[USCGTWEET]

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me any other way to beef up my axles besides re gearing and adding lockers. I realize that everyone will suggest just going to 44's but right now that isn't in my budget. Any thoughts would be awesome. Thank you.

[afguy]

Lockers and regearing wont do anything for the strength of the D35. It actually would increase the chances that you will break it. You could replace your shafts with 27 spline alloy shafts for about $200, but thats a bandaid in most peoples opinion, or you could do a Super 35 kit for about $1k but then you have to pay to setup your gears again. Another option is a ford 8.8, but by the time your done you could have as much in it at a brand new D44. 4 Wheel Parts can get you a new D44 already set up for a TJ with a detroit, 30 spline alloy usa shafts and the gears of your choice for $2230, which seems expensive, but that is out the door so you dont have to pay $500 for shipping.

Before anyone suggests staying away from 4 wheel parts or this other place has free shipping, you must take into consideration that free shipping only applies to the 48 states, not Hawaii. Just to put things into perspective. I shipped my bicycle which was broken down in a hard plastic case through UPS. It weighed 67lbs and cost me $350.

[USCGTWEET]

I appreciate it I will look into through 4WD. If I could both the front and rear set-up like that for under 6K I would go that direction. But I am just curious as to how much they would charge me for install.

[otisdog]

Your front axle is a D30 and it is not that big of a concern. You can put alloy shafts in it and it will hold up great.
http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddetail.php?prod=ALLOYUSA-FRONTAXLE-KIT

Your rear axle is a concern if it's a D35 and I'm assuming it is. A D35 will have a rubber fill plug.
You need to know what gear ratio you have. It can make a big difference in your plans. If you don't know go look at this tag and it will tell you. Look for 3 07 or 3 73 on the tag.
Post back when you find out.
Jim

[jays-tj]

You could go with D44's from NorthRidge 4x4 and be under $6K for both. As Otisdog said (and from what I've read on this Forum) the front D30 may not be that big of a concern, but If you are regearing, locker and upgrading the shafts in your D30 you could probably install a bolt in D44 yourself for the same price. Labor kills, it seams that the Labor usually matches close to the price of the items your installing. Not sure about the shipping.

[Crashnburn80]

Originally Posted by afguy

or you could do a Super 35 kit for about $1k but then you have to pay to setup your gears again.

The Super 35 is a complete bolt in, the gears are already set up. You would only need to worry about regearing if you changed your gear ratio with the new Super 35 axle, then you would need to regear the front. You could install this yourself pretty easily, though its not as good as a D44 or 8.8.

As others mentioned the D30 should hold up fine and not be a cause for concern unless you are doing something extreame.

[afguy]

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

The Super 35 is a complete bolt in, the gears are already set up. You would only need to worry about regearing if you changed your gear ratio with the new Super 35 axle, then you would need to regear the front.

I did not know that. I always thought that if you replaced the carrier you had to adjust the backlash and other stuff again.

[afguy]

Originally Posted by USCGTWEET

I appreciate it I will look into through 4WD. If I could both the front and rear set-up like that for under 6K I would go that direction. But I am just curious as to how much they would charge me for install.

The axle I was looking at was bolt in. The only other thing you should have to do is hook up the brake lines an bleed. Dont pay them to bolt on something that easy. Im sure one of us here on the island can give you a hand with that if you decide to go that route.

[USCGTWEET]

Well I sure do appreciate it and I will keep you posted. And as to what the stock gears I have in... funny story, when I did my last differential servicing I am pretty sure I threw those things away without even looking at them.

[afguy]

Its either 3.07 or 3.73. Since gears would be included in the price of the new axle, you might as well get different ones. 4.56 would be good for 33s, but you also have to regear the front too.

[kd4yor]

Consider looking for used axles from a 2.5L. They are 4.10 ratio and will help. Then you could put an Aussie in the front.

[afguy]

Originally Posted by kd4yor

Consider looking for used axles from a 2.5L. They are 4.10 ratio and will help. Then you could put an Aussie in the front.

Changing out the front axle would only accomplish a gear change. Switching out the rear with another D35 defeats the whole purpose of trying to get more strenght back there.

[USCGTWEET]

Yes I agree if I am going to change out the axle anyways wouldn't it just be more cost effective to swap both the front and rear with bolt on Dana 44's?

[afguy]

Originally Posted by USCGTWEET

Yes I agree if I am going to change out the axle anyways wouldn't it just be more cost effective to swap both the front and rear with bolt on Dana 44's?

A D44 front will run you a couple hundred more than the D44 rear. If you want more strength throw in some alloy shafts and an Aussie locker for about $1k then regear it if you decide to change the gearing in the rear. You figure about $1500 for the D30 vs $2600 for the front D44.

The D30 is much stronger than the D35. I have read some posts where guys are running the D30s locked with 37s and the stock shafts.

[yellj]

Originally Posted by USCGTWEET

Yes I agree if I am going to change out the axle anyways wouldn't it just be more cost effective to swap both the front and rear with bolt on Dana 44's?

You would be better off going with a D30 HP for the front, you can get the same effective strength as a Rubi 44, raise your DS 3" and it will cost $300 less.