Independent to dana 30 swap

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

Well it turns out my dad bought the wrong Axel for his 53 willys jeep. So It will be going to me. I believe I have a dana 35? But any way, I'm Not going to do leafs in the front because it is way to much work =))), It also looks alot more expensive then just coils. Im going to put a 6" lift on with the new axel. The way im going to lift it is: Super lift coils 6" for the rear, '2' 6" shocks '4', '2' 7" coils Pro comp probably. Then this is where i got lost. Do i need to buy 6" radius arms? Yes Where and whats the cheapest i can get them for? No then ok haha. Other thing is i need a trackbar? and a pitman arm and steering linkage? Sombody help me out please im a little lost. Sorry im new to lifting and i want to make sure i budget right before i do it. Also i need to order the parts first. Thanks~ Lift

chrwilkins30 · Dec 4, 2010

Sounds like a good plan.

sorry no help don't know about lifts.

scotts90ranger · Dec 4, 2010

yeah, I see you do need some help.

the axle being for a '53 jeep or thereabouts those things are generally pretty tiny (some were like a Dana 25 if I recall) so I don't know how good of a candidate that would be. The axle was originally designed to use leaf springs I'm sure, if you think throwing some leaf springs on top of the axle, making a front crossmember for the front leaf eyes then finding a point to mount the shackles in the back more difficult than modifying the axle to accept radius arms or a 4 link setup (not to mention properly designing the 4 link), adding a trac bar, and making coil pads on the axle then hey, go for it. going this route you would also have to make custom brake lines if it's not a mainstream axle

The dana 35 you should have in your truck is nearly as strong as a Dana 44 and can be setup to work fairly well, it would be easier to just put on a TTB lift then to do a SAS

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

Yeah i was wondering about that. If there were mounts you could put on the axel for coils. But maybe ill just ttb it. I just love the straight axel. But well see. Could i justy get a different axel that was built for coils? Then get 7" coils and radius arms. Also can i use the sway bar i already have on my truck? Thanks for your help.

ChrisR1S · Dec 4, 2010

Kid, I respect you want to lift your truck and all, but its not simple as you think to just "slap" a solid axle under a ranger, even if the axle is designed to use coils. Nothing of a SAS is bolt on, its all custom fabrication. And TTB it? Your '91 already has the TTB setup. Do yourself a favor and go to the tech library and readup in there...answers to all your questions are there and enough material to read for hours.

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

By ttb. It I ment lift it on the ttb instead. And I knOw fabricating is involved. My uncle is a professional welder for 30years so that's not a problem. I just wanna know what I'm doing before I do it. Gotta learn someday! Thanks

4x4junkie · Dec 4, 2010

Unless you're looking to swap to 1-tons out of an F-350, I'd say just stick with what's under there. It's a much sturdier setup than what some people think. Only real weak spot on it worth mentioning is the stock locking hubs, which it literally takes 15 seconds to swap a better Jeep hub in it's place once the tire is off... add maybe two minutes to that if you have the hubs affixed to the rotors with screws like some of us have done).

bobbywalter · Dec 4, 2010

pretty hard to justify swaping a d35 out for anything less then a 60 or some sort of 44 hybrid imo as well.

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

I see now... dana goes by the size of the gears and the axel. 35 is bigger and better then a danna 30. But if i lift that will i still need to buy longer radius arms?

bobbywalter · Dec 4, 2010

depends. longer arms improve ride...and articulation capacity.

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

well can i lift it 6" on stock arms?

bobbywalter · Dec 4, 2010

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

do you recommend it?

bobbywalter · Dec 4, 2010

depends...

if you only cruise with it and light wheel...very cost effective.

not a bad place to start.

Lift · Dec 4, 2010

alrighty then leafs and coils it is! Thanks everyone

Independent to dana 30 swap

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