JoshC's D30 SFA by CRLCustoms.com

Well, i'm going to go ahead and start a thread so i can get some information and some more ideas from everyone on here. I bought a Dana 30 off of a wrecked 95 XJ. Paid $200 pulled off the truck for me. Not to bad. Ordered 4.56 gears for the 8.8 and D30 from Randys Ring and Pinion for about $450. I just picked up a Powertrax Lockrite for the D30 last week. I'm trying to install that right now, but it's going to be a pain. I had the gears in the D30 installed last week for $150. I couldn't believe that price! Mom and my brother went in and got me some diff. rock guards for Christmas from Ronscustomshop.bigstep.com. He cut them a deal for buying 2 at a time.

Here are a few pictures of what i've got so far. Please feel free to jump in and give me some advice. I'm not 100% sure what Cory has in mind. So Cory, you jump in and feel everyone, including me, in on what we are looking at here!

Happy trails!!

 

[jasonb]

cog = center of gravity

your truck looks great josh. i'm diggin the bumper. i have leftover money now that the locker didn't come in.. hmmmm...

 

[GaSouthern1]

You ever gonna go up to 37s josh?

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by GaSouthern1
You ever gonna go up to 37s josh?

Not on a D30. Anything larger than 35s is asking for trouble. Hell, 35s could be trouble.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by Rx4phun
looks like you might have a little frame flex, b/c the bumper isnt straight in some of those shots. Maybe your frame needs some reenforcement.

All vehicles with the C-Channel frame have frame flex. It also has to do with the body mounts.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by zensius
So how high did that front tire go on the forklift? I gotta know.

I didn't actually measure, but if I remember correctly you could have put another 35" tire underneath it. I'd say minimumlly 33" with a max of about 36".

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by jshexplo96
So how about a level shot of the whole truck from the side...Im dying to see that??

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by Muskrat
how's the cog on that?

It isn't bad. When I had it on the forklift I rocked the truck to see how stable it was and it seemed very stable.

 

[soupbone]

Nice work. Looks just like I want mine. Looks possible to fit 36x12.5 TSL radial on 15x10. Probably would rub a tad though.

What is the D30 WMS to WMS? Im looking for a HP D44 though..

 

[JoshC]

I would love to have 37's, but i believe my little 35's will hold me for a while Before i went anything over 35 i'll get a D44, probably one from a rubicon so that everthing will bolt up exactly like it is now.

Cory, let's not jenks me before we try it out by saying that 35's might be trouble!

 

[taxx]

You know that a rubi 44 isn't as strong as a true 44. But I think that is due to the knuckles and crap that I am sure could be swapped out, but wouldn't be worth what it would cost you for a rubi 44. I would get a regular old ford 44 maybe HP and cut it down and make it work.

 

[soupbone]

Couldnt you just get the jeep brackets and buckers welded on any axle? might cost but...... oh well

Then again you might loose your 5 on 4.5 with the Ford D44 outers parts....?

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by soupbone
Couldnt you just get the jeep brackets and buckers welded on any axle? might cost but...... oh well

Then again you might loose your 5 on 4.5 with the Ford D44 outers parts....?

Probably and it would end up being stronger I imagine. Maybe an old waggoneer 44 would work well. It has the same bolt pattern. Don't know about its strength though. Seems to be nice. But I bet this is a while down the road anyways.

 

[Jefe]

The only diff between a TJ D30 and Rubicon D44 is the Ring and Pinion and Locker. The inner axle and U-joing are D44 sized, but the outers are still weak. But if you upgraded it to the 5x5.5" manual hubs you'd have a decent axle . . . Then the main weak points are the d30 knuckles and axle tube.

 

[JoshC]

Yeah we're talking a ways down the road here. I'm sure this will last me for a long while. I 'm not rough when i'm driving it off road.....yet!

 

[taxx]

You better be hard on that thing! All that time and customization needs to be beaten!

 

[JoshC]

haha. It will be used, trust me, but it will take a few outtings before i'm use to it.

I just got my No-slip put back in. That was simple. Things are always easier after the first time. Lucky the mechanic that installed my gears put a notched center pin in there already, cause is a must with 4.56 gears! Front drive shaft is suppose to be here today, i called about that already.

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by JoshC
I just got my No-slip put back in.

Front or Rear? If not the front, what are you going to put up there?

 

[JoshC]

Rear, sorry guess i should have said that. I've got a lock rite up front! My driveshaft did come in today, got some bolts at Lowes so i can put that bad boy on then i'll be able to go wheelin this weekend!!!!!!!

 

[JoshC]

Here is a picture of my wife standing beside my explorer, she's about 5'6", so that gives you a little bit of an idea about how tall it is.

 

[JoshC]

My newly painted axle with the diff guard installed with grade 8 bolts after i installed the no-slip locker.