Best Axle Swap

[982WDRanger]

What is the best SAS set up? All opinions are appreciated.

Dana 30:
Dana 44:
Dana 60:
Rockwell:

What suspension type as well?

Coils:
Leafs:
4-Link:

 

[disciplerocks]

It would help if you explained what it will be used for and budget.

 

[982WDRanger]

Budget and Uses

For the swap you be building a street worthy trail runner. Go as extreme as you please.

Budget...? Depends on how much you want to cry when you break stuff But on a serious note, go for a budget build. Say $5000 that's including gears, suspension, axles...etc

 

[disciplerocks]

A 44 is probably best for all around including street. If its strictly off road, then go bigger.

 

[RangerSVT]

I'd go for a 60, with 37s. Much more beef for not much more $$$...


SVT

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Skip the BS and go right to the D60.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For the swap you be building a street worthy trail runner. Go as extreme as you please.

Budget...? Depends on how much you want to cry when you break stuff But on a serious note, go for a budget build. Say $5000 that's including gears, suspension, axles...etc

Really they all have their place.

The D30 would have an edge because it is the only option that wouldn't complicate things by almost requiring a rear axle swap to go with it.

But on the other hand the D30 has few advantages over the bolt in (if it isn't already there) D35 TTB without pouring huge amounts of money in it. I have bounced between the two for my own truck and usually land on the D35 because it is cheaper, easier and bolts in.

I would rather have a 60 than a 44, not much more $$ to buy and a whole lot more beef.

Rockwells are so far out of my league I don't even consider them an option in my little world.

One thing I think would be neat but I haven't seen done is solid axles with hydraulic motors in each hub for a crawler. Probably a reason it isn't popular but it would be neat and different.

 

[brinker88]

That's a VERY open ended question as others have stated. It all depends on what you're building the rig for. If it's for mall crawling, a 30" body lift would do thefinger. Mild trails/mud, I'd say a D30 for up to 35s. If slightly more extreme, I'd say go D44 for up to 37s. If anything more than that, Go D60/14B with a front 3-link, rear dual triangulated 4-link. Rockwells or MOGs for anything above a 42

 

[cammeddrz]

I would rather have a 60 than a 44, not much more $$ to buy

every d44 i have bought, i have picked up for $150.00 or less. 60s seem to be waaaaaaaaaay more than that.

but a 60 is better

 

[bobbywalter]

yeah....pretty well unanswerable.






i know i would take a d30 over 2wd any day....if i was starting with a 2wd truck.

 

[cammeddrz]

yeah....pretty well unanswerable.






i know i would take a d30 over 2wd any day....if i was starting with a 2wd truck.

i like my d44

but the guys on pirate don't want me to like it.....

pick an axle, run it, love it.

 

[brinker88]

One thing I forgot to mention is the MOTOR size. If you're running a V8 with low gears, you are DEFINITELY going to break a D30 and D44 even IF you're running chromoly shafts and cryoed gears.

 

[4.0B2]

yeah... it's to vague. Depends on uses.
What size tire? What kind of terrain? Motor? Vehicle it's under...


all in all, I like linked front/rear; on d60 front and a shaved 14 bolt rear and 38's... it can be daily driven if done right. Use good hubs up front and not drive flanges...


this... like Brinker said "Go D60/14B with a front 3-link, rear dual triangulated 4-link"

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

every d44 i have bought, i have picked up for $150.00 or less. 60s seem to be waaaaaaaaaay more than that.

but a 60 is better

Not many dead or dying Broncos or Jeeps around here. Old high mile one tons that nobody wants... a lot more common.

A dead one for a grand will get you both axles and a good hunk of iron to scrap.

 

[brinker88]

yeah... it's to vague. Depends on uses.
What size tire? What kind of terrain? Motor? Vehicle it's under...


all in all, I like linked front/rear; on d60 front and a shaved 14 bolt rear and 38's... it can be daily driven if done right. Use good hubs up front and not drive flanges...


this... like Brinker said "Go D60/14B with a front 3-link, rear dual triangulated 4-link"

Yup, like Yukon's badass chromoly lockout hubs.