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Axle Decisions

Old 06-11-2013, 09:32 PM
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Not that I have the money to be doing this now..but its always crossing my mind. Right now im running 35s, on a stock d30 and a 29 spline 8.25..
Not really worried about the 8.25, but feel like the 30 is a weak link.

I ideally would like to go with waggy 44s, but none ever come up around me.
I have a rear dana 44 out of an IH Scout in my garage I could use..its open, 373s, pretty clean, bit narrow, but adapters/spacers would fix that..

Im going to most likely stay with 35s..but I want to be confident that my **** will hold up. I realize breakage is always a possibility..but Id like to try and minimize the chance. Dont want to go full width, and would prefer not to cut down something.
Should I just build the **** out of the stock axles? Go with a super 30 kit and go 30 spline? The c clips from the 8.25 scare me.. Im sure its not a big deal, but the 30 spline (or even 33 spline) 44 sounds nice.


What do you dudes think? I wheel rock, wet and dry.. Im not afraid to smoke the tires or bump it to get up something.
Old 06-11-2013, 09:50 PM
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You know my opinion on it. Build the 44 you already have and get extra shafts for the 30. If you must get chromos or rob a bank and get RCVs but that 30 will be fine. I never had any issues and Justin, 00XJ, has run stock D30s and beat the hell out of them on 35s for years. Yes he's broken a u joint or two but ask him where he gets them and you'll know why.
Old 06-11-2013, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by xjmarc
You know my opinion on it. Build the 44 you already have and get extra shafts for the 30. If you must get chromos or rob a bank and get RCVs but that 30 will be fine. I never had any issues and Justin, 00XJ, has run stock D30s and beat the hell out of them on 35s for years. Yes he's broken a u joint or two but ask him where he gets them and you'll know why.
So you would spend the money to build the 44 over building the 825?
Old 06-11-2013, 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Xj88
Not that I have the money to be doing this now..but its always crossing my mind. Right now im running 35s, on a stock d30 and a 29 spline 8.25..
Not really worried about the 8.25, but feel like the 30 is a weak link.

I ideally would like to go with waggy 44s, but none ever come up around me.
I have a rear dana 44 out of an IH Scout in my garage I could use..its open, 373s, pretty clean, bit narrow, but adapters/spacers would fix that..

Im going to most likely stay with 35s..but I want to be confident that my **** will hold up. I realize breakage is always a possibility..but Id like to try and minimize the chance. Dont want to go full width, and would prefer not to cut down something.
Should I just build the **** out of the stock axles? Go with a super 30 kit and go 30 spline? The c clips from the 8.25 scare me.. Im sure its not a big deal, but the 30 spline (or even 33 spline) 44 sounds nice.

What do you dudes think? I wheel rock, wet and dry.. Im not afraid to smoke the tires or bump it to get up something.
Id just build the **** outta your axles. Im running 36x12.50s on bone stock axles granted I have almost no power but I dont care it works for me. The 30 spline kit I would only suggest if you are gonna run 39s or bigger. Throw some 4.88s in and lockers and youll be set to go. Just be sure to carrier spare shafts just in case the day comes where you must do a trail side repair. No matter what axle or what kit you put in you will always have something break its Murphy's Law.
Old 06-11-2013, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Xj88
So you would spend the money to build the 44 over building the 825?
Yes. I'm just not a fan of c-clip axles. As far as 30 spline front I wouldn't bother. Better to stay with something people on the trail will have parts for and not something that has to be ordered if/when you break.
Old 06-12-2013, 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Slim357
Id just build the **** outta your axles. Im running 36x12.50s on bone stock axles granted I have almost no power but I dont care it works for me. The 30 spline kit I would only suggest if you are gonna run 39s or bigger. Throw some 4.88s in and lockers and youll be set to go. Just be sure to carrier spare shafts just in case the day comes where you must do a trail side repair. No matter what axle or what kit you put in you will always have something break its Murphy's Law.
the hell are you even talking about




xj88
the more I research and consume the more I'm seeing that for 35" tires just keep your stock axles. anything bigger just step up to a 60 front. it makes the most sense even though I don't like the idea. d44's are so appealing. but I don't think I'll ever go that route.

