Dana 30 SAS

[Jakob3453]

Hello, I'm starting to do an axle swap on my 88 Bronco II with a dana 30 out of a jeep cherokee. I'm posting to get some advice on the best way to tackle this and maybe a list of what parts I'm going to need to be able to make it a mostly bolt on job.

 

[Curious Hound]

This is a project with a good bit of fabrication involved. There are several articles in our tech library that will get you started.

Axle Tech - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Why not use a 90 or newer axle. They're a Dana 35 instead of a Dana 28.

 

[4x4junkie]

Welcome to the site. Why not use a 90 or newer axle. They're a Dana 35 instead of a Dana 28.

I would certainly suggest this as well. It's a step ahead of the Dana30 in strength, and is almost entirely bolt-on. You just need the donor axle and steering linkage from the correct Ranger or Explorer, and to shorten your front driveshaft one inch (it can be made fully 100% bolt-in if you also get a 1990+ front driveshaft & t-case, could be an opportunity to swap to a manual-shift t-case if yours is electric-shift).

If you're dead-set on a solid beam axle, then just keep in mind, a D30 isn't the best axle to use, but is still an upgrade over the D28. With the light weight of a BII (compared to, say, a Supercab Ranger), the D30 does have a chance of survival with 33" or so tires if you treat it well (35" tires if you find a '95 or newer D30 having the larger u-joints).

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

I'm swapping my D30 out for a D44. The D30 has been good to me, but at the end of the day its not a D44. yes the newer ones have the same size u joints and yes i get it, but do a side by side picture of the D30 compared to a D44. Its like a D60 compared to a D44. That's my opinion and I have a D30 swapped rig.

 

[Jakob3453]

I would certainly suggest this as well. It's a step ahead of the Dana30 in strength, and is almost entirely bolt-on. You just need the donor axle and steering linkage from the correct Ranger or Explorer, and to shorten your front driveshaft one inch (it can be made fully 100% bolt-in if you also get a 1990+ front driveshaft & t-case, could be an opportunity to swap to a manual-shift t-case if yours is electric-shift).

If you're dead-set on a solid beam axle, then just keep in mind, a D30 isn't the best axle to use, but is still an upgrade over the D28. With the light weight of a BII (compared to, say, a Supercab Ranger), the D30 does have a chance of survival with 33" or so tires if you treat it well (35" tires if you find a '95 or newer D30 having the larger u-joints).

I am aware that the D30 is not the best solid axle on the market, but to my knowledge, the D44 is wider. which, at the moment, I don't plan on swapping the rear as well, maybe in a few years,and when my bronco isn't my daily I might, plus I don't wheel too hard and mostly do trails. but if decide to, the dufftuff long arm kit that am interested in can be fitted to a D44.

(edit): I plan on collecting the parts for refurbishing and the mounting parts for the D30 over the next 6-12 months.