[DarKGifT06]

I was wondering..... If I go to a scrap yard and find some big chev or Ford 150 or larger can I pull there axles out sand blast, replace all the inerds, and slap them on the jeep. or is there some thing that I should be looking at spacifcly?? like a ford 9 bolt, dana 60??? Thinking about it all i would have to do is re-weld the strut brackets & the spring purch. as most full size trucks are leaf spring in the rear at least....
I want to run 35in tires at some time and I dont want to run into problems with spining out my axles.

[JFiorentino]

Originally Posted by DarKGifT06

I was wondering..... If I go to a scrap yard and find some big chev or Ford 150 or larger can I pull there axles out sand blast, replace all the inerds, and slap them on the jeep. or is there some thing that I should be looking at spacifcly?? like a ford 9 bolt, dana 60??? Thinking about it all i would have to do is re-weld the strut brackets & the spring purch. as most full size trucks are leaf spring in the rear at least....
I want to run 35in tires at some time and I dont want to run into problems with spining out my axles.

Just for my clarification, are you talking about replacing the Rear / Front end with a larger unit (i.e. Dana 44, 60, Ford 8.8)? When you say pull axles out, I envison you pulling axle shafts and trying to install them in your existing housings (which won't work without an act of god).

If you are talking about installing an entire new rear or front end, you have a number of choices (Ford 8.8, Ford 9, Dana 44, Dana 60). With the exception of a DANA 44 out of an existing Wrangler, you are probably looking at having to add spring perches, track bar mount, sway bar mounts, and a different yoke.

Depending on how much work you want to do, you are probably looking at $2400 to replace both the front and rear-end. From there, sky is the limit... You can sink some serious coin depending if you go with alloy axles, lockers, and new gears.

Assuming that you have a Dana 30 front, and Dana 35 rear... I'd suggest leaving the front alone (except new gears to accomodate the larger tires). Concentrate on your rear. You have a couple of options (Replace or Build-up). You can pick-up a Super 35 kit for under $1000 which will replace your axles (from 27 spline to 30 spline). The axle diameter will be the same. The super 35 will replace your stock carrier with a locking differential. Many people will say that the Super 35 is a waste of money. Personally, I have one and with my style of driving, it works just fine (33x12.5 tires). I've been told that the Super 35 is good up to 35 inch tires. If you have the cash and want a bigger rear check into the Ford 8.8 or a Dana 44.

You are welcome to check out my web site at www.OurJeeps.com for more information on the Super 35.

[Varnish]

I would think the axle width would be of concern to you as well, maybe not. Those full size axles are gonna be significantly wider than your stock TJ axle.

[DarKGifT06]

I was wondering how long it would take for some one to ask the question about the axle or whole Diff and yes Im thinking the hole assembly. I drive with a very heavy foot its gotten me in to some truble so far.... Friggen snow tisk tisk.... Short as wheel base tisk tisk..... Learned my leson there but when im on the trail i like to spin those tires.

But yes I was thinking a 8.8 or a Dana60. new spring perches, track bar mount, sway bar mounts, and a different yoke was exactly what i was looking for. The local Scrap yard has tones of older Full size Pickups and once a year has an all you can cary for $200 then it would just be cleaning them up and re-furbishing them unless they are in ok shape.. which most of the stuff there is.

I would have thought that the dana 30 in the front would be the first thing to replace as 30 seems very small as the 35 in the back is known to shread splines with 33" tires.

[DarKGifT06]

I was just talking to a guy at work about the length isue. what is the easy way of dealing with that?? Cut the housing and re weld the hub???

[Wheelin98TJ]

Originally Posted by DarKGifT06

I was just talking to a guy at work about the length isue. what is the easy way of dealing with that?? Cut the housing and re weld the hub???

I wouldn't bother with trying to narrow axles yourself. It seems like it would be very difficult. Then add the cost of custom axle shafts and you might as well just buy a custom axle ready to go.

I would leave them full-size width and get wheels with more backspacing to tuck them in under the flares a little more.

Or just get axles that are already TJ width. Thats one of the reasons why the 8.8 is such a popular swap.

[Bucket110]

i agree with above....and to add to it. with a dana60 in the front or rear and only a 35" tire you will be dragging the pumpkin across every pebble on the trail. 37-38" tires are the smallest tires you should run on a d60 unless its a custom axle such as the prorock60.

[Varnish]

There's lug pattern as well, another reason the explorer 8.8 is popular - it shares the 5x4.5 pattern and lets you re-use your wheels.

[kpatrick]

Is the Dana 30 up front a weak point, or is it over exaggerated? I was thinking over time of upgrading to match my rear (44), but don't know if I am just throwing money into the fire.

[Bucket110]

a modified 30 (alloy shafts, and 760x u-joints) will hold up to 35's and a locker just fine as long as you aren't too hard on it when the steering wheel is all the way over.

i broke more parts on my 32's than on my 35's in my d30. the 35's killed the d44 though first time out.

[DarKGifT06]

So an 8.8 front and rear is the way to go i was thinking D44 up front with D60 on 35" tires would be a good combo but i do see what you are talking about with the dif draging with 35" tires.... So what kinda Rig comes with the Ford 8.8 Ill probably just Find a Cherokee or Wagoneer with a D44 for the front as it would have the correct width.

[Hunter9]

Look for a late model explorer (after 95) they will have one and also will come with disc brakes and sometimes a limited slip diff. I see there is on on ebay now for $350 new with 4.10 gears, discs and LSD. For the front you could look for a d44 out of a cherokee/wagoneer. although I am not sure if they are a direct bolt in. The d30 will hold up pretty well, but as always it depends on hard you wheel and how hard you press the skinny pedal.

[James04TJ]

It sounds like you have a whole lot more research to do before you spend money on anything. If you only intend to run 35" tires, leave your D30 in place and consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Ford 8.8 compared to a Dana 44.

Ford 8.8 (From an explorer)

-New brackets required, low differential housing (clearance issues), offset pinion.
-Cheap in a salvage yard, stock with disc brakes.

Dana 44 (from a TJ)

-Slightly more expensive
-Bolt-in application, better ground clearance.

Both axles are comparable in strength as supporting 35" tires with a locking differential. The low initial cost of the 8.8 is offset by having to purchase a TJ bracket kit and paying labor for the welding.

[JFiorentino]

Originally Posted by kpatrick

Is the Dana 30 up front a weak point, or is it over exaggerated? I was thinking over time of upgrading to match my rear (44), but don't know if I am just throwing money into the fire.

The Dana 30 isn't terribly strong, but it also not placed under the same amount of stress as the rear. If you open your transfer case, you will find that the rear-end is driven directly by a shaft, the front driveshaft is then turned via a large chain. I don't think that the front get's as much power or torque sent to it, thus you can get by with the Dana 30 until you put tires larger than 35's on.

Differentials are a funny thing. They can last a very long time and take allot of abuse. Then again, I've seen them fail on paved road at the lease expected time.

[DarKGifT06]

James, Thanks for those Pros and cons. I would love to do a D44 Swap but its hard to find used TJ parts here in canada and they are always WAY over priced. where there are literaly thousands of fords and chevys. Ill look for the D44 b4 i look for a 8.8 What does the Ford "Exploder" have for a front axle as i was going to locate a 44 for the front and a 44 posibly 8.8 in the rear. The 44 in the rear would be able to do lockers with 35-37" x 14" wide tires