJ5 for mild trail use. I'm planning 33's max, selectable locker both ends, 4.10 gears. The question is: Will the D30 hold up reliably to the 33's with the big joint axle conversion (D44 sized u-joints)? I was planning to use non-alloy axles and standard Spicer joints (the Superior kit IIRC.) The rig will mainly see fire roads with some light rock crawling thrown in. I drive easy, no wheels up full throttle assaults.

02-25-2006, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
CJ-Jeeper Rock God Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2095 Location: Belmont / Modesto, CA Posts: 1,344	Does'nt sound like you even need the upgrade __________________ '79CJ5,soa,d44/60,t18,d18w/Obrian 3.6low,5.13's,35x14.5SSR's '02 Z71

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02-25-2006, 08:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brink_ Life on the Darkside Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 63901 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,663	Should be OK for that setup. 33's on the Dana30 is a pretty common thing to see. Ran mine with 36's for 1 season. It was a TJ D30 and I ate unit bearings for lunch at that tire size. Never planned to keep it that way. Just couldn't get time to finish my front 60 till now.

02-25-2006, 08:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
4x401cj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37244 Location: Gresham, Oregon Posts: 1,021	If you honestly will drive like your saying, I wouldn`t be afraid to go with 35`s. The only problems I ever had on my `72 and `73 cj5`s with tires that size was issues with the front hubs spinning bearing races. That issue went away when I changed the 10" wheels to 8" and kept a close eye on bearing maintinance. IMO for general offroad use there`s nothing wrong with a Dana 30.

02-25-2006, 10:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lars915 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12876 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 874	Sounds good, I was hoping to hear that type of feedback. I've got a heavy duty crawler so this is the goin' fishin' rig, it'll get driven pretty easy.

02-26-2006, 08:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
420willys Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23452 Location: holland mass USA Posts: 2,050	i was suprised what my dana 30 could handle after years of beating on it in my old 7, but what realy blow's my mind is how my dad's model 25 front locked with 34's holds up to the trail's, yes its a northeast jeep but we have a few rocky trials ( old florida road, beacon ) and he only snapped one outer stub over 7 years. i think that 30 you have will be fine, we all get a little PBB brain washed over the years thinking that if its a 30 its junk, for what the where they hold up fine to mild abuse to ocasionally heavy abuse, jason.