dana 35 outers question...

[88ranger2.3]

Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the outers and parts necissary to use the lockout hubs from a dana 35 to a dana 30 out of a jeep? I have an old grand cherokee dana 30 with 3.55 and I have 3.55's in my ranger. I was considering if it was possible to take the knuckles or other parts off the 35 and swap the hubs and rotors over to the jeep axle to keep the 4.5 on 5 bolt pattern and also gain the lock out hubs instead of a full time axle...

 

[Bent Bolt]

No, not a chance. Completely different axles.

 

[4x4junkie]

No, the parts won't fit.
However Warn makes an actual lockout conversion kit for that axle using the same hubs. It replaces the cartridge bearings with actual spindles and serviceable bearings. It's not cheap though.

 

[88ranger2.3]

I have seen the kits, I didn't know if there were already some of the parts if not all the parts to do it with either off the self stuff or a parts rearend without paying for the kit.

A person could get a different rearend cheaper then that...

I was kinda hoping to stick to the 5 on 4.5 pattern I have now. Just wishful thinking. I didn't know if anyone had looked into that particular option yet. I couldn't find any part numbers for the pieces that are included in the kit to see if I would be able to cross reference the parts to see if they were just off the shelf stuff anyways.

 

[dangerranger83]

What year is the D30 you have? I know my D30 has 5 on 4.5 pattern but I didnt know they had a different bolt pattern in the older ones, if they do.

 

[88ranger2.3]

My axle is a 5 on 4.5, but it is a full time engaged axle. I was hoping to replace my outer with something comparable to the Ranger's Dana 35 outer (knuckles, bearings, hubs, rotors) to gain the ability to use lock out hubs and stick with the stock bolt pattern.

it is a 1995 jeep grand axle (but I might be able to come up with a later model HP D30 outta a cherokee as well)...

I have seen the kit and it is essentially what I want to do, but with "Junkyard" parts, or over the counter parts. I would be willing to buy a complete dana 35 ttb if it would be a good parts candidate, but was curious if I an even attempting something possible, or are the parts not compatible. I know you can upgrade both a dana 30 and dana 35 to 44 outers, so why not a dana 30 to a dana 35?

Just thought someone would have to know more then I do about all this...

thanks.

 

[_Kyle_]

I've seen the kit as well. I have yet to see a homebrew mod that's been completed. I feel that if it was possible, the Jeep guys would have done it by now, but I could be wrong. I've been into Grand Cherokees for 5+ years and never come across a homebrew version.

 

[88ranger2.3]

I just didn't know because so many of the grand cherokee guys out there just toss the D30's for D44's or others. I was thinking it could be possible, but didn't know. I figured someone would have tried it too, but maybe not...

I guess I need to get out under the trucks with tape measure, calipers, paper, camera and do some serious measuring, and figuring... Perhaps it can be done...

Wishful thinking I guess that someone may have thought and tried it before, but I sure haven't found any information on it yet...

 

[88ranger2.3]

Basically what I was thinking if it would be possible is...

1. Replace the Jeep D30 Knuckle with a ranger D35 Knuckle (if the ball joints allow to bolt up or replace with ball joints (if available) that will allow the swap)

2. Remove Jeep D30 axles and remove outer axles from U-joint out and replace with D35 from U joint out (along with new U joints).

3. Reinstall all hubs, brakes, axle parts from knuckle out with ranger D35 parts.


That would give me the D30 with the lockout hubs of the D35 and keep the 5 on 4.5 axle patter. I figure it would change the width of the axle from WMS to WMS slightly, but not bad.

I just am not sure IF it is possible for this to be done...

Need to research more and get dirty under the trucks...

 

[_Kyle_]

Basically what I was thinking if it would be possible is...

1. Replace the Jeep D30 Knuckle with a ranger D35 Knuckle (if the ball joints allow to bolt up or replace with ball joints (if available) that will allow the swap)

2. Remove Jeep D30 axles and remove outer axles from U-joint out and replace with D35 from U joint out (along with new U joints).

3. Reinstall all hubs, brakes, axle parts from knuckle out with ranger D35 parts.


That would give me the D30 with the lockout hubs of the D35 and keep the 5 on 4.5 axle patter. I figure it would change the width of the axle from WMS to WMS slightly, but not bad.

I just am not sure IF it is possible for this to be done...

Need to research more and get dirty under the trucks...

Lot's of possibilities but no one I know of or have seen has gone through the effort to see if it would work. I had a similar thought in the past but never acted on it.

 

[88ranger2.3]

would have to be with a XJ dana 30 as the ZJ has the cv axles unless swapped to XJ axles... I think.

 

[dangerranger83]

Almost anything is possible and probably a hundred ways of doing it. You could be the person that figures out how to do it. If you do go through with it be sure to tell how you did it.

 

[88ranger2.3]

If I do get it worked out (which will take quite alot of time...) I will document with pictures and details and post about it.

Thanks

 

[dangerranger83]

I see alot of custom fabbing in your future.

 

[Bent Bolt]

This guy modded a D30 to accept D44 knuckles. Waste of time IMHO as you're still stuck with the weak D30 crown and pinion.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Hybrid_Axle/HybridAxle.htm

But it CAN be done.