straight axle swap

[CreepyCrawler]

been thinking of a straight axle swap. want to eventually run 60F/70HD rear...but thts later in life. rt now i have a fullwidth 8.8 off my old f150 with 488s,31spline shafts, disk brakes, and detroit locker.
id like to run a hp44F but i cant find one in my price range.
was also thinking of putting in a hp30 from a jeep xj w/ 488s, aussie locker, 30 spline shafts, and adapter spacers. im really only trying to run 33-35's for the time being. im trying to decide whether itd be worth it or not to just save up for the 44 and then build that or just drop a 30 (since theyre more abundant in my area) in until i move to a 60 . any input would be appreciated thanks

 

[gribly]

Sounds like you already know what you should do. How's your driving style when you're out wheeling? If you're like me, don't get the '30. What about throwing the '44 knuckles and u-joints on the existing '35 in your truck? That wouldn't be an SAS but you'd have the strength you want for now...

 

[CreepyCrawler]

well the truck as is and after this will still be a dd for a while my primary trail rig for now. as far as taking the truck offroad im not hard on it. im on the coast too so cant be but so hard on it haha. i didnt realize i could swap the knuckles though ill have to look into tht

 

[CreepyCrawler]

now i might be getting ahold of a hpd50. hope the cash+trade goes through.

 

[dangerranger83]

I wouldnt put 4.88's in a D30 myself, the pinion head would be so small, if they even make 4.88's for a D30 that is.

 

[brinker88]

Too bad you're so far away...I'd sell you my SAS'ed F150 with D60FF rear and D44 HP 8 lug front for $1500 (use the axles and scrap the rest for all I care lol

 

[CreepyCrawler]

whts the lug pattern on a d50? is it tht metric amount tht ford uses on the newer 60's or is it 8x6.5

 

[XionicWaste]

I wouldnt put 4.88's in a D30 myself, the pinion head would be so small, if they even make 4.88's for a D30 that is.

Ive got alot of jeep buddys and one guy who SAS's D30's all the time for his fabrication business and you surly can get 4.88's for a D30 and with chromo shafts you can run 37's all day. Dont forget this is a front axle were talking about. I would truss a D30 before running 35's with a locker but with an open diff you wouldnt have to worry. People hate on the D30's but in reality they arent that bad of an axle... The tube is super small but if you did a super 30 kit you would be fine up to 37's. My 2 cents.

 

[CreepyCrawler]

well the sale went through on the d50. goin to pick it up today. trying to find a rear for it now. was thinking d60hd or a sterling 10.25/10.5 wht are peoples opinions? also im aware the 10.5 has 35 spline shafts does anyone know the bolt pattern and pinion yoke size?

 

[CreepyCrawler]

i loved my d30 on my yj. i did 488's in it, 30 spline 1 piece chromoly shafts (vac elimnated) and an aussie locker. swapped the rear for an 8.8 31 spline 488's disk brakes and detroit locker. idk why people hate on the d30 its an awesome ft end for easy trail riding and then getting on it a little.

 

[CreepyCrawler]

picked up the d50 today. clean besides a little surface rust. 410 gears already in it. feelin pretty accomplished will try to get pics up soon

 

[CreepyCrawler]

wht parts are interchangeable between d50 solid axles and d60s?

 

[4x4junkie]

i idk why people hate on the d30 its an awesome ft end for easy trail riding and then getting on it a little.

For what it is, it's not a bad axle, however many RBV guys (myself included) look down on them because they are a significant step backwards in numerous ways from what the truck comes stock with (or can literally be bolted in). People tend to get sucked up into the "solid axle" hype that's out there and start thinking it's some kind of a miracle axle when it really isn't.
The HP D35 TTB frontend will easily go the places you could take a D30 when it's built right (and then some, as speed picks up), plus there are more gearing options available for the HP D35 than any D30 as well. Then the fact it has actual locking hubs, and on & on.
Those insisting on a SAS would do much better to seek out at minimum a D44 or better (as you've done with the D50).



As for parts compatibility between the SA D50 and D60, everything but the differential innards and the inner axle shafts should swap between it and '99-'04 D60s.

 

[CreepyCrawler]

ima find a way to make it possible. i think im going to aget on ACAD haha. are you sure theres more gearing options for the 35 and the 30 i thought they both went as low as 488s

 

[legoms013]

ima find a way to make it possible. i think im going to aget on ACAD haha. are you sure theres more gearing options for the 35 and the 30 i thought they both went as low as 488s

IIRC Nitro makes 5.13's for the D35 TTB