Another D30 build. Opinions welcome

[dangerranger83]

And I agree 33's and 373's will run like a pig but mine will be running the stock tires over the winter, next spring I will be putting 33's and new rims on her and 456 gears (and an 8.8 rear end).

 

[Snurfer]

talk to john at ironman4x4 if you are looking to go the route of prefabbed long arms. and running that 2.3 motor with 3.73s is a bad idea. i would go with 4.56s if you are going to use 33s. and get a locker for the rear. you'll be real glad you did.

 

[dangerranger83]

Hes running a 2.8.

With a 2.3, Id go with 4.88's with 33's or steeper.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hes running a 2.8.

With a 2.3, Id go with 4.88's with 33's or steeper.

Depending on year, a 2.3 can have quite a little bit more power than a 2.8...

 

[Snurfer]

if youre still trying to keep it streetable id do the 4.56s. if its just gonna be a trail rig... go 4.88. you cant go any deeper than 4.88s on a d30 and even then the pinion is sooooo small at that ratio. youre also gonna need a 4 series carrier for anything lower than 3.55 gears for the D30.

 

[thehoochabides]

i'm just gonna change the thread right in the middle due to new developments. while in the back of the glass shop where i work today i noticed an old 66-72 F100 truck bed that had been converted into a trailer. my boss said i could have the 9 inch from the rear. i see a lot of guys going with a newer full size 9, like 78 and newer? i can't find stuff on this particular rear end and i want to use it. any opinions or info on this?

 

[Todd]

YES do go with coils it will be alot easier plus better ride quality not to mention flexability

You hear this often, and its not true. Like anything else if set up right they ride soft and flex damn well.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

i second the leaf spring's working just a well. with coil's there are more option's as far as ease of instilation. you can make both as easy or complicated as you want

 

[Snurfer]

^^ this is so true. some doods have had great success with leaf swaps on their rigs. as far as already being setup for coils tho with your truck i just see it as the easier route to go. its all preference tho man. you wanna use leafs, do it. you want coils, do it. dont let anyone convince you that coils suck or that leafs suck. research around and find out what route you want to go and start buildin it.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

leaf's have the potential to be a less expensive build. and i think has less brain work to it as well. dont get me wrong as stated above leaf's can be set up pretty trick. but the potential to snag some leaf's outta a junk vehicle make some crossmember's can be a little easier that trying to run radius arm's and figure out coil height. if you want to adjust ride height with leaf's you can just add a couple or take a couple away.