D30 vs D44

[pyagid]

What is the weak point in the D30.

I know that the d44 has a bigger and stronger ring and pinion. But i am debating on spending money to set up a set of scout axles for my Jeep. OR upgrade the axles in my D30 to accomidate 297x ujoints. With high strength axles.


It looks like i could up grade my D30 for cheaper than i could set up a dana 44 front and rear. My M20 is already upgraded all i really need to do is add a truss and I think it iwll be all set.

I dont plan on running tires larger than 36's. ANd i do plan on locking it. Most likely with a lunchbox locker of some sort.


I am trying to keep my 5x5.5 bolt pattern so i could run the wheels i just got. and keep the passenger side drop so i dont have to worry about flipping my D300

[Tigger]

With D44 you get 1) Bigger ring gear 2) Bigger tubes 3) Bigger axle shafts, and its possible to get one in the 5x5.5 pattern

Keeping a D30 if you upgrade your axle shafts and the u-joints (to CTM's) you make your ring gear your fuse point for breakage.

If you keep standard shafts and upgrade to the 297x u-joint you keep the week point at the u-joint.

Alot will depend on your wheeling style, if you like to hammer it then go with the D44 if you are more of a finesse driver the D30 with some upgrades should hold up fine.

[jeepsr4ever]

dana 44 weak spiders-dana 30 even weaker ring pinion and spiders-shafts and tubes
` any more ?'s?

[pyagid]

dana 44 weak spiders-dana 30 even weaker ring pinion and spiders-shafts and tubes
` any more ?'s?

you did not even vote 8)

But i guess I am looking for a cheaper way out which will just be more expensive in the long run.

-Paul

[jeepsr4ever]

Voted :sa:

[Dusty]

It depends on the application, 30 makes a great replacement on cj2a for mild use 33" and smaller tires IMPO but overall the 44 offers the stronger R&P for a front end especially when the open carrier is addressed by replacing it with a PLOK or such. also when using a V-8 in a later CJ its almost necessary, it seems that when at the worst of moments, thats when the ring gear or small pinion on a geared up D30 lets go.

[thigh19]

FYI I talked to MORE Offroad concerning Hi pinion and the guy told me that they break more HP 44's than HP 30's. Don't know if it's because they're stronger or you just baby the 30 a little more cause it's smaller?

[pyagid]

well my 44's fell through. I was not able to find the time to make the 8 hour trip 1 way to pick them up. SO i am looking at FullSize axles now 60/14 bolt

[tufcj]

I broke about every part of a Dana 30 with 35s. First break was a ring/pinion. Next break was a carrier, sheared off at the bearing on one end, twisted and broke the ring/pinion again. Went to a power lock at that point, ant then just broke about 5-6 axle shafts or u-joints before upgrading to a Dana 44. I haven't broken anything on the 44 with 35s, upgraded to 37s last summer, and still good so far.

Bob.
tufcj