after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
with what, and at what cost and difficulty?

i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
running:
93 yj 4.0 3spd
31x10.5 BFG MT's
3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)


current plans:
a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
drop pitman arm
adjustable track bars
locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
cable operated front axle engagement
winch
maybe upgrade to 33"s??

is this a pipe dream or what?
--
Ben Jerew
ASE Master Technician
New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
Amateur Off-Roader

The Dana 30 is actually not a bad axle until you get into serious hard-core
stuff where you're running 37" or bigger. Built with decent hardened
aftermarket axle shafts like from Superior Axle or Warn, a Dana 30 does well
with 35" tires and serious wheeling. So that axle can likely stay in place,
though replacing that two-piece axle on the passenger-side with a one-piece
axle that also gets rid of the problematic disconnect system is a good idea.

For most wheeling, a Dana 35c is "adequate".... but if you wheel seriously
and test yourself and the Jeep with bigger than stock tires and lockers, the
Dana 35c is clearly not strong enough, mainly the axle shafts are too small
and they break. A Dana 44 upgrade is the next bigger axle and works well
for tires up to around the 37" size, though really tough wheeling requires
its axle shafts be upgraded with hardened axles from Superior Axle. Dana
44 axles are good because they're common and inexpensive, and can be a
relatively easy upgrade.

Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

"MudPuppy1976 <"moc.rr.pacyn"@67lamina" <--BACKWARDS> wrote in message
news:MMHjb.34822$Hs.6465@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> after hearing descriptions of terror and fright regarding the dana 30
> and 35 axles, i'm wondering what would warrant me replacing them, and
> with what, and at what cost and difficulty?
>
> i am not a full time off-roader, but i do put my vehicle to the test, at
> least i think i do (probably being stupid than anything else). currently
> running:
> 93 yj 4.0 3spd
> 31x10.5 BFG MT's
> 3" shackle lift (yeah, i know, you don't have to say anything)
>
>
> current plans:
> a real 3" or 4" suspension lift (something from black diamond or similar)
> drop pitman arm
> adjustable track bars
> locking diff's (aussie locker or traklox)
> cable operated front axle engagement
> winch
> maybe upgrade to 33"s??
>
> is this a pipe dream or what?
> --
> Ben Jerew
> ASE Master Technician
> New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
> Amateur Off-Roader
>

> Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.

Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.

Mike

But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut axle in
the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the rear.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:A%Jjb.35377$Hs.14811@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a
> > bit more to do first before they can be installed.... both are
> > stronger than the Dana 44 but the Dana 44 is more than
> > strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
>
> Another option for the rear is a reverse cut Dana 60. The advantage,
> other than the strength, is that the pinion in on top of the axle, not the
> bottom. This helps with the driveshaft angles in lifted applications.
>
> Mike
>
>

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> The Dana 30 is actually not a bad axle until you get into serious hard-core
> stuff where you're running 37" or bigger. Built with decent hardened
> aftermarket axle shafts like from Superior Axle or Warn, a Dana 30 does well
> with 35" tires and serious wheeling. So that axle can likely stay in place,
> though replacing that two-piece axle on the passenger-side with a one-piece
> axle that also gets rid of the problematic disconnect system is a good idea.
>
> For most wheeling, a Dana 35c is "adequate".... but if you wheel seriously
> and test yourself and the Jeep with bigger than stock tires and lockers, the
> Dana 35c is clearly not strong enough, mainly the axle shafts are too small
> and they break. A Dana 44 upgrade is the next bigger axle and works well
> for tires up to around the 37" size, though really tough wheeling requires
> its axle shafts be upgraded with hardened axles from Superior Axle. Dana
> 44 axles are good because they're common and inexpensive, and can be a
> relatively easy upgrade.
>
> Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
> first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
> but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
>
> Jerry
>
ok, so really, if i install lockers in my 35 and 35c, even going with
33" tires i'd still be pretty safe? like i said, i'm not doing this full
time, just weekend warrior type stuff.

--
Ben Jerew
ASE Master Technician
New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
Amateur Off-Roader

[snip]
> > Other axles like a Ford 8.8 or 9" are good too but have a bit more to do
> > first before they can be installed.... both are stronger than the Dana 44
> > but the Dana 44 is more than strong enough for 99% of offroading needs.
> >
> > Jerry
> >
> ok, so really, if i install lockers in my 35 and 35c, even going with
> 33" tires i'd still be pretty safe? like i said, i'm not doing this full
> time, just weekend warrior type stuff.

