Can/should I beef-up a Dana 30? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

newt · 02-17-2002, 11:10 AM

If I upgrade the axles (Warn's), Hubs (Warn's), and U-joints (CTM's), can I make a Dana 30 just about as strong as a built Dana 44? Where would the week point be (the hub, right)? I would think this would be a very ecconomical way to run ~35"s without breaking (compared to having a complete 44 or 60 built). What do you think?

XtrmTJ · 02-17-2002, 11:50 AM

Little botton , upper right hand corner..." SEARCH " !

FNG !

__(OIIIIIO)__rOkOn

JIM3030 · 02-17-2002, 12:28 PM

[no way. I ran 35's for a little while but with no locker. and if you try to drive over a stone you will be straightening and strenghtening your tie rod

Dan-H · 02-17-2002, 01:26 PM

lets look at all the screwups so far

1) (obviously) you didn't search or you would have found a thread less than 2 weeks old on the same subject
2) you cross posted the same Q in the jeep and the general boards

3) you didn't say what kind of a dana 30.

Dan-H · 02-17-2002, 01:34 PM

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...threadid=30856

newt · 02-17-2002, 03:07 PM

I did do a search before I posted this and found almost no information. There was plenty of BS and "don't do anything smaller than a D60," but almost no actual information. Thanks for that one link. I didn't find it in my search. It had some nuggets of info hidden w/in all the crap.

I'm talking about a CJ Dana 30. Aren't the knuckles the same (30 vs 44)? It just seems like such a waste to buy a 44, narrow it, and fill it with all the "good parts" if it won't be any stronger than a 30 with the same "good parts". Apart from the axles, hub, and Ujoints, what is the real benefit of the 44 over the 30?

I may be 'new' but I'm trying to learn. Does any one have the answers to my questions?

TRD · 02-17-2002, 03:36 PM

concidering my friend just blew out his D44 with 31's i wouldn't mess with a D30

landusepbb · 02-17-2002, 03:58 PM

What you suggest doing will give you some additional strength, but there is one big problem there is no way around. If you go with decent gearing, say 4.56, 4.88 or better, your pinion gear to ring gear contact is PUNY , you will have a half a tooth contact at any one time on a very small R&P, a recipe for disaster.

Jeepmangled87 · 02-17-2002, 04:35 PM

dont waste the cash either keep the dana 30 stock and leave it alone, or go to a Dana 44 beefed up or even a front Dana 60 if you got the cash but dont waste your money on overpriced Dana 30 bullshit.

Po' riggity · 02-17-2002, 06:52 PM

Wow... lots of opinions here.. Im planning on sticking some 297 u joints in my D30.....

UNTIL I CAN AFFORD A 44 FRONT!

Scott

<><

Cutter · 02-17-2002, 09:03 PM

with the 297X's in the 30, the 44 won't be an upgrade.

LAME · 02-18-2002, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tj7
dont waste your money dude,and do not put in lock outs you will tightening all day long (the bearings that is)i have a high pinion 44 on ebay if you want take a look at it i even have the matchinf 9 inch to go with it ....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...tem=1805025370
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...tem=1805031689

Sell him your t-case while you are at it

tj7 · 02-18-2002, 09:33 AM

what ever he wants i have a couple of them lying around if he wants to do that...

NothernAZxj · 02-18-2002, 09:50 AM

Quote:

concidering my friend just blew out his D44 with 31's i wouldn't mess with a D30

So your friend needs to learn to drive....whats that got to do with this post.....

Po' riggity · 02-18-2002, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cutter
with the 297X's in the 30, the 44 won't be an upgrade.

Thats not necessarily true... you get 3 more splines with the 44, a stronger housing, and a bigger ring and pinion.. thats an upgrade in my book..
Scott

Jakesteramalamajama · 02-18-2002, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1badjeep

Thats not necessarily true... you get 3 more splines with the 44, a stronger housing, and a bigger ring and pinion.. thats an upgrade in my book..
Scott

Don't forget the thicker tubes, bigger spindles, bigger steering gear, bigger tie rod ends, bigger balljoints, bigger brakes, and bigger bearings.

Yeah, I'd definitely say the 44 is an upgrade.

