im sure this question has been asked 100 times but im at the point where i need to decide to upgrade my dana 30 or just replace it altogether with something stronger...1 tons?lol. im by no means rich and with the christmas season + upcoming birthdays, plus college funds, other projects and gas im a little strecthed for money.. arnt we all? im currently working on a 6.5-7 inch lift and id like to get my hands on some nice new 33/13.50 ltbs or tsls. oh its an my 88 limited, 4.0 auto yada yada yada

so chromoly axle shafts? where howmuch and how long till they break?
a locker would be great, i dont think i can afford an arb so maybe a lockright or something?
i was thinking that if i go for a locker i would like to go to 4.56 but back to the $ issue.

also worth mentioning i still have a d35 in the rear. im not wasing any money on it but what are your recomendationd for replacements? a chrysler 8.25 is prolly the cheapest right? ill prolly make a build thread if i can remember to take a few pictures lol. thanks for the help

 

you would be better off putting money into a rear......either a ford 8.8 or a c8.25 out of 97-2001 (29 spline) and a locker in the back...

 

x2,rear ends are under more stress and need more attention

 

I have to ask you a couple of questions to and answer yours.

Are you absolutely sure that you have a D35 in the rear and not D44? (sorry i have to ask, D44 rear came in 87-89)

What dana 30 do you have? LP or HP, Disco or non-disco?

 

they had dana35's then the dana 44 was with the tow package

 

ok sorry i forgot to mention that both axle shafts are broken at the ujoints and its up in the air ready to be removed for new springs and CAD brackets. i broke the passenger side climbing a rock at my house and the second has a crack i just noticed 30 min ago. yeah its a 35 out back. its not a disco, but im not sure if its an hp or lp i thought hps were in later models? how can i tell?

 

Does the pinion gear come out above the center line or below?

Above HP

below LP

 

If you have a HP go to the junk yard and pull some front axle shafts from a 99 and up hp d30. These are a little stronger then upgrade the u-joints to 760's. Weld the u-joint caps in place and u should be fine on 33's unlocked.

Usually when the shaft breaks at the u-joint ears it is because the u-joint caps came loss and then the ears on the outer shaft and the ears on the inner shaft hit each other and break or bend.

 

ok well it appears to be an hp then. as far as the rear eng goes i think i might start work on a d60, 9inch, 12 or 14 bolt. muy friend has a whole bunch ofaxles and old trucks with big ol axles on them sitting around his house so i can prolly get one for free. would it be worth it to look for a front axle as well. the only reason i ask is because i can fabricate well and would like a little insurance that im not going to twist axles and break stuff over and over. if i were to go with a new rear how much about would you think it would cost to have the axle shafts cut and re splined? i can mod the housing myself. lets just say i could get any sxle combination i wanted, what would be a good choice? at 6.5-7 in lift i can and will end up with 35s or larger at some piont. and my area is full of harsh terain and i guess im not very easy on the go pedal. sorry to be such a pain with all my questions. thanks for all the help. just to get it going again i guess i will get some jy shafts and keep it easy.

 

Why would you want to use YJ axles shafts for?


Don't forget that if you change your rear axle you will have to re-gear and wheel bolt pattern will have to be a concern. There are strong axles out there that you do not have to cut down or re-gear. Some of the old chargers came with Dana 60's with the right wheel bolt pattern and 3.55 gears.

Do some research on here and Pirate4x4 and NAXJA.org etc...

 

The ford 8.8 out of the explorer is a great swap but is still a c clip axle so make sure to find one with disc breaks, that way if you break a shaft you can still limp of the trail.

 

i ment junk yard shafts sorry. i dont thing thers any 8.8s at my buddys house but ill look again. theres a scout but i hater to take its axles and im not even sure what they are i just gigure thy are the right width. ive been reading alot of builds and saw alot of 1 ton swaps and just figred id do it once and be done. plus if i get a corp 14b with 4.10s or something i can just regear the front. this isnt exactly a DD but will see street time, ive got some friends withs little cars perfect to test my flex on lol. if i do keep the front d30 i would like to upgrade to cromoly and a locker(rear will get locked too- just not wasting my time on the 35). what are the good brands and prices??

 

Dana 30 is more than enough.

Replace your Dana 35 with a C8.25 29 spline and dont worry about either axle until you're over 35s.

 

scout will be 44s front rear...good find.. i raped a little a bronco for my 44/9in combo also a great setup if you can find it. i'm not a huge fan of full widths but the 14bff is king of the tons paired with a 60 up front

 

X2