Best Swap for Dana 30

1C41N0 · 03-23-2009, 10:46 PM

Continuing the Saga, on a 4.3 vortec Swap what would be a good and easy swap for the dana 30? Ford 8.8 for the rear is what I"ve been told but what about the front? It may not be necessary but I'm just wondering

provinT13 · 03-23-2009, 11:01 PM

Dana 44

or chromoly shafts in the 30

Douglas S. · 03-23-2009, 11:10 PM

waggy 44 is the easiest option

1C41N0 · 03-25-2009, 03:44 AM

Do they have the same bolt pattern? Now, I'm familiar with the Dana 60. Got em in an old Ford (F150). I put a 429 in that thing. Is there a good comparison? I know that the 60 is heavier, but a 44 should hold up pretty well to a 4.3.

provinT13 · 03-25-2009, 09:01 AM

What tire size will you be running?

Checo18 · 03-25-2009, 09:03 AM

If you want best I'd probably go with the 60, easiest and more economical try to get a 44 out of something

SteveJcoYJ · 03-25-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1C41N0

Do they have the same bolt pattern? Now, I'm familiar with the Dana 60. Got em in an old Ford (F150). I put a 429 in that thing. Is there a good comparison? I know that the 60 is heavier, but a 44 should hold up pretty well to a 4.3.

i coudln't help but notice your jeep is a bone stock

i would decide on tire size and how you want your lift setup and then start planning axles. If you only want like 33's there is no need for a 60 up front, by comparison my buddy has a d60 upfront and a d70 in the rear on 40's. If your goal is that big i say go balls deep and tear apart a f350. It's a lot of fabbin and work.

but if your goal are less extreme i wouldn't look past a d44

**92 Green YJ** · 03-25-2009, 11:47 AM

I have a Waggy 44 sitting out in my acrport right now waiting for me to get the dough to order parts and build it up. the 44 is very similar in width to the 30. only an inch or 2 wider. the bolt pattern is not the same as the stock YJ bolt pattern however and can not be converted to stock (5 on 4.5") the 8.8 rear is however which is why it is such a popular swap. both axles can easily be converted to a matching 5 on 5.5" bolt pattern however which is my plan. I am going to get and install Superiors super88 kit in the 8.8. its drilled for both 5 on 4.5 and 5 on 5.5. for the front I will be using a combination of ford and checy dana 44 parts to do the conversion

**ErikJordan** · 03-25-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92 Green YJ

I have a Waggy 44 sitting out in my acrport right now waiting for me to get the dough to order parts and build it up. the 44 is very similar in width to the 30. only an inch or 2 wider. the bolt pattern is not the same as the stock YJ bolt pattern however and can not be converted to stock (5 on 4.5") the 8.8 rear is however which is why it is such a popular swap. both axles can easily be converted to a matching 5 on 5.5" bolt pattern however which is my plan. I am going to get and install Superiors super88 kit in the 8.8. its drilled for both 5 on 4.5 and 5 on 5.5. for the front I will be using a combination of ford and checy dana 44 parts to do the conversion

plan to use alloy axles this go-round?

you could have saved all of the effort in just going with a super 30 or other alloy axles up front.

RoughRider0923 · 03-25-2009, 12:45 PM

try breakin a rockwell or unimog if u got the bucks i have not broke my stockers yet lol knock on wood

**92 Green YJ** · 03-25-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikJordan

plan to use alloy axles this go-round?

you could have saved all of the effort in just going with a super 30 or other alloy axles up front.

lol. hey Erik, long time no see. u shoulda swung by camp for a beer at TDS.

but yeah, I blew 2 front shafts in 2 days during TDS, so I'm done with the Dana 30. I would go with the super 30 kit, but Im pretty sure my whole Dana 30 is bent so I'm just gonna scrap it in favor of the Dana 44. Got it for a steal from Christian Hazel so I really couldn't turn it down. gonna build it up and stuff it with an ARB, Yukon gears, moly shafts, CTMs, and Warn Hubs before I slam it in. Already has flat tops and one side already has the studs for a high steer arm so I'll probably be going with a High Steer set up as well

1C41N0 · 03-26-2009, 09:19 PM

Right now I'm running 235's and yes...mine is bone stock. The biggest I'd probably go to is 33's or 31x10 15's. (that's down the road). I'm really putting some planning into modifying everything when I get back to the mainland. (1 year before starting). I'm tring to really keep the JEEP because it has almost 0 rust, and the only part that does is bolt on. (windshield frame). I have done a similar swap on my 79 Ford F150 (put 429 etc in it). On this project I'm probably looking at the Dana 44 in front and the Ford Explorer 8.8. Thanks for all the help!

**leftlanetruckin** · 03-26-2009, 09:23 PM

i wouldnt bother with the 44 myself, the weak spot is the u joints in the 30, and they happen to be the exact same size as the 44......
just my .02, but build the hp30 and leave well enough alone. it is more than capable of handling 33's. hell mine was on 37's with a built hp30!

martin

**Joe Dillard** · 03-26-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftlanetruckin

i wouldnt bother with the 44 myself, the weak spot is the u joints in the 30, and they happen to be the exact same size as the 44......

Ding - ding - ding.....we have a winner here......

1C41N0 · 03-26-2009, 09:34 PM

thanks leftlanetruckin. that should save some time/$