nick_n_ii

All D30's are 27 spline unless they have the upgrade alloys in them.. And a note on the USA Alloy shafts there as close to a d44 shaft you can get with out having a D44. Shaft dia. that is. But all in all it's a toss up, when it comes to Alloys it's almost cheaper to upgrade to a D44 complete axle than do D30 alloy's.

SeriousOffroad

You're kidding..right? Care to breakdown the cost of a front D44 swap?

SeriousOffroad

Guess not.

Assuming you find a Waggy D44 for around $150 at a boneyard, it won’t be set up for coils or upper and lower control arms, or a trac-bar mount that will work with stock XJ steering. The Currie bracket kit is gonna set ya back $400. So now you’ve got an axle and the brackets….got a welder? If yes, great. If not, figure another $200 for the welding…if the guy knows how to properly locate all of the pieces.

So now we have an axle that’s ready to get bolted in. What are you going to do about the different bolt pattern? Re-drill or buy 2 new wheels?

Wonder what the condition of those junkyard brakes are? Better plan on all new parts so you don’t run over a bunch of nuns and orphans.

Oops! Almost forgot about the new gears to match your rear axle. $200 for a set of new gears and $200-$300 to have them installed if you can’t DIY.

How about a High Pinion Dana44? Same as above and you're still gonna have to narrow it unless you're going to run fullwidth.... and then you're going to need a matching fullwidth rear axle.

Chaching! $$$$$$$$$

A set of Alloy shafts can be had for around $300 or less if you spend some time shopping.

nick_n_ii

There's lots of ways to go, average D44 from waggy is $150 - $200, gears and setup $200-$350, Bracket kit from TnT is like $300(max) So either way your in the ball park of the same cost.

The bigger question is, Do you see your self going bigger in the years to come? Use that as a deciding factor. Alot depends on if you are in a area with alot of D44 available. If you have hook ups. For me in my area a D44 swap is cheaper than a Alloy upgrade. For others it may not be.

Most all Alloy kits I've see are from $900 to $1200 for shafts, More if you upgrade splines cause of new carrier and gear re-setup. That's what I base my opinion on.

SeriousOffroad

http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddet...ALLOYUSA-12132
$475.
Still beats your D44 option.

nick_n_ii

Your missing the point that's with out the locker, or the resetting of gears. So that puts you in the $1200 range.


Like I said before to each there own. What works for me and my pocket book might not work for you and yours and visa versa.. We all have connections in different area's..

SeriousOffroad

In addition to bad math, you're totallly missing the point of the OP. Alloy shafts for a D30...remember. Making a comment about upgrading to a d44 for nearly the same cost as pair of alloy shafts is simply foolish.

The original post wasn't about anything more than recommendations for alloy shafts for a Dana30.

nick_n_ii

Yes he did ask about Alloys so I've moved this part of the topic into it's own thread.

And no sir there is nothing wrong with my math.

The debate of Alloy or upgrade has been talked about on may forums and it's always 2 sided with no real end.

Dollar for Dollar they are real close in cost. No mater how you look at it..

nick_n_ii

And as a reference for the TnT truss and CA mounts.. http://www.tntcustoms.com/page.asp?pageid=126



Remember I'm not trying to say your wrong just that there are many different way of doing this and if you look long enough the cost is real close..

XJ Stryker

Ladies calm down ya'll both are making some great points.