Hey guys. As some of you may know, I have been searching for a HP D30 for almost 8 weeks now. I have had no luck with anything local besides a few that have popped up for around $700. Nothing at the local pick-a-parts, nothing at wrecking yards, nothing on CL or even Ebay. I have reached out to some wrecking yards that are out of state and have not found one willing to ship. At this point I am getting desperate. After doing some searching, it looks like a D30 out of a TJ or GC is the same as a 2000+ XJ. Yes, I know, that means low pinion. I can find plenty of those D30s for cheap and locally. So here are my options as of now.

1 - Should I just get one and deal with the LP for now? In the future, I am going to regear and install my Truetrac. So that would leave me some time to find a HP30, swap in the carrier and gears to that, and swap out the axle when the time comes.

2 - Do I keep waiting and hoping I can find a HP30 for a decent price?

I would really like to start driving my Jeep and this is all that is holding me up. So any input from you guys would be great. Thanks

 

$700 for a dana 30?? I hate buying things twice so I vote option 2....have you looked on craigslist in various nearby cities and maybe even your neighboring states?

 

Yes $700... a bit overkill. I am trying to keep it under $500 which is still on the high side for a D30. But thats how things go out here. I have looked on CL up to about a 2 hour drive away in every direction. Nothing. There are a few that have had a truss installed but I would not trust someone elses work. Easy to warp those things. I have not searched any further out then that for a reason. I dont think the axle will fit in the back of my Juke and I really havent put enough miles on the Jeep to feel comfortable driving it that far. I dont mind buying twice if it means I can actually use the Jeep. Plus I can always sell the LP if I get one. Think of it like long term renting haha.

 

Also, keep in mind that TJ and ZJ D30's are typically 3.73. Not 3.55.

The only other difference between those axles are that there's caster adjustment on the LCA mount on the axle rather than on the frame side. That's not an issue when swapping into an XJ. It just means there's more adjustment for you.

 

I have a D30 out of a '93 (pretty sure that's in the HP era) that I'd be willing to ship if you cover the cost plus a couple bucks. Catch is it's got nothing, gears are gone, axle shafts, steering knuckles, you name it it's gone except the stock cover still got that. If your interested PM me and we can talk.

 

I am fine with different gears. I havent swapped in the ones I got from you because of this. Waiting to see what front ratio I get before slapping in the 3.55s. If I end up with 3.73s, I would actually be happy about that. Then I could throw the Truetrac in and leave those gears in until I go bigger tires.

 

Thank you for the offer. I will keep it in mind. There are a few bare housings locally for cheap. Just not sure how much it would cost to make it complete again.

 

I understand eventually I'll scrap it once the rest of my parts jeep is sold off. Don't really expect anyone to buy a bare housing but I figured I throw it out there just in case.

Just remembered it's also got the ball joints if that makes a difference lol.

 

Did you do a search in?

http://car-part.com/

It helped me find my housing a couple of years ago. Ended it up paying around $400.

 

Yep. Most of the places either didnt have what was listed online or werent willing to ship.

 

Well guys, I pulled the trigger on an axle. Not the best deal but at least I have one. Its out of a 98 GC with 3.73s. At least this way I can pop the Truetrac in it and only have to regear the rear. I will be more then happy sticking with the 3.73s for the life of the 31s. Thanks for all your help.

 

If you want to drive a few hours I know of multiple.


Edit: just saw your last post.

 

Thanks for the offer. I will end up picking up a HP D30 in the future when I go 3-link. Then I can clone your whole front setup!

 

Let me know, ill source one for you if need be.

Or by that time I may be ready to throw some wontons under my jeep and ready to sell my axles.

 

Now I like that idea a whole lot better! You can throw the 3 link and steering in with it....