Dana 30 is getting beefed

all,
I understand where you all are coming from, and I really appreciate it, but im wheeling in Hawaii on Oahu. So for me to do all the work to the D30, and make it last 3-4 years and then buy a D44 once I hit the mainland is my main goal. Trust me if there was even a junk yard here on island I would go look for a d44, but buying a d44 and having it shipped here from almost anywhere would cost close to 9 grand. I just don't have that cash, so me beefing up my d30 is the only feasible thing to do right now.
 
jkugeza said:
all,
I understand where you all are coming from, and I really appreciate it, but im wheeling in Hawaii on Oahu. So for me to do all the work to the D30, and make it last 3-4 years and then buy a D44 once I hit the mainland is my main goal. Trust me if there was even a junk yard here on island I would go look for a d44, but buying a d44 and having it shipped here from almost anywhere would cost close to 9 grand. I just don't have that cash, so me beefing up my d30 is the only feasible thing to do right now.
Click to expand...

Ok. That sounds more reasonable. I just would not put a ton of money into it. Maybe re-gear then, and gusset it and call it a day. Just be prepared for it to break one day. Mine lasted less then 2 years and I wheel a few times a month and go pretty hard at it. Just be smart and you can make it last until you get a 44 or 60.
 
I did exactly what you are planning down to the gears. I get your issues till you move to the states but after the fact I personally think the only lasting mod is the C gussets! Maybe this has been explained already but your biggest problem with the stock 30 is flexing in the pumpkin secondary is tube lightness and the stock c's strength in both of the 30 and 44. The 30 will tolerate very little and considerably less as you go down in gear ratio. The pinion gets so small that any amount of flexing or high torque input will equal total destruction of the pumpkin assembly. You try to beef up everything but it still transfers issues back to the light pumpkin assembly. Stock axles are like a shear pin to maybe save your ring and pinion for another day and a light foot will stave it off also but these vehicles are so irresistible to be pushed that it is only a matter of time till you push it to far. In the old days with the Corporate 10 bolts we would run lower trusses to help but now you have a every thing kind of catcher hanging under your axle! My suggestion is upper gusset your C's and put in some good u joints on your stock axles and bite your lip every time you wheel till you can get yourself into position to upgrade to a Prorock. With everything you stick into a 30 and remember your time isn't free you are well past half way to buying that lasting upgrade. Keep in mind this should be fun so cussing, cutting, burning yourself and wasting your time to only have to do the inevitable is not at all in the fun cycle of things! The older I get the more I hate doing things twice which usually 50% of the time leads to three times and all the fun is gone! Good luck!
 
jkugeza said:
all,
I understand where you all are coming from, and I really appreciate it, but im wheeling in Hawaii on Oahu. So for me to do all the work to the D30, and make it last 3-4 years and then buy a D44 once I hit the mainland is my main goal. Trust me if there was even a junk yard here on island I would go look for a d44, but buying a d44 and having it shipped here from almost anywhere would cost close to 9 grand. I just don't have that cash, so me beefing up my d30 is the only feasible thing to do right now.
Click to expand...

You really aren't listening are you? You have everyone screaming at you to NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T DO ANYTHING. Just be a bit more careful and your D30 will be fine. Just do C gussets.
 
jkugeza said:
all,
I understand where you all are coming from, and I really appreciate it, but im wheeling in Hawaii on Oahu. So for me to do all the work to the D30, and make it last 3-4 years and then buy a D44 once I hit the mainland is my main goal. Trust me if there was even a junk yard here on island I would go look for a d44, but buying a d44 and having it shipped here from almost anywhere would cost close to 9 grand. I just don't have that cash, so me beefing up my d30 is the only feasible thing to do right now.
Click to expand...

That being said, is there really anything wrong with your Dana 30 now?? Being that you are wheeling in Hawaii, I'm gonna bet NO. And yet, you're just about to throw all kinds of money at your axle anyway. My only point to all this is that you most likely DON'T NEED ANY OF THE STUFF YOU ARE INSTALLING and you'd be better off saving your money until you do get to the mainland and do things right.

Again, it's your money and your Jeep and please don't let me stand in your way on how you choose to spend or build it.