Meyer · 02-18-2002, 06:11 PM

I scan down the list of topics and click on ones like these when I need a good laugh

landusepbb · 02-18-2002, 06:40 PM

What's so fricking funny about this topic. Sure its been asked before, but not everyone can afford time or money wise a completely different diff in their vehicle. Its people like you that are a joke if you can't understand that. The point is this guy wants to wheel, and do the best with what he's got, can afford, and can do.

CJ-Jeeper · 02-18-2002, 07:17 PM

You can probably pick up a 44 & have it shortened for the $$ you will put into your 30

ROKCRAZ · 02-19-2002, 08:30 AM

I ran 38X14.50 with Ox locker and 4:88 R/P with my 30 and 35 with detroit on the rear on my TJ, I have no problems. I've been to hard trails, you just got to know how to drive it. I've seen people with 60 and still breaking it..

MadMan · 02-19-2002, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by landuseorc
What's so fricking funny about this topic. Sure its been asked before, but not everyone can afford time or money wise a completely different diff in their vehicle. Its people like you that are a joke if you can't understand that. The point is this guy wants to wheel, and do the best with what he's got, can afford, and can do.

Hey Brad,
Ease up a bit. The guy is new and just trying (albeit a poor attempt) to fit in. I think he was refering to the flame crap at the start of this post that's all.

As to the Dana 30, I would not waste the money, put the money you want to spend on fixing up the 30 into the bank and keep saving, so when you break the 30, you can replace it with a D44 or something better. A piece of shit in a tuxedo, is still a piece of shit.

Cutter · 02-19-2002, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama

Don't forget the thicker tubes, bigger spindles, bigger steering gear, bigger tie rod ends, bigger balljoints, bigger brakes, and bigger bearings.

Yeah, I'd definitely say the 44 is an upgrade.

bigger, but not a bunch stronger...

pari_tj · 02-19-2002, 11:39 AM

I just have this to say, yes I am newbie to this board but not to jeepin. I have a '98 TJ that I have been wheeling hard in clayton, ok. I have ran just about every trail there many times.

I have a upgraded D30 and have no problems, i think it is all a matter of who you drive it. I have ran boggers and Xterrain tires with no difference.

You read my signature and see what I have done, with no breakage. I don't even run CTM's yet.

Paris_TJ

Welby · 02-19-2002, 11:40 AM

And replacing blown axles due to exploding u-joints on a 44 is better than doing the same on a 30 how?

Keith Strong · 02-19-2002, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by landuseorc
What's so fricking funny about this topic. Sure its been asked before, but not everyone can afford time or money wise a completely different diff in their vehicle. Its people like you that are a joke if you can't understand that. The point is this guy wants to wheel, and do the best with what he's got, can afford, and can do.

You are talkin affordable, and what you say makes sense, but from how I am understanding him he wants to spend a BUTTLOAD of money on the D30

02-17-2002, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
newt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9298 Location: Suffolk VA Posts: 457	Can/should I beef-up a Dana 30? If I upgrade the axles (Warn's), Hubs (Warn's), and U-joints (CTM's), can I make a Dana 30 just about as strong as a built Dana 44? Where would the week point be (the hub, right)? I would think this would be a very ecconomical way to run ~35"s without breaking (compared to having a complete 44 or 60 built). What do you think?

02-17-2002, 11:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
XtrmTJ Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 939 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 1,547	Little botton , upper right hand corner..." SEARCH " ! FNG ! __(OIIIIIO)__rOkOn __________________ I am a Sheep Dog, ... Wolves Beware !

02-17-2002, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
JIM3030 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 232 Location: RIPON CA Posts: 1,065	Re: Can/should I beef-up a Dana 30? [no way. I ran 35's for a little while but with no locker. and if you try to drive over a stone you will be straightening and strenghtening your tie rod __________________ 86 CJ7 35" tires

02-17-2002, 01:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dan-H Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 792 Location: El Dorado County CA Posts: 2,176	lets look at all the screwups so far 1) (obviously) you didn't search or you would have found a thread less than 2 weeks old on the same subject 2) you cross posted the same Q in the jeep and the general boards 3) you didn't say what kind of a dana 30. __________________ 01 TJ

02-17-2002, 01:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dan-H Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 792 Location: El Dorado County CA Posts: 2,176	http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...threadid=30856 __________________ 01 TJ

02-17-2002, 03:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
newt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9298 Location: Suffolk VA Posts: 457	I did do a search before I posted this and found almost no information. There was plenty of BS and "don't do anything smaller than a D60," but almost no actual information. Thanks for that one link. I didn't find it in my search. It had some nuggets of info hidden w/in all the crap. I'm talking about a CJ Dana 30. Aren't the knuckles the same (30 vs 44)? It just seems like such a waste to buy a 44, narrow it, and fill it with all the "good parts" if it won't be any stronger than a 30 with the same "good parts". Apart from the axles, hub, and Ujoints, what is the real benefit of the 44 over the 30? I may be 'new' but I'm trying to learn. Does any one have the answers to my questions?

