MudPuppy1976

after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
with what, and at what cost and difficulty?

i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
running:
93 yj 4.0 3spd
31x10.5 BFG MT's
3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)


current plans:
a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
drop pitman arm
adjustable track bars
locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
cable operated front axle engagement
winch
maybe upgrade to 33"s??

is this a pipe dream or what?
--
Ben Jerew
ASE Master Technician
New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
Amateur Off-Roader

Jerry Bransford

The Dana 30 is actually not a bad axle until you get into serious hard-core
stuff where you're running 37" or bigger. Built with decent hardened
aftermarket axle shafts like from Superior Axle or Warn, a Dana 30 does well
with 35" tires and serious wheeling. So that axle can likely stay in place,
though replacing that two-piece axle on the passenger-side with a one-piece
axle that also gets rid of the problematic disconnect system is a good idea.

For most wheeling, a Dana 35c is "adequate".... but if you wheel seriously
and test yourself and the Jeep with bigger than stock tires and lockers, the
Dana 35c is clearly not strong enough, mainly the axle shafts are too small
and they break. A Dana 44 upgrade is the next bigger axle and works well
for tires up to around the 37" size, though really tough wheeling requires
its axle shafts be upgraded with hardened axles from Superior Axle. Dana
44 axles are good because they're common and inexpensive, and can be a
relatively easy upgrade.

Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"MudPuppy1976 <"moc.rr.pacyn"@67lamina" <--BACKWARDS> wrote in message
news:MMHjb.34822$Hs.6465@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
> and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
> with what, and at what cost and difficulty?
>
> i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
> least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
> running:
> 93 yj 4.0 3spd
> 31x10.5 BFG MT's
> 3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)
>
>
> current plans:
> a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
> drop pitman arm
> adjustable track bars
> locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
> cable operated front axle engagement
> winch
> maybe upgrade to 33"s??
>
> is this a pipe dream or what?
> --
> Ben Jerew
> ASE Master Technician
> New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
> Amateur Off-Roader
>

Jerry Bransford

The Dana 30 is actually not a bad axle until you get into serious hard-core
stuff where you're running 37" or bigger. Built with decent hardened
aftermarket axle shafts like from Superior Axle or Warn, a Dana 30 does well
with 35" tires and serious wheeling. So that axle can likely stay in place,
though replacing that two-piece axle on the passenger-side with a one-piece
axle that also gets rid of the problematic disconnect system is a good idea.

For most wheeling, a Dana 35c is "adequate".... but if you wheel seriously
and test yourself and the Jeep with bigger than stock tires and lockers, the
Dana 35c is clearly not strong enough, mainly the axle shafts are too small
and they break. A Dana 44 upgrade is the next bigger axle and works well
for tires up to around the 37" size, though really tough wheeling requires
its axle shafts be upgraded with hardened axles from Superior Axle. Dana
44 axles are good because they're common and inexpensive, and can be a
relatively easy upgrade.

Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"MudPuppy1976 <"moc.rr.pacyn"@67lamina" <--BACKWARDS> wrote in message
news:MMHjb.34822$Hs.6465@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
> and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
> with what, and at what cost and difficulty?
>
> i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
> least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
> running:
> 93 yj 4.0 3spd
> 31x10.5 BFG MT's
> 3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)
>
>
> current plans:
> a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
> drop pitman arm
> adjustable track bars
> locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
> cable operated front axle engagement
> winch
> maybe upgrade to 33"s??
>
> is this a pipe dream or what?
> --
> Ben Jerew
> ASE Master Technician
> New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
> Amateur Off-Roader
>

Jerry Bransford

The Dana 30 is actually not a bad axle until you get into serious hard-core
stuff where you're running 37" or bigger. Built with decent hardened
aftermarket axle shafts like from Superior Axle or Warn, a Dana 30 does well
with 35" tires and serious wheeling. So that axle can likely stay in place,
though replacing that two-piece axle on the passenger-side with a one-piece
axle that also gets rid of the problematic disconnect system is a good idea.

For most wheeling, a Dana 35c is "adequate".... but if you wheel seriously
and test yourself and the Jeep with bigger than stock tires and lockers, the
Dana 35c is clearly not strong enough, mainly the axle shafts are too small
and they break. A Dana 44 upgrade is the next bigger axle and works well
for tires up to around the 37" size, though really tough wheeling requires
its axle shafts be upgraded with hardened axles from Superior Axle. Dana
44 axles are good because they're common and inexpensive, and can be a
relatively easy upgrade.

Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"MudPuppy1976 <"moc.rr.pacyn"@67lamina" <--BACKWARDS> wrote in message
news:MMHjb.34822$Hs.6465@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
> and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
> with what, and at what cost and difficulty?
>
> i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
> least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
> running:
> 93 yj 4.0 3spd
> 31x10.5 BFG MT's
> 3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)
>
>
> current plans:
> a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
> drop pitman arm
> adjustable track bars
> locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
> cable operated front axle engagement
> winch
> maybe upgrade to 33"s??
>
> is this a pipe dream or what?
> --
> Ben Jerew
> ASE Master Technician
> New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
> Amateur Off-Roader
>

Mike Borkhuis

> Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.

Mike

Mike Borkhuis

> Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.

Mike

Mike Borkhuis

> Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.

Mike

Jerry Bransford

But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut axle in
the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the rear.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:A%Jjb.35377$Hs.14811@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> > bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> > stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> > strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
>
> Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
> other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
> bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.
>
> Mike
>
>

Jerry Bransford

But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut axle in
the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the rear.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:A%Jjb.35377$Hs.14811@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> > bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> > stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> > strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
>
> Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
> other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
> bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.
>
> Mike
>
>

Jerry Bransford

But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut axle in
the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the rear.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:A%Jjb.35377$Hs.14811@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> > bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> > stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> > strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
>
> Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
> other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
> bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.
>
> Mike
>
>