Have a good weekend, I'm out. :yup:
 
thank you all for the information. im just trying to make the d30 last till I get back to the mainland. all the parts listed can swap from a dana 30 to a dana 44, minus maybe the front gears. I think I will install the gussets now on the 30 to add that little extra security and just wait to add all the other pieces in a 44 once I hit the mainland. its gonna be a long wait, but I cant pass on getting this never been used, used deal on all the equipment from one of my friends out here.
 
jkugeza said:
thank you all for the information. im just trying to make the d30 last till I get back to the mainland. all the parts listed can swap from a dana 30 to a dana 44, minus maybe the front gears. I think I will install the gussets now on the 30 to add that little extra security and just wait to add all the other pieces in a 44 once I hit the mainland. its gonna be a long wait, but I cant pass on getting this never been used, used deal on all the equipment from one of my friends out here.
Click to expand...

Sucks trying to polish a turd. Not sure if any of the parts you listed can be swapped to a d44.
 
I'm going to add some c gussets and use a Sharpie to write Dana 44 on my 30 axle shaft. I figure that'll hold me over for quite some time.

Good info in this thread="Leave well enough alone..until it's not well enough!"
 
olram30 said:
Sucks trying to polish a turd. Not sure if any of the parts you listed can be swapped to a d44.
Click to expand...

that is one of the things I did check on, that is could go for a d30 or a d44....and I full get what your saying about polishing a turd. but we are real limited out here in parts for jeeps. most of them have to come from the mainland and not only does it take 3-4 weeks, it costs and arm and a leg.
 
ArmyofMike said:
I'm going to add some c gussets and use a Sharpie to write Dana 44 on my 30 axle shaft. I figure that'll hold me over for quite some time.

Good info in this thread="Leave well enough alone..until it's not well enough!"
Click to expand...

that sharpie idea might catch fire, I like it
 
wayoflife said:
That being said, is there really anything wrong with your Dana 30 now?? Being that you are wheeling in Hawaii, I'm gonna bet NO. And yet, you're just about to throw all kinds of money at your axle anyway. My only point to all this is that you most likely DON'T NEED ANY OF THE STUFF YOU ARE INSTALLING and you'd be better off saving your money until you do get to the mainland and do things right.

Again, it's your money and your Jeep and please don't let me stand in your way on how you choose to spend or build it.

Have a good weekend, I'm out. :yup:
Click to expand...

no my d30 is fine right now, and one of the latest posts here, a guy said its not easy to polish a turd....maybe ill take my rig out this weekend and accidently on purpose break my 30 so I can try to convince my wife we need a 44.....ill let you know how this goes.
 
jims68 said:
I did exactly what you are planning down to the gears. I get your issues till you move to the states but after the fact I personally think the only lasting mod is the C gussets! Maybe this has been explained already but your biggest problem with the stock 30 is flexing in the pumpkin secondary is tube lightness and the stock c's strength in both of the 30 and 44. The 30 will tolerate very little and considerably less as you go down in gear ratio. The pinion gets so small that any amount of flexing or high torque input will equal total destruction of the pumpkin assembly. You try to beef up everything but it still transfers issues back to the light pumpkin assembly. Stock axles are like a shear pin to maybe save your ring and pinion for another day and a light foot will stave it off also but these vehicles are so irresistible to be pushed that it is only a matter of time till you push it to far. In the old days with the Corporate 10 bolts we would run lower trusses to help but now you have a every thing kind of catcher hanging under your axle! My suggestion is upper gusset your C's and put in some good u joints on your stock axles and bite your lip every time you wheel till you can get yourself into position to upgrade to a Prorock. With everything you stick into a 30 and remember your time isn't free you are well past half way to buying that lasting upgrade. Keep in mind this should be fun so cussing, cutting, burning yourself and wasting your time to only have to do the inevitable is not at all in the fun cycle of things! The older I get the more I hate doing things twice which usually 50% of the time leads to three times and all the fun is gone! Good luck!
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, I have decided that I am going to get all these parts, but im going to save them for a pro rock once I hit the mainland. I just cant do the pro rock now, as ill pay the same amount in shipping as I would for the axel. but it will be worth the wait. I will add the upper and lower gussets for a little more piece of mind and save the rest. thanks again to you and everyone who put in their 2 cents. that's why we have these rooms right? mahalo:beer::twocents:
 
Definitely off topic but if you don't mind my asking, how much is it to ship a jeep from Oahu to the mainland?

There is a chance way down the road I could be doing the opposite and I'd like to know what kind of damage I should be expecting.
 
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