Four letter word ... JEEP ?

[Carlos Murphy]

I'm looking for a dana 30 to replace the 28 in my 88 Ranger.

I'm told a front diff from a XJ from 88 to 94 is what I need.

Which models are XJ's?

 

[Sunk]

That would be the Cherokee.

Some people may tell you that the D30 is a bit weak, but that choice is up to you.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

it is weak...weaker than the d35 used in later rangers...but technically stronger than his 28.

also, dont be under the impression that this is an easy swap. theres lots of fab work required...including fabricating brackets and welding to the frame.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I'm looking for a dana 30 to replace the 28 in my 88 Ranger.

I'm told a front diff from a XJ from 88 to 94 is what I need.

Which models are XJ's?

No you want a 95+, it has larger joints and no CAD.

 

[c_note]

i have 3 dana 30s in my possesion right now. one is complete and the other 2 are for parts. they came out of a 2005 tj wrangler. from what im told is that there are hardly any problems with the dana 30. its usually the dana 35 in jeeps that goes first according to all the jeep guys i know. my budy runs a dana 30 on his cj with a 360 V8 in it with 4.88 gears and a twin stick on 35 boggers. never broke anything and goes in some of the highest rated trails out here. i could sell them all to u for cheap however ur all the way in nv.

 

[rickcdewitt]

the main problem i've seen with the jeep axles is how thin the axle tubes and brackets are.my brother and a few friends have bent axle tubes and or brackets on their 30's,and he drives like my grandma.the reason i don't want one(i want to find an old school 44) is no lock-outs.my truck loses a lot of power at 60 when the hubs are left in and the unit bearing d30 would help you get horrible mileage.for the cost of the locking hub conversion and beefing the axle you could just get a 44 or early bronco 30 with real hubs

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I've got a wagoneer D44 i'm tryin to sell from CO. I'm willing to go cheap for a RBV owner. Set up for leafs, and i have everything up to the pitman arm.

 

[PaleBlue90]

i went with a hi pinion 30 out of a yj, ive got tj axles in it with 4.10s and a OX locker. i think if your easy on the skinn pedal ur fine

 

[blackbronc]

The gain of a 30 xj axle would be more than offset by the ease of a explorer d35. It will bolt in and be a lot easier than adapting a jeep axle. Jeepers swap 30s for 44s all the time and have for years. 30s are weak at the pinion and spiders but do have bigger axle u joints.

 

[alaskan155]

i belive the easiest route for a d30 swap is to use an xj axle, and a long arm setup for an xj like the rusty offroad setup, uses 2 long arms instead of 4, and maybe an xj trac bar, with ranger buckets, thats the setup i plan on modifing to work, that way when i get the money to upgrade and experince to need an upgraded axle the conversion is aleady done and they make d44 replacment axle already for the XJ

 

[stegomon]

what do you use the truck for....how do you weel....i have had no problems but one with the dana 35...and that is that it hangs up to easaly....very simple swap...no fab work but the front drive shaft must be cut down an inch....and you need a new inner tie rod... i think it is the driver side...but other than that it just swaps in...you could have it done in a few hours

 

[rickcdewitt]

they make d44 replacment axle already for the XJ

the jeep 44 has the same problems as the 30.thin tubes and unit bearings.

 

[Evan]

The Dana 35 TTB is a much stronger axle than the Jeep Dana 30 and has a lot more potential. You can do a knuckle swap on the D35, making it stronger than a Dana 44.

However, the D30 is a very nice axle. The later models can accept a Spicer 760X joint and run 35s locked without a problem.

I'd recommend for you a Dana 35, as it will be an easier swap and is a better axle.

 

[Carlos Murphy]

wheeling

It's my toy, I wheel mostly in the mountains, Nv. and Ca. Sierra's, some desert driving too.
I'm also kinda the support vehicle for my friends on their quads and bikes when I go out chasing them.

1988, 2.9, EFI, automatic, 33" Baja Claws, Revolver shackles, gas shocks, Richmond Lock Rite locker, Warn manual hub conversion, home made snorkle, gerry cans, farm jack, oversize roll bar with lights, pic and shovel, tool box, fire extinguishers, C/B, walki talkies, servival kit, first aid with snake bite kit, drinking water,winch kit, 8000 lb winch, 90 qubic foot (3000 psi) scuba tank with 15 foot hose, 8 ft. whip antenna for visibility and still improving on it.