This isn't quite a build thread but may help someone from learning form my mistakes. On other forums looking for tips I hadn't seen anything about what I had experienced.

Just put a Spartan locker in my Dana 30 non-disconnect, everything was pretty much by the book except when it came to installing the second half of the driver. FYI- I did have to take the carrier out of the axle and remove the ring gear from the carrier. In my scenario 3.55 ring gear did not allow for the removal of the center pin.

The photo in the instructions supplied by the manufacturer show an installer putting the first driver half on the (driver side) of the carrier and then presumably the second driver half on the ring gear (passenger side). This does not work. Due to the space and the shape of the opening in the carrier you cannot get both halves installed in this manner. You have to install the ring gear half(passenger side) first then the driver side half. I wasted about 20 minutes in the garage and another hour on the computer to come up with a trial and error solution.

Did get a test drive in today and works as expected. Minimal ratcheting sound and normal on-road characteristics in 2WD. Locks front axle in 4WD, just as it is supposed to do. Hope this helps someone out.

 

I'm gonna be installing mine very soon, thanks for posting

 

I have one in my D30 with 4.10 gears..

I can't even tell it's there unless I turn super tight..

 

If you grind a couple mm off of one ring gear tooth, just at the corner. The pin slides right out without removing the carrier.

 

Is there a good way of doing this without getting metal particles all inside the housing? I'm gonna put in a lunchbox in my front end this summer.

 

Spray a whole can of brake-clean in there when you're done

 

my d30 was the same. 3:55 had to remove gear and also had to put pass side in first... lol

but it's a great mod and EASY!

 

Yea, just spray it out really well. Actually there is not much metal at all. once you get your expansion pin out. Push the main pin both ways. Usually one way only hits on one tooth. When you push the pin against the tooth you will see how much material to remove, and where at.

Its not bad at all and does not damage anything.

 

Hey everyone. Great input. I'm about to add the Spartan to my Dana 30. Always better to learn from someone's frustration. Tks. Question . If I may.. I was told that by using the Spartans v the reg lockers. When turning at a low speed it becomes difficult. Any input??
Chuck
So. Cal. O.C.
Ps just got Napier v2. Fenders . Almost installed

 

It will not change your steering at all while in 2wd, ifyou are making really tight turns(u turns) at slow speeds, you may hear a faint clicking, butit will not become harder to steer or anything like that. But in 4wd it will be harder to turn

 

Sorry to hear you had such trouble installing it.

But I have to say... I cant see how anyone installing one that runs into this issue, doesn't just swap sides first thing. Maybe its more of the mechanical aptitude, that dictates the ability to just see how it fits together? But its like a super easy generic big piece puzzle. If two pieces dont fit, swap them or try another :-)

 

I can't put puzzles together either.

 

mine was used and zero instructions. but it could only go in one way...