axle question

[Hasbell94]

I have a Dana 30 front axle from a early bronco(66-71) that is all stock with 4.11 gears and a open differential. is there any upgrades i can do to it to strengthen it a little.

 

[yostyexplorer94]

Probably the best upgrade would be to scrap it and get at least a dana 44. You would save yourself money in the long run if you are looking to wheel. My dad destroyed 2 ring gears in his dana 30 early bronco on 29" tires and a very tired 302 v8 plowing snow. Not worth the time or money in my opinion.

 

[Hasbell94]

The problem is I don't want to build another axle and I like my Dana 30 in my daily driver. I would like to be able to use a jeep locker and axle for a little more strength.

And I've never actually seen one of these axles break even with 35's.

 

[Hasbell94]

would cj axles fit for bigger ujoints.

 

[4x4junkie]

And I've never actually seen one of these axles break even with 35's.

I have... I've seen plenty of them break with even 33" tires (and they weren't the very weak EB D30 like what you have, but rather the "better" HP Jeep D30s).

If you plan to keep small 235/75R15 tires or something similar size, then you may be able to get that D30 to hold up reasonably OK. But forget about big tires (problem is the weak LP ring & pinion gears, there's little you can do to strengthen them other than maybe doing a cryogenic treatment on them, but IMO, it's just not worth it on that axle since the housings are not all that strong either).

Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but there's a reason people get rid of those for D44s or better (it's quite very possible the axle you currently have under your truck now is worlds better than that D30 too, so you're probably better off just leaving things alone for now).