DANA 30 CAD strength
 

I have given up looking for a (non CAD) HP Dana 30 with 3.73 gears for my XJ, they do not exist.
Re-gearing my existing D30 to 3.73 would be 800.00 minimum (300 gears/kit, 500 shop)
I have found a few 84-88 CAD Dana 30s with 3.73, $200.00

I will be running 31-32 inch tires, not going bigger on this XJ.
I would run a cable to the CAD fork, or set the sleeve in the engaged and leave it.
I cant see spending 200-300 "re-shafting" it.

Will the smaller "260" u-joints be an issue with 31" tires?
Is there any cheap way to upgrade the u joints on an older D30 ?

Slack

I wish i can tell you the strength but i can not.

I have the CAD D30, running 35 inch tires on 15 rim, 4.56 gears, but the shafts are not the original 3 piece set up. I did the CAD delete, the hardest part was finding the shafts especially since i have no been to a junkyard for such a long time. Luckily i have a really good friend that loves to go junkyard picking, he found a pair of shafts from a later model jeep. Shipped it to me, i replaced the u-joints, and replaced the 3 piece into a 2 piece. I have no complaints but then my jeep is more of a toy than a daily driver except when my other vehicle breaks down.

If you take one apart, you will find the shaft at the CAD is thicker and stronger than the rest of the shaft. Just shim the collar over and forget about it.

you could always look for a TJ front d30. they came with 3.73 option, and have the larger u-joints, and no CAD.
a tj axle will bolt right into your xj. you may have to use tj brake calipers/rotors and wheel hub units, depending on the year of your xj

The issue with TJ D30s is they are all low pinion. Not only does it reduce clearance and increase driveline angles, but they're also a much weaker gear set driving on the coast side of the gear vs the drive side.

Is your jeep an auto or manual? If it's an auto it will have 3.55 gears and regearing to 3.73 would be a complete waste of money in my opinion.

I found a D30, non CAD with 3.73s.
We are building a manual (5spd), so going from 3.07 to 3.73.
We picked up a 8.8 with LS and 3.73's, so matching that.
going from 3.07 to 3.73 is a 21% deeper gearing.
Going from stock tire (28.3") to a 31 tire (30.5") is an increase of 8%
So when we are all said and done, we will be 13% deeper geared with the larger tires.

What is the Dana 30 you found out of?

It was out of an 85 Cherokee "Wagoneer"

Probably a V6 with selecTrac and towing package. Nice find.