02-17-2002, 03:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
TRD Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8286 Location: Costa Mesa, Ca Posts: 4,684	concidering my friend just blew out his D44 with 31's i wouldn't mess with a D30 __________________ -Ryan

02-17-2002, 03:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
landusepbb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9328 Location: At the Mountains of Madness Posts: 2,793	What you suggest doing will give you some additional strength, but there is one big problem there is no way around. If you go with decent gearing, say 4.56, 4.88 or better, your pinion gear to ring gear contact is PUNY , you will have a half a tooth contact at any one time on a very small R&P, a recipe for disaster. __________________ "Somewhere. Out there. Is a big ass forest of weed"--Thomas Edison (from Rolling Kansas)

02-17-2002, 04:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jeepmangled87 ROCK & ROLL OFFROAD Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3906 Location: ROCK AND ROLL OFFROAD Dallas/Ft.Worth Tx. Posts: 6,130	dont waste the cash either keep the dana 30 stock and leave it alone, or go to a Dana 44 beefed up or even a front Dana 60 if you got the cash but dont waste your money on overpriced Dana 30 bullshit.

02-17-2002, 09:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cutter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5510 Location: Fischer, TX Posts: 2,936	with the 297X's in the 30, the 44 won't be an upgrade. __________________ Lewis'Cutter'Jones Moab, Utah '99 Disco II TReK and some other junk... www.anasaziexpeditions.com www.moabslickrockhouse.com

02-18-2002, 09:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
tj7 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6425 Location: CANADA Posts: 914	what ever he wants i have a couple of them lying around if he wants to do that...

02-18-2002, 06:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
Meyer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5374 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 536	What a topic I scan down the list of topics and click on ones like these when I need a good laugh __________________ CJ5 with stuff...

02-18-2002, 06:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
landusepbb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9328 Location: At the Mountains of Madness Posts: 2,793	What's so fricking funny about this topic. Sure its been asked before, but not everyone can afford time or money wise a completely different diff in their vehicle. Its people like you that are a joke if you can't understand that. The point is this guy wants to wheel, and do the best with what he's got, can afford, and can do. __________________ "Somewhere. Out there. Is a big ass forest of weed"--Thomas Edison (from Rolling Kansas)

02-18-2002, 07:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
CJ-Jeeper Rock God Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2095 Location: Belmont / Modesto, CA Posts: 1,344	You can probably pick up a 44 & have it shortened for the $$ you will put into your 30 __________________ '79CJ5,soa,d44/60,t18,d18w/Obrian 3.6low,5.13's,35x14.5SSR's '02 Z71

02-19-2002, 08:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
ROKCRAZ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1980 Location: cameron park ca. Posts: 165	I ran 38X14.50 with Ox locker and 4:88 R/P with my 30 and 35 with detroit on the rear on my TJ, I have no problems. I've been to hard trails, you just got to know how to drive it. I've seen people with 60 and still breaking it..

02-19-2002, 11:39 AM	#23 (permalink)
pari_tj Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10103 Location: Paris, Texas Posts: 10	I just have this to say, yes I am newbie to this board but not to jeepin. I have a '98 TJ that I have been wheeling hard in clayton, ok. I have ran just about every trail there many times. I have a upgraded D30 and have no problems, i think it is all a matter of who you drive it. I have ran boggers and Xterrain tires with no difference. You read my signature and see what I have done, with no breakage. I don't even run CTM's yet. Paris_TJ __________________ '98 TJ 4.0L, Auto, D44 Rear with OX, D30 Front with OX, Warn Inner Axles, Warn Hub Conversion, Warn 9500i, Borla Header, Flowmaster, 35" Xterrains.

02-19-2002, 11:40 AM	#24 (permalink)
Welby Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7287 Location: Greensburg, PA Posts: 6,023	And replacing blown axles due to exploding u-joints on a 44 is better than doing the same on a 30 how? __________________ Come back here, so that I may brain thee!

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