Take in mind that lockers will put real strain on your axles. without
lockers only the torque that is requires to spin ONE wheel is on the
axle. With locker the torque required to spin BOTH wheels tortures the
axles. Add in super grippy offroad tires and you are adding a LOT
motr strain on those axles and diffs .... somthing to take in mind ..

Make sure you build your jeep wisely ... just makeing one part bigger
will cause others to break ... I.e. Huge tires are nice but they need
strong axles stronger brakes and stronger steering. Otherwise these
things will give up

To the locker you need to decide if you can life with a detroit type
which you cant disengage ... they are nice and cheap but suck
downhills off camber (snow) as they will push you seidways...

Other options are Oxlocker (IMO the best), and I think detroit makes a
new electric locker ..

I have an ARB in my 4Runner. Although the locker is great the air
system certainly isnt... Only after ALL the airlines from the locker
up were custom did it work ... and the ARB compressor still leaks (it
will be welded soon). Do NOT get the ARB compressor with the ARB
locker ... If you want more info .. email me ...

Happy wheeling

matt

> But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut
> axle in the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the
rear.

True... The one article I remember reading on the subject mentioned
that a reverse-cut Dana 60 was similar to a regular Dana 44.....

Mike

"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:tV4kb.30197$Sc7.4374@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut
> > axle in the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the
> rear.
>
> True... The one article I remember reading on the subject mentioned
> that a reverse-cut Dana 60 was similar to a regular Dana 44.....

Then why bother with a D60 since a D44 offers greater ground clearance?

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

> > > But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse
> > > cut axle in the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but
> > > not in the rear.
> >
> > True... The one article I remember reading on the subject
> > mentioned that a reverse-cut Dana 60 was similar to a regular
> Dana 44.....
>
> Then why bother with a D60 since a D44 offers greater ground clearance?

Because the reverse cut 60 puts the pinion on top.... Reducing the
driveshaft angle compared to a regular setup.

Mike

Jerry's got a point. I installed a standard D60 a few years ago, right
before all these custom-center section 60's came on the market. It lost me a
great deal of clearance at the pumpkin, however it'll take something
extraordinary to break it.

IMHO, if you plan to stay with the I6 forever, the D44 or 9" is probably
strong enough for anything you can throw at it....but, it's always nice to
have some reserve!

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:fy7kb.86660$gv5.31228@fed1read05...
>
> "Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:tV4kb.30197$Sc7.4374@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> > > But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut
> > > axle in the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the
> > rear.
> >
> > True... The one article I remember reading on the subject mentioned
> > that a reverse-cut Dana 60 was similar to a regular Dana 44.....
>
> Then why bother with a D60 since a D44 offers greater ground clearance?
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
>
>

we'll see what the trail throws at me. for now i'm sticking with the
I6. if somehow i strike oil or win money, then maybe i'll start going
crazy with the jeep, heheheh.

thanks for all the info guys. happy wheeling

Gerald G. McGeorge wrote:
> Jerry's got a point. I installed a standard D60 a few years ago, right
> before all these custom-center section 60's came on the market. It lost me a
> great deal of clearance at the pumpkin, however it'll take something
> extraordinary to break it.
>
> IMHO, if you plan to stay with the I6 forever, the D44 or 9" is probably
> strong enough for anything you can throw at it....but, it's always nice to
> have some reserve!
>
> "Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
> news:fy7kb.86660$gv5.31228@fed1read05...
>
>>"Mike Borkhuis" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
>>news:tV4kb.30197$Sc7.4374@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>
>>>>But a reverse cut in the rear is not as strong as a non-reverse cut
>>>>axle in the rear. A reverse-cut is stronger up front, but not in the
>>>
>>>rear.
>>>
>>> True... The one article I remember reading on the subject mentioned
>>>that a reverse-cut Dana 60 was similar to a regular Dana 44.....
>>
>>Then why bother with a D60 since a D44 offers greater ground clearance?
>>
>>Jerry


--
Ben Jerew
ASE Master Technician
New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
Amateur Off-Roader