Stronger front axle for TJ

[rckymntn05]

Just curious, If I wanted to stay away from full width axles and keep my rear D44 in but put something stronger up front, what are my options besides a rubicon front D44? I don't want the front wheels sticking out more than the rears!

I also know that it's a matter of time before I splinter the D30.

[Bigbike]

You can do a HP XJ D30, A Waggy LP D44 wont stick out to far, obvously a Rubi D44.

[HeavyMetal]

a rubicon "d44" is not worth the money IMO.

[rckymntn05]

a rubicon "d44" is not worth the money IMO.

Mine either, thats exactly why I want to know my other options. Any suggestions on whats best? How do the D30 upgrade packages hold up?

[grundlepunch]

i like my waggy 44. oh and a little wider in the front is a good thing.

[Even]

If you're going to do an axle swap, go with a waggy 44.

[Zullock Holmes]

there was an article in petersons off road couple months back about beefing the D30. basically they dumped a shit ton of money into it, and if you have the money why not? they upgraded to 35 spline chromolly shafts, installed aftermarket 44 knuckles, i forget which ones fit it, and did some other stuff. In the end they were calling it a 30/44 hybrid.

if your really interested i'll look around and find the article and give you some of the details.

[rckymntn05]

there was an article in petersons off road couple months back about beefing the D30. basically they dumped a shit ton of money into it, and if you have the money why not? they upgraded to 35 spline chromolly shafts, installed aftermarket 44 knuckles, i forget which ones fit it, and did some other stuff. In the end they were calling it a 30/44 hybrid.

if your really interested i'll look around and find the article and give you some of the details.

If you could find it I would consider doing that. I might actually have that article in one of my jeep magazines somewhere....sounds familiar. Will the 30 hold up decently if you beef it up though? I eventually want to go locked in the front, but not until the axle can take the extra abuse. Not too worried about the rear yet, so thats getting locked soon.

And how hard are waggy 44's to find.....doesn't sound like something I'd come accross easily. . .

[Zullock Holmes]

from what i've heard if a d30 is built properly it will hold 35's with no issues. i know will and i think some other people around these parts run 35's on their d30's.

[HitItWithSomeSpeed]

I say run what you got and start saving for a bigger axle swap (aka 60's) down the road.

everyone comes to the dark side in the end!

but if you really wanna build a super 30 start with dynatrac, i think they were the ones that came out with the 44 outters for the 30. then you need a kit like superior's super 30 that comes with shafts and a locker. truss that shit for good measure and you should be able to run 35"s all day.

good luck.

[XJLI]

HP30 is way stronger than a LP, just go that route. cheaper too.

[Ktmracer419]

there was an article in petersons off road couple months back about beefing the D30. basically they dumped a shit ton of money into it, and if you have the money why not? they upgraded to 35 spline chromolly shafts, installed aftermarket 44 knuckles, i forget which ones fit it, and did some other stuff. In the end they were calling it a 30/44 hybrid.

if your really interested i'll look around and find the article and give you some of the details.

35 spline cromo's in a 30? thats pretty nutty. you will blow the housing to smithereens before you break a shaft. and of course ring and pinion strength comes into play.

i made a post about someone who makes 30/44 hybrid knuckles, dedenbear i think. It allows you to run dana44 outers on your dana30. you get locking hubs, real brakes, manly bearings. i would rock that on a hp dana 30. 30 spline cromo's will be more than beef enough, you will see ring and pinion carnage if you get anything stronger.

snappin shafts> strippin gears.

the only axle swap aside from another dana30/rubi 44 that is practical and similar to stock width is a 1980-1992waggy 44 (not with vac disco). its low pinion which is a little lame, but you get all the other goodies of a real axle.



btw there is a sticky at the top of this section that will tell you all about it

[grundlepunch]

sinking a ton of money into a d30 is something a lot of people regret

i say just have a set of spare d30 shafts on hand with unit bearings on them in your jeep. if you start breaking a lot THEN upgrade. the longer you wait and the more you wheel/learn the better choice you will make when it comes to upgrading.
have you broken anything on your d30 yet? (aside from putting thornbirds on it )

[rckymntn05]

sinking a ton of money into a d30 is something a lot of people regret

i say just have a set of spare d30 shafts on hand with unit bearings on them in your jeep. if you start breaking a lot THEN upgrade. the longer you wait and the more you wheel/learn the better choice you will make when it comes to upgrading.
have you broken anything on your d30 yet? (aside from putting thornbirds on it )

Nope, havn't broken anything yet, but I was going to do some "preventitive maintenence." Those MASSIVE GRIPPY tires might snap that axle in half.

[HeavyMetal]

sinking a ton of money into a d30 is something a lot of people regret

i say just have a set of spare d30 shafts on hand with unit bearings on them in your jeep. if you start breaking a lot THEN upgrade. the longer you wait and the more you wheel/learn the better choice you will make when it comes to upgrading.
have you broken anything on your d30 yet? (aside from putting thornbirds on it )

i agree with dana entirely ( )

i run 35s on my 30, have been for 2 years...i blew up a ujoint once but that was my own fault being a dumbass..coulda been easily avoided..but thats 2 years of wheelin. i dont slam on my rig but i dont stick to only easy trails at all either..
carry spares like dana said...if u dont break u dont break, ive never had use for the upgrade so i just carry 2 spare shafts. paid 40 total for em both from harrys u pull it. cheap insurance i say.