Built 30 vs a dana44

I have a 258 I-6, so not a whole lot of power. What I want to know ist the pros and cons. I am running 35-10.50-15 boggers, I have a locker in the 30 and am debating getting chrome molly axle shafts for it. other wise I am going to shorten a 44. I guess I would like to keep the 30 cause its easier and I already have the locker. Tell me the pros and cons. I dont want any go with the 44 answers, back it up please

[99grandtj]

Keep the 30. Plenty strong enough for the tires. If you have the money do the alloy shafts for the extra peice of mind. Spend the money on steering upgrades

[PavementPounder]

I wouldn't be worried about the D30 in general with the tires and 258. I agree with the above post - spend the money elsewhere. CJ D30 shafts are common and cheap. Just buy more.

[Renegade II]

I use to break ring and pinions and axles on my 30's, then I went to 44's and no problems.

PP is right on the shafts being cheap/common, I still have a stack of standard and wide track axles/stubs setting in the barn from the pre 44 days.

[yellowjeeperman]

There was a write up in some mag that shows you how to beef up ur D30 so its stronger and lighter than a D44. I think it was either Petersons or JP. 2 Years ago I believe. I Should Have it somewhere. I'll let you know if I can find it.

[Cooter]

Biggest issue will be the u-joint size- I run 35x14.50 Boggers and (35.5x10.8) Q78 bias Swampers on my locked TJ since '02, and haven't even had to replace the u-joints yet. The 297x u-joint in the later axles is the same as is run in the D44, and this is where most of the failures occur. I would say that if you are running the 260 u-joint, you may want to upgrade, but I am still doing OK on my Scrambler with a MoPar 360 and 34x9.50 with the smaller joint FWIW

BTW- I don't baby my TJ-

Took it out and destroyed the lock out on the Pass side:miff: But I think I know what the problem was, I will keep that to myself

[Square-D]

Originally Posted by trail junkie

Took it out and destroyed the lock out on the Pass side:miff: But I think I know what the problem was, I will keep that to myself

Not if I tell everybody

I actually got it in a challanging mud whole sat broke the driver side lockout and axle shaft, Gues I should have said my 258 isnt the average. Looks like I will be replacing the shaft with alloy ones, not sure about the lockouts.

[cornfed]

I see this in your future...




I did this with an open D30, 4.88s, 35x16x15 Boggers, 258 w/ "RV" cam, Clifford intake, dual headers, Superwinch 5-bolt hubs, and a 'glass body.... I also had a UJ failure on 36" SXs. At the time I was SUA, so I didn't want the cost and "hassle" of swapping a narrowed D44, so I plunked down the cash for Warn shafts. Ran 'em a few times, then added an Aussie locker and didn't have an issue.

[nick_n_ii]

JP was the mag that did the write up on building the D30, buy Alloy they have a 10 year no questions asked replacment plain, or I've heard Superior are lift time replacment...

[fabricator]

back when i had my cj, i was breaking the 260 u joints quite regulary with a v8. i ended up just boring out the axle shafts with a bridgeport to accept the 297 or newer 760x u joints. they are the same length across (cap to cap), just have a bigger diameter cap and cross = alot stronger. you can also run the scout outers(they already have the bigger u joint). just a cheaper alternative to aftermarket axle shafts. although the spline on the shaft will be the next to go.

I think I am going to have some shafts made with big enough ears to fit the 297s. At the moment I am puting back in the 260s (spicers), since I realised my old joints were drier that a popcorn fart I figure that is why it broke. If not I move on to what I said above.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by nick_n_ii

JP was the mag that did the write up on building the D30, buy Alloy they have a 10 year no questions asked replacment plain, or I've heard Superior are lift time replacment...

Only if it's not a joint failure due to wear.

[Grandman]

I run the same question as you . If you put after market shafts there is a question of IF the ring and pinion will take it . If you breaking shafts often id go to a 44 and after market shafts . your tire size is certainly pushing the shit out of a 30 shaft . There made for 31 " if i recall .

Style of driving and places you wheel come into play big time . If you seldom snap a shaft id same keep it . As for me i was breaking one or two per outing . Enough im going 44 .