I'm shocked at my d30. I used to wheel it like it was made of glass now I just wheel it. but no bouncing, no binding tires in crevices or under ledges. just know when to let off and I'm finding the things surrounding the d30 are failing, not internals. like axle brackets, sucky brakes, and sucky steering. I've got a built 30 of accumulated craigslist parts. I'll wheel it happily for probably another year. but after this it's 1 tons and 37's.

keep researching and you'll eventually come to your own conclusions. wish there was a way to put you in contact with my bud Mike he, like many others, is ditching his waggys for 1 tons http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/3845287410.html
Old 06-12-2013, 01:02 AM
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as for 30 spline or 33 spline kits on stock axles. nah. I'd rather be able to break and swap in junk yard spares than worry about having to carry custom spares everywhere. and like I said in another thread, if you're breaking 27 spline chromos consistently it's definitely time to step up to a bigger axle
Old 06-12-2013, 07:42 AM
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So I guess ill find a HP30 and build it. I dont want to dump $ into my LP.
Still unsure what to do with the rear. I guess as I search for a decent hp30 if a set of waggy 44s come up first ill buy them.
Old 06-12-2013, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Slim357
Id just build the **** outta your axles. Im running 36x12.50s on bone stock axles granted I have almost no power but I dont care it works for me. The 30 spline kit I would only suggest if you are gonna run 39s or bigger. Throw some 4.88s in and lockers and youll be set to go. Just be sure to carrier spare shafts just in case the day comes where you must do a trail side repair. No matter what axle or what kit you put in you will always have something break its Murphy's Law.
lol! You'd run 39's on a Dana 30?

Originally Posted by Xj88
So I guess ill find a HP30 and build it. I dont want to dump $ into my LP.
Still unsure what to do with the rear. I guess as I search for a decent hp30 if a set of waggy 44s come up first ill buy them.
...you're killing me. Do you want me to find you a Wagoneer 44?

You're going to be wasting money any other way, IMO. I've been there, done that.

Dude still has that built 44 with your name on it.

(Locked 5.38. Warn hubs. Yukon chromos. Passenger Reid Racing knuckle. High steer. ) He'd take 800 for it.

Last edited by Lowrange2; 06-12-2013 at 08:31 AM.
Old 06-12-2013, 11:05 AM
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I would say build the 30, and the 44 since you already have it. Or you could just keep the 8.25. I am currently running 35/12.5 mt/r kevlars and my axles are a hp d30 with aussie locker and usa standard chromos. And an 8.25(29 spline) with a spartan. I haven't broken anything axle wise on this setup.
Old 06-12-2013, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by lowrange2
lol! You'd run 39's on a Dana 30?



...you're killing me. Do you want me to find you a Wagoneer 44?

You're going to be wasting money any other way, IMO. I've been there, done that.

Dude still has that built 44 with your name on it.

(Locked 5.38. Warn hubs. Yukon chromos. Passenger Reid Racing knuckle. High steer. ) He'd take 800 for it.

Either find me a set of waggy 44s cheap..or something.

Id buy that 44 from dude if I had the $ right now.
Old 06-12-2013, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by lowrange2

lol! You'd run 39's on a Dana 30?

...you're killing me. Do you want me to find you a Wagoneer 44?

You're going to be wasting money any other way, IMO. I've been there, done that.

Dude still has that built 44 with your name on it.

(Locked 5.38. Warn hubs. Yukon chromos. Passenger Reid Racing knuckle. High steer. ) He'd take 800 for it.
On a big time budget ya I would lol but 36" or smaller Ill run the D30 all day until I can afford a waggy 44 swap plus I gotta find one as well. Just hate to think Id have to buy another locker tho
Old 06-12-2013, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Slim357
On a big time budget ya I would lol but 36" or smaller Ill run the D30 all day until I can afford a waggy 44 swap plus I gotta find one as well. Just hate to think Id have to buy another locker tho
I wouldn't run 39's on a built 44...
Old 06-12-2013, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lowrange2

I wouldn't run 39's on a built 44...
Whys that? And I dont plan on anything bigger then 36"s right now but then again never thought Id go bigger then 33"s lol
Old 06-12-2013, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Slim357
Whys that? And I dont plan on anything bigger then 36"s right now but then again never thought Id go bigger then 33"s lol
you're trippin. 1. you cant gear a 30 deep enough to make 39's bearable. 2. even if you did gear it to 4.88 it would shatter ring gears (local guy I know has gone through 3 rings now.. only on 36's). 3 dana 44 and a dana 30 share the same size ujoint. not strong. 4. your brakes will never be strong enough on either axle

need I continue?

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