jeep xj front dana 30 swap?

[lzarnch]

has anyone done this? i looked in the tech library couldnt find anything? if youve done this let me know? im looking foward to do this, so...

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
Its been talked about quite a bit. It really depends on the plans for your truck. Anything over 33" tires and the D30 starts breaking things.

This here will get you started.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/search.php?searchid=100522&photoplog_searchinfo=1&photoplog_searchquery=Jeep+Axle+Dana

 

[hitech_hick]

What are your plans for this rig? It can be done, it has been done, the question remains "is it right for you?"




hick

 

[lzarnch]

well i plan leaving 33's under it for now unitl i have everything to do the complete 1/2 ton drivetrain (302, d44, 9in, c6, np205) but i was looking into it and to make a d30 have manuel hubs it cost like $1,300, and then to put the better axles and u-joints, another $500-$600, then to re gear it another $250, then a locker another $500.... i coult get a d60 for that much and not worry about anything over 33's

 

[lzarnch]

link didnt work..

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
There is deffinatley something to be said for doing it right the first time. If you have an end goal in mind, then go for it. But you don't want to dump a bunch of money into something that you are gonna replace in a few months anyway.

 

[Evan]

Here is my humble opinion on a D30 swap:

1. If you already have a D35: You're out of your mind. The D30 is a fairly large downgrade from the D35. Complete waste of money.

2. If you have a D28: The D30 will be an upgrade, but why not swap in a D35 TTB instead? It's stronger, and it's an easier and cheaper swap. If you're going to spend time and money on a SAS, why not go with a 44 or a 60 and get some bang for your buck and return on all the hard work?

 

[Jim Oaks]

link didnt work..

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana30.htm

....not a how too, but will help get you started.

 

[c_note]

ima get started pretty soon on the swap. i piecing everything together before i start tearng things apart. the only thing i really need to figure out is if the xj steering box will work but i can can also use a toyota box.

 

[hitech_hick]

ima get started pretty soon on the swap. i piecing everything together before i start tearng things apart. the only thing i really need to figure out is if the xj steering box will work but i can can also use a toyota box.

What is wrong with a Ranger steering box?


hick

 

[Hahnsb2]

What is wrong with a Ranger steering box?


hick

Probably something to do with his truck having IFS and not TTB...

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
IIRC, the newer rangers (98+??) used a rack and pinion steering setup as opposed to a traditional steering gearbox.

 

[c_note]

Yo,
IIRC, the newer rangers (98+??) used a rack and pinion steering setup as opposed to a traditional steering gearbox.

yes indeed! and from what i have researched, its best to use a steering box that goes on the outside of the frame due to space. i think i can make the xj box work tho. well see!

 

[hitech_hick]

well i plan leaving 33's under it for now unitl i have everything to do the complete 1/2 ton drivetrain (302, d44, 9in, c6, np205) but i was looking into it and to make a d30 have manuel hubs it cost like $1,300, and then to put the better axles and u-joints, another $500-$600, then to re gear it another $250, then a locker another $500.... i coult get a d60 for that much and not worry about anything over 33's

If you are looking at this as a temporary swap then the best advice I can give it to keep it simple. Find a HP D30 with 4.10's, swap in junkyard shafts and x760 series u-joints if it doesn't already have them, if you need more traction, throw a lunch box locker in it, and if you are worried about the housing, truss it and weld some scrap onto the diff cover as armor. With everything that I have listed, you should have less than $500 into the axle, including the cost of the axle and it should work just fine for 33's. The law of diminishing returns has a quite steep curve with the Dana 30, putting much more into it than what I listed is really a waste. Fourwheeler Magazine has an article in their latest issue about a low-buck D30 build that is pushing around 33's, you might want to have a look at it for a few ideas. Hopefully this gives you a few ideas, personally I wouldn't waste my time with a D30 (mostly because I don't have a whole lot of time to waste right now) but that doesn't mean that this setup won't work for you. Good luck...


hick

 

[mkpecor]

some whare on here i was reading it is not realy worth it at all, i was thinkin about doin the d30 and changed my mind when i was doon reading the post, so i hunted down a D35/8.8 out of a 92 explorer, since you have a 86 BII the D35 will go in so easy, its six boults, and you would have a way stronger set up, go on craig slist and put in ford explorer parts, thats what i did and got the D35 hub to hub/ 8.8 drum to drum/ leaf springs and all tie rods for $150 so just look around you will find them.