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!!

 

[JoshC]

Here's the one some of you have been waiting for! The comparison shot!

 

[JoshC]

Here is a pic of the driveshaft that came into. Very nice quality. Double cardon CV style with dana greasable joints. I got this and the adapter from Tom Woods. Very good to deal with.

 

[Kinnish]

Insane.....that is sharp...real sharp. Your truck inspired me to get an explorer and lift it 2 years ago. Now I'm reallll jealous

 

[NOTAJP]

Absolutely beautiful.

Question: Why did you decide to mount the shocks below the axle tube? If this was a length concern you could have mounted them farther outward and flush with the axle with the same length shock. That's the only thing I would pick on but my wife says she would have also placed some diamond plate behind the rear bumper to cover the wiring and frame.

 

[JoshC]

Thanks alot Kinnish, that means alot buddy!

NOTAJP, i'm not really sure why he but them there. He didn't give me a whole lot of info while he was building the truck. I trust his judgement, so maybe he'll chime in here and tell you why.

 

[Digger196]

you should repaint the Hilift red or black. Also why do you still have the side splash guard still on there. the metal behind the rear wheel well. it would look better with it off. just my couple comments. other than that Badass!

 

[Texplorer]

Now there is another Explorer I am jealous of. You SAS guys need to stop posting so many pictures. Its making me go insane. Josh it looks great, wish I could do the same right now.

 

[JoshC]

Yeah i've noticed that my hilift needed re painting. I'll be getting on that now that the truck is on the road again. I kind of like the little bit of chrome that is on the truck. The diamond plate needs to be cleaned, that will help too.

The front driveshaft is on. Only thing is that the front ujoint on the axle doesn't fit down in the yoke like it should. It bolts up, but not perfectly. So maybe tomorrow i can look at it in the day light. I took a picture of the clearance of the tranny cross member but it didn't show up on my camera, so i'll take another one tomorrow. I don't know if it's going to be enough or not.

 

[JoshC]

Thanks Texplorer. I love posting pictures. I actually have something now that's worth showing a little!

 

[jasonb]

awesome josh.. truly awesome. can't wait to see that sucker in action at tellico.

 

[JoshC]

Thanks Jason, me too!

 

[hvac man]

looks good but those shocks mounted that far in on the axle and no rear sway bar is probably alot of your Hwy driving problem. The further out the suspention is on the axle the more stabil it makes it. I would either move the shocks or rig up a sway bar and use disconects. I also noticed on the front that you have an upper controll arm on both sides are you planning on removeing the upper on the passenger side when you go wheeling to get more articulation? This is a very cool conversion and I am basing a lot of my project off of it. Good luck and we are going to definately want to see pic of this thing in action.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by hvac man
looks good but those shocks mounted that far in on the axle and no rear sway bar is probably alot of your Hwy driving problem. The further out the suspention is on the axle the more stabil it makes it.

Suspension mounted further out will be more stable and less flexy. Shocks mounted closer to the center or at more of an angle will result in less travel needed for the shock. That is why they are mounted that way. It probably does have a small effect of the "walk" but I don't think it is the major contributor.

I also noticed on the front that you have an upper controll arm on both sides are you planning on removeing the upper on the passenger side when you go wheeling to get more articulation?

I wouldn't do this with this kind of setup. Since the arms are angled in, there would be even more stress on the remaining link to keep the caster from changing. If the upper links were mounted in the same plane as the lowers I would be all for it, but as it is now, I am firmly against it.

 

[taxx]

Now that I see that bumper painted and with the skid on it it is sharp, and I think it looks great. Congrats Josh and Cory.

I like the CRL stickers too (do I get one if I order my steering?)!

 

[GaSouthern1]

you know what would really make it look totally bad ass...glass front fenders.

That is one incredible truck Josh, i bet you are proud. I wish I had 4wd and I would be up at Tellico with all yall...if I can get my buddy with a nice TJ to go then I am gonna be there....shoot I may just come to see all the trucks then come back home haha.

 

[jasonb]

thought you were coming to ride along patrick?

 

[GaSouthern1]

I thought that everyones car was full....but if someone has an open seat then I am game.

 

[JoshC]

Yeah the bumper looks 10 times better with the plates on it and painted. Thanks Dave.

There'll be an open seat there. I've got a 4door.

 

[GaSouthern1]

Im there then...I will call you sometime next week Jason and see what i need to bring and all....i should be back around tuesday after my golf tournament.

 

[jasonb]

cool.. i'll post a reply in the other thread