Dana 30 SAS

[stevenf]

It seems like the Dana 30 would be my best route to take to replace my Dana 28 in my 89 BII.
Ive read on a few places that you can beef them up close to the Dana 44 strength, but none of them say how they did so.
Any ideas? I was thinking to replace the 27 spline axles and carrier but that defeats the purpose of using a Dana 30 to begin with.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Well it uses the same U-joints as the D35 TTB and D44, I like the D30 other than the unit bearings and lack of real hubs, I wouldn't hesitate to do an SAS with one if it had the warn hub conversion on it. The gears themselves are known to grenade though. Any reason a D35 wont work for you? They should also be trussed, the housings are thin!

 

[stevenf]

I just figured a SAS, locked , would be better for trail riding and also be easier to fix on a trail then the TTB.
Could you explain to me how the hubs are different from Dana 35 hubs? The weak bearings dont seem to be a problems since I would replace them during the build. Let me know.

 

[Ranger5.0]

a D35 has actual locking hubs. the D30 runs somthing call CAD. Central Axle disconect. Its not THAT bad. Its somthing that works well in therory. Ive seen a lota jeepers run with them and they never bother messing with the hubs. They just run a cable to he controler and ditch the vac' hose. AS for the bearings, they just cant take the beating and they are a unit bearing, same idea as a front wheel drive car and most new 4x4 trucks. Some ppl hate them, some dont care. I dont like them. Its nice to be able to repack your bearings after a dip in the drink

 

[mkpecor]

if your doin a SAS why not just put the d44 in, if your gunna do it, do the better set up. the d35 ttb is even stronger then the d30. if it was me i would do the d35ttb or the d44 . i just think the d30 is a wast of time. yor gunna spend alot of money makein it stronger then a d44.

 

[Ranger5.0]

it all depends on what kinda wheelin hes gonna do. Why run the extra weight if it realy isnt needed. a V6 35" tires and an open diff, it should survive ok.

 

[Hahnsb2]

The 95-up D30s (with the larger joints) don't have CAD, IMO the d35 is easier to work on, also if you bust a shaft on a D30 you must swap another one in since you need the shafts in or the bearings will come apart and if you leave a broken shaft in the axle it's going to flop around since there's no hubs to unlock.

 

[engdept]

Swap in a Dana 35 TTB, it is stronger and cheaper to build. To get a Dana 30 as strong as a STOCK Dana 44, you will spend $1,500+ on it.

 

[stevenf]

I will eventually run a 302 on 32" x 12-13" tires. How does lift hold up on the D35's? Wouldnt it make the axle width smaller the higher you lift?
I would like to do a D44 SAS but its very hard to come across early Broncos around here. If you do see one, its 90%+ restored. I saw a 1977 the other day that was on 38's and completely rhino lined for $15k.
The reason I was going with the D30 is because Cherokees and Wranglers are easy to come by around here, It would be the same width as the explorer 8.8, it would have a 4.5" bolt pattern, and I figured it would be stronger then a D35 TTB.

 

[phatdaddy]

Your Ttb Is A Stronger Then The Jeep Axles

 

