D30 vs. D44

YJWolf, you missed something at the top of the post. It's not Sarah asking the question. It's Rick, using Sarah's screenname. Rick is the proud owner of a CJ-7, and thus doesn't have to worry about the 5 on 4.5

[YJWOLF]

And Kilby over at Kilby enterprises runs his TJ-7 SUA rear and coiled front. I think he used 6" Alcan springs or something like that. Said it felt a lot better and more stable then the coils did.

[YJWOLF]

The problem with upgrading the D30 is that all those new shafts and U-joints makes the R&P the weak link. IMO it easier to change out a U-Joint than a R&P, and afterall those new parts, its still a D30. The difference between 30 and 44 is R&P size after shaft upgrades. You can do all those things to a D44 too, and now rival a 9" or 60 strength(not really but you get the idea.). To be safe, if you're running less then 35"s use the 30, and if more than 44. But if you beat the hell outta a 30 with 35"s its gonna break. Yes ive seen people run 38"s on a 30 and survive. And what 44 front has a 5x4.5 bolt pattern, or when you did the hub conversion did you get the 5x5.5 one? Funny thing is Warn;s own site says the 5x4.5 is for tires 32" and smaller. So in conclusion use the 44 and be safe.

[goodtimes]

I have no personal experience with dana 30's (mine came with that half breed dana44 up front), but I have heard plenty of stories about people blowing up the R&P on the dana 30's. In fact, I hear about blown diffs as much as I hear about broken shafts on the 30's.

I know this guy is running d44's (F & R) with 38's, and has had very good luck with them (although he is running dutchman alloy shafts).



I don't think I would try that with a dana 30......but (there is always a "but" isnt there?), I know of people who run locked dana 30's with 35" tires and have had no problems.

scared me too !

Although I would love to have a tj with leaf springs !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dukes69]

Hey Rick!!! Your blowing my mind!!! I was reading this thinking " why in the hell does Sarah need a Warn kit and a front D44 and all that jazz?!?" but then I realized that you are talking about your CJ.

Scary stuff man!

[sarah]

Ok, I have a line on two D44 axles, a front and a rear. I'm trying to figure out what the heck I want to do.... here is the dilemma:

I already have the Warn hub conversion on my D30, so I could put some beefy Warn or Moser axles in it to make it almost as stout as the stock D44. This would cost ~$700-850, depending on the ujoints I choose. Does anybody know for sure if this would be as strong as (or stronger) than the stock D44? I guess I hate to spend all that money on the D30 unless it is actually stronger than the D44. I know that the D44 shares the same ball joints as the D30, so there is no distinct advantage for the 44 there. I think the knuckles are a bit different. Anybody know the difference between the D30 and D44 spindles? I think that the bolt pattern is the same, but I'm not sure. I could always use my Warn hubs on the D44 if the spindles are the same. I guess the main advantage of the 44 over the 30 is the tube diameter, right? So the axle should be stiffer.

The other thing is the axles are both set up for spring over, but that's easy enough to change back. I guess I hate to do all this work for what amounts to a not much stronger axle. I think we will probably slap the rear 44 under Sarah's TJ if I decide to get them. Then we can stop Chris having to tell us to buy spare axles...lol. Then maybe she'll have some leaf springs too ...

Looking for opinions...

:shades: