adding beef to the 30

[DarkWolfTJ]

what is a good way to add some extra strength to the dana 30. Wanted to add a locker like aussie. Think new stronger shafts inner and outer will do? Not looking for a price vs strength comparison, just want some advice other than searching for a 44 or 10 bolt.

[cweed]

I have a Dana 30 in the front of my 85 CJ&, it's a wide track which similar to the wrangler 30. I installed Warn chromolly shafts with the large u-joint knuckles and an OX locker. I also welded small triangle gussets top and bottom of the inner knuckle to shaft tube mount. I am working on a truss to go across the pumpkin. I run 35's on mine and do a lot off rock crawling (bigger the rock the better) and have had no problems at all with my D30.

I couldn't afford a D44, 60 or 2-tons like so many others discuss, so I made my 30 stronger and it works for me.

[kcruisin]

Chromolly shafts will up-grade the U-joint, the weak link, to a D-44. It's recommended up to a 35" tire. I've seen several people have good luck with 37s on them.

[pdw]

what is a good way to add some extra strength to the dana 30. Wanted to add a locker like aussie. Think new stronger shafts inner and outer will do? Not looking for a price vs strength comparison, just want some advice other than searching for a 44 or 10 bolt.

I have upgraded the axles to the 27 spline/stock spline count USA Alloy axles along with an Aussie locker. I have nothing but good results over the last two years.
I currently run 33" MTR's and will move up to 35's when they finally wear out! Also, my future plans include a Currie 9" front axle when I finally break the front axle....or get a new job....
IMO - it's a reasonable compromise unless you can find a Dana 44 for almost NOTHING!

[RAT]

There are a lot of people out there that bag on the lowly D30, but I've beat the daylights out of mine for over four years (theres plenty of photographic evidence on this forum) and it just keeps on going. Truss is coming soon with some coilovers, but right now it's Alloy USA chromos and 360 joints, ARB, Gussets and skids where needed. Eventually I'll move up to the big leagues, but till then, D30s RULE!

[aw12345]

Instead of a truss some people put a sleeve on the inside of the axle tubes and gusset the inner knuckle to the axle tube, seems to be the hot ticket for a lot of the JK's out there add some good shafts and its a pretty good axle. After that the biggest detractor is the lack of big gears for it

[dr.dirty]

Instead of a truss some people put a sleeve on the inside of the axle tubes and gusset the inner knuckle to the axle tube, seems to be the hot ticket for a lot of the JK's out there add some good shafts and its a pretty good axle. After that the biggest detractor is the lack of big gears for it

yeah the JK dana44s tend to bend fairly easy the C's are weak especially when you get bigger tires im waiting on my sleeves and C gussets


i have wheeled with Rat many times and if i didnt know better id think hes running Dana 60s lol

if i had a dana 30 id run what Rat does it seems to work wonderfully

[NAILER341]

i have beaten the hell out of mine, though i have more crap in it than should be lagal with the:

• CTM's
• ARB with Super 30
• Superior 30 splinr alloy axles
• big brakes

and some other crap.

making a dana 30 work isnt a cheap date but it has its benefits.

[Ol Man]

On my 1985 CJ7 I have a dana 30. When I started into this Jeep thing I had no idea I would get into it in the manner I have. The CJ is no longer my main trail rig, but a good one to use for the lesser trails than the Hammers, although it has been over those trails multiple times. I have CTMs, Warn chrome moly axles, Warn hubs, ARB, etc. Since 1994 I have gone through one ARB and two ring and pinions. Had I known I was going to go this hard core when I first starting building my axles, I would have at least started with a dana 44 (I even have an AMC 20 with a lot of money in that also). The cost of all the parts would have been the same over the purchase of the housing. So I tell people to think how much they are going to get into this off road thing and build accordingly from the beginning. May cost a little more initially, but worth it in the long run.

The other thing I think is very important in keeping a dana 30 together is throttle control. To that end I would recommend going as low a crawl ratio as possible. Mine is 105:1. I run a 4:1 in the transfer case, a 6.32 in the T-19 and 4.10 gears (which gives you a larger pinion than a lower geared one). My FToy has an automatic and I think an automatic is the way to go and went that way with my new Rubicon.

[dirtman13]

My 30 is stock except for the OX locker and gears and I'm very hard on my Jeep. I've only broke 1 shaft so far(knock on wood) :bonk: thanks Max.

[inVERt'D]

Yeah, you can make that D30 work; my advice, don't go too big with the tires don't wheel like a jackass. The smarter you wheel, the less money you need to put into the vehicle. It's so easy to get caught up in spending money to solve (or prevent) problems.

My TJ's running an Aussie Locked Dana 30 w/ stock axles, and 297 joints (soon to be 760s--cheap) and 33" MTRs. Partly because of this, and moreso because it's my only vehicle, I try to use finesse with the throttle, and I always listen for the tickety-click of my joints.

I appreciate others' advice and perspective, but for every guy who tells you to trash the D30 and go to the D44, there are two more who will tell that you're better off going straight to a D60 or better. Using that line of reasoning, to hell with your Jeep--just sell it and start building a rock buggy. You know, I was talking to an 80 year old guy awhile back about his WWII training; he spent a hell of a long time in mountain warfare training, and part of it included hoisting Jeeps up rock faces with the most expensive Warn winches...? Nope...with a frickin' BLOCK AND TACKLE...I say that's a ROPE boy, a ROPE!!!

For me there's a certain satisfaction of wheeling an "underdog" Jeep. It's not about what I've got, it's about how I use what I've got. Besides, my little Jeep can kick your big Jeep's ass :whip::whip::whip:

[RAT]

Yeah, you can make that D30 work; my advice, don't go too big with the tires don't wheel like a jackass. The smarter you wheel, the less money you need to put into the vehicle. It's so easy to get caught up in spending money to solve (or prevent) problems.

God Bless America man, truer words were never spoken.:thumbs_up

For me there's a certain satisfaction of wheeling an "underdog" Jeep. It's not about what I've got, it's about how I use what I've got. Besides, my little Jeep can kick your big Jeep's ass :whip::whip::whip:

What more needs to be said? Your a good man Charlie Brown...

[RAT]

and some other crap.
.

AhhhHAaaaaa! That's your secret! I always wondered about that...

[aw12345]

Inverted, very well said, I enjoy going places on my little 32 tires and still keep up with my buddies on bigger tires and with much more bling

[NAILER341]

AhhhHAaaaaa! That's your secret! I always wondered about that...

if you fill it with poo you don't even need gear oil