Alright folks. Getting a low pinion xj Dana 30.

Yeah yeah I know, Dana 44 would be better, and so would a d30 high pinion.
But I'm getting a LP d30.

So, what parts would you use? Chromoly shafts I'm assuming? What brand is best. 4.56's im guessing would be the limit on a LP d30? Or could it handle 4.88's? Anyone have experience on that?

Right now the plan is to build it up over winter as money allows, then toss it under the ranger.

Just need some insight on what parts to toss at it.

 

Yeah chromoly shafts. I'm going to go through Yukon for my gears and chromo shafts in my d44 and d60. Start looking around for parts and you should be able to find what you're looking for. As for the gear question, there should be 4.88 gears for that axle, I'd be surprised if there wasn't, but don't quote me on that

 

Yeah I think 4.88 is as low as it goes, but with it being a low pinion that may be pushing the limits. I'll see what others say.

Also I'll look into Yukon gears and axles.

 

Yeah Yukon parts are gonna be a little more expensive but from what I have read, they are well worth it. You've got an HP now right? I thought I read that over on TRS.

 

Well if the guy selling can find a time during the week to let me come get it I'll have it lol.

I live out of the city, and he's in the city. Hes only free on weekends. No way I'm driving 3 hours to get an axle. So hopefully Friday I can get it.

Then I can start tearing it down and building it up. And post real progress lol.

This one I'm getting has everything. Track bar, axle shafts, brakes, etc. Much more complete then the one I have.

 

Small update. Never got that high pinion.

Have a line on another one though.

 

I have Yukons in my 7.5 and they've run great. I got G2s for the 8.8 I'm working on though. Read nothing but good reviews and they were $50 cheaper. Also read that they may be made by the same people but I haven't been able to confirm. Just another option for ya.

 

Yeah I've been seeing a lot of people using g2 lately. Probably what I'll go with. I'll be picking up gears hopefully next pay check. Maybe inner c gussets as well.

Pay after that will be a truss.

This will be a long slow build lol.

 

As for traction aids, I don't really want a locker. Don't want to push my luck with a d30 lol. But I'd like something better than open. Would something like a Detroit trutrac be a good idea?


And cleaning the axle. Wire wheel and paint? Sandblast it? It will be a complete tear down and rebuild of it. So it will be a bare housing when it gets cleaned.

 

Finally got a high pinion. Complete axle. Shafts, steering components, etc.



Lowered my focus in then rear about an inch LOL

 

Daylight pics.

Steering box



Axle

 

if you're patient enough to save for a new carrier for that 30, especially a detroit, i'd rethink this and do a 44. thats big bucks for an axle you KNOW will break. keeping it open will save shafts and be easier on your steering as you already know. but if you wanna keep it cheap, keep a stock carrier and just beef up the housing. C gussets first, sleeve the tube maybe, control arm gussets etc. chromo shafts if you find them cheap but again, not worth it IMO for a 30, when you can pull a stock shaft just about anywhere for a chero-car. glad you found a HP!

 

In all honesty I would also go with a d44. But it's your build so it's up to you man and plus many people have done the build and have been just fine. Good to see you got a high pinion axle!

 

Blah blah blah. Every single d30 thread all you hear is get a d44.
Its no stronger. Only difference is the r&p size. Rest is all the same.

Unless its a ford d44. In which case there's a lot more cost involved. Shortening, initial price, etc. Not worth it. Tons of people rocking locked 30's with 35's. Including locals that wheel local. So where I'm going to be wheeling, I'll be fine.

As for the carrier. I'll be leaving the new one open. With a selectable locker in the distant future.

 

why not find a waggy 44? narrower, almost on point with an expo 8.8 and some spacers. stronger, def wouldnt recommend a tj 44 because of the same chitty outters the 30 has.

and yea every thread like this has keyboard warriors recommending a 44... but guess what happens later in all of them, the good ones at least, they get 44s or 60s. :D

 

When they go bigger then 35's yes, they upgrade. As will I. But for a few years it will be on 35's and a 30 will be perfectly fine for that.

When it becomes a dedicated offroad toy, it will get 60's lol.


And if I could find a waggy 44 or EB 44 I would. But it was hard enough finding a 30 for under $300.

 

i keep forgetting that markets can be THAT different. here i might be able to find someone giving a 30 away lol. looking forward to seeing pics!

 

Yeah. Up here things are hard to come by for good prices like down south.

Going to get all the crap off it today hopefully. Some of the bolts are pretty rusted on there.

 

Started tearing parts off the axle. Working midnights so not a lot of time to wrench this week.

 

Tore some more down today. Steering components, brakes, rotors, sway bar. Also pressure washed it.

 

a stock dana 30 can handle 33 inch tires without issue

if you intend to use 35 inch tires , then you will need to upgrade the axle shafts to utilize larger u-joints

it is the u-joints and outer axle stub that is the weak link

do not forget ot order and install the WARN manual hub conversion kit

Spin Free Locking Hub Conversion Kit for Dana 30 TJ, XJ, YJ, 27 Spline, 5 x 4.5" - RRP-YAWU07

this article is a very good read if you take the time

The Jeep Dana 30

 

I'm not installing manual Hubs lol. The whole point of a 30 is cheap. Tossing 1500 bucks for manual hubs Minda destroys the logic.

 

^^haha my thoughts as i read that. i remember someone using a D30 on a ranger mentioning the same thing. did you get a non vacuum axle?

 

Yes its a non cad axle.
Best of the d30. High pinion non CAD. Has the larger u joints.

Hoping to get the rest tore down tomorrow. Shafts, knuckles, gears etc. So its just a bare/empty housing. Then I can spend the weekend cleaning it.

Then I'll have to find somewhere to stick it during winter to build it up. All new seals, bearings, gears etc.

 

it is your money , your decision

but bolting on 35 tires onto that axle without upgrading the axle shafts will keep resulting in snapped axle shafts