Safari Pacific MX2 Build

[kris97ranger]

plus its easy to go to a dana 44 later on if u need it

 

[MountainMike]

Had to catch back up on the build Travis, shame about the damage but I like what you're doing to fix it.

I'm sure you've already said this but how far south and north do you plan on going?

 

[schanusa]

Pulled apart the D30 and yeah, way smaller than I thought it was. Ring gear looks smaller than the ford 7.5 rear. Need to rethink everything especially if I go to a D44 I'll have the 5 on 5 bolt pattern up front. I'd like all the wheels to match.

 

[Shran]

You can build a D30 up pretty well, buddy of mine runs 37's on his with an ARB and has chromoly shafts and stuff in it. Does alright.

If you do the D44 route, you can use mid 70's Dodge pickup or Ram Charger knuckles out for 5x4.5 bolt pattern... most of the Dodge trucks from that era are 5x5.5 but the 5x4.5 ones DO exist. You would have to convert them to lockout hubs.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

wagoneer d-44's arent much wider than factory axle's and you could just run spacer's/ adapter's on the rear wheel's to match the bolt pattern( six lug) or swap out for the early dodge hub's as listed. I would think the dana 44 would be easier to find parts for if you were to break down and not be close to any part's store's I.E. axle shaft's, spindle's, wheel bearing's and what not. im not sure how hard you wheel this but im sure on some of the unimproved road's it can get pretty rough if your allready breaking spindle's

looks like that dana 30 has the C.A.D. as well

 

[MountainMike]

What about a D44 out of a Wrangler?

And I know the super30 kit can make the D30 into a seriously strong axle, the way to go is start with a high pinion one out of a Cherokee. Chromoly axle shaft help a lot. In the Jeeper circle they don't mind the D30 up front as much its the D35 out back that blow fat chunks.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16120_450.htm
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/yukon-dana-alloy-axle-with-super-joints-p-7328.html

 

[dieseldane]

Pulled apart the D30 and yeah, way smaller than I thought it was. Ring gear looks smaller than the ford 7.5 rear. Need to rethink everything especially if I go to a D44 I'll have the 5 on 5 bolt pattern up front. I'd like all the wheels to match.

If you could find one, a D44 out of a Jeep TJ Rubicon would work great. 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, and a selectable locker to boot.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

werent the all rubi's 5 x 5 bolt pattern i know the latest generation of them is... I also remember hearing that they arent a true D44 more of a hybrid.

 

[schanusa]

From what I've seen the new wranglers are 5 on 5. Though there hard to find here in az. All of our junkyards have been converted to a used parts store essentially and they want as much as the part is worth new. There's only 3 I know of that are the old fashion yards but non of them have anything beyond 99. Jeeps are the first to get yanked apart as well.

I'll be headed up to Utah to be picking up a truck so I'll stop by the yards up there. Last time I did they had tons more than az yards.

I may have to put the axle swap on hold too. The motor clunking is getting louder. Just put some heavier weight oil in the motor to make it last a bit longer. Unfortunately I may have to just rebuild the 4 banger as I still haven't found a diesel.

 

[dieseldane]

All wranglers 06 and older are 5x4.5, regardless of model. The newer wranglers, or JK's are all 5x5 bolt pattern.

 

[scott5640]

yeah, i just had a jk..i hated having the 5x5 lug pattern...you should definetly get a 44 from the tjs...locked front and rear if you go with a rio grande(92-95) jeep tho

 

[schanusa]

The motor committed suicide last Thursday and now sitting half pulled apart at the shop. I'm starting to get tired of working on the thing and not getting anywhere.

 

[schanusa]

Some photos of tearing the motor apart and front suspension.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

please, please post all the pics and info u can about that SAS, since i want to do the same on my truck next year, and i want to get a good idea of what ill be dealing with, since yours would be the first 98+ 2WD swap i see with detailed pics. i assume u will go with coil springs? and whats the estimated height?

good luck and keep up the good work

 

[schanusa]

please, please post all the pics and info u can about that SAS, since i want to do the same on my truck next year, and i want to get a good idea of what ill be dealing with, since yours would be the first 98+ 2WD swap i see with detailed pics. i assume u will go with coil springs? and whats the estimated height?

good luck and keep up the good work

I definitely will. There's a 2008 on another ranger forum. Can't remember where but he's got some good info. He does need some better pics though. I'll post after I find it again. I was planning on leafs for simplicity, but after yanking everything apart I may do coils. Cutting and plating the old coil buckets will be a pain and weaken the frame. That and the engine support will have to be cut out. I'm hoping only lifting 3 inches more, so 6 overall from stock. I want to keep it fairly low since I have a high center of gravity.