mikeyjeod

Im going to upgrade my dana 30 to 30 spline chromo shafts. I am looking for people who have run the 30inner/27outer and the 30inner/30outer.
If you are running 35's did you do any brake upgrades?

thanks much

Lowrange2

I'm sure you've heard this about 10 times already but... why are wanting to dump this much money in a Dana 30? I assume you're referring to purchasing the ARB 30/30 kit? For the money that costs you could be building a badass Dana 44.

Just sayin.

I have no experience with running any 30 spline stuff in a Dana 30.

mikeyjeod

Im going with the eaton e locker 30 spline. Dont really wanna get into the beefed up 30 vs 44 debate. Im in favor of the dana 30 hp so i will be beefing that little guy up. Thanks for the info

Lowrange2

That's fine if you're set to build a 30 then go for it. I built a 30 to the max my first go-around as well. Wished I never had but I did.

What are you wanting to know about the 30 spline parts?

Brake upgrades, I've done that. What year is your Jeep? If it's Pre-95 then I'd definitely suggest that you upgrade to the dual diaphragm brake booster. I run a WJ booster. Major difference. If it's newer than that then it's not going to do you much good. Your avatar looks like a late model so probably so.

Since you're spending money on the 30 (and it appears that you have a late model) you might as well do the WJ conversion to get the dual piston brake calipers and higher steering. Either that or go with some Teraflex hi-steer Dana 30 knuckles.

A truss and a decent cover is a must but I'm sure you already knew that.

mikeyjeod

did you go with 30 spline outers?
i already have he currie 1 ton steering and avalanche engineering rock ring just going to build everything else now.
I dd this rig 70 miles to work everyday so fuel cost comes into play, one of the reasons for keeping the 30

PocketsEmpty

How does your axle type matter in regards to fuel mileage? That the D44 is heavier? Remember, you're basically driving a big steel box around. Building a 30 instead of a 44 wouldn't change that.

But, a D44 isn't for everyone. I wouldn't be building one because I don't want to go full size. I haven't heard of many people running the 30 spline kits for the 30, I think mostly because it's overkill. If you stick with standard chromo shafts, I think they will do you just fine, plus you can use junkyard spares if one of them were to break. If you're really wheeling THAT hard, why on earth would you DD it anyways?

Lowrange2

No, I didn't run 30 spline outers, or inners. IMO, the weak part of the Dana 30 is the R&P. I've broken several R&Ps and only 2 shafts. (OEM Spline Yukon Chromo shafts with 760 joints.) This is more than enough for your typical DD/Wheeler.

By going with a full case locker, trussing the housing and adding a decent cover then you'll get rid of most of that deflection but it's still not going to be invincible. I wouldn't be worried too much about outers before I made sure the R&P wasn't going to explode.

What do rock rings have to do with the axle shafts? lol

What does fuel economy have to do with keeping a Dana 30? My built 44 drives and handles better than my beat up 30 that I had. Plus, with a 44 you can unlock the hubs and save a mpg or two. My Jeep get's right at the exact same ****ty mileage before and after the 44.

But, since you drive this thing everyday I'm going to assume you don't beat on it too awful hard.

I'm not trying to convince you to build a 44. I'm trying to convince you not to dump $3,000 into a Dana 30.

I know I wish I'd listened when everyone told me not to dump loads of money into a Dana 30.

mikeyjeod

its more like 2k to build the dana 30 and 2700 for a tj from g2 build to the same specs. hmmm.....

McCaffrey

From what I've seen it's always the U-joints and/or ears that go first. Would going to a 30/30 also include larger U-joint and ears?

94XjSport94

Not a G2 44.

Lowrange2

I don't understand why you're against going with a stronger axle from the get go? Do you already have a bunch of cash invested in this one?

No.

93XJLI

Unless you are blowing D30 **** up every weekend, you don't need 30 spline stuff. And if you are breaking that often, you need a larger axle anyway.

Lowrange2

Thank you. Now, why couldn't I manage to sum that up in one sentence like that?

Atmos

another vote for 30 spline D30 being a useless waste. if you're breaking 27 spline chromos it's time to re-evaluate your tire size or learn how to drive

94XjSport94

Vote cast for not 30 spline stuff.

Another downside is then you have to find 30 spline replacement shafts to carry, those aren't a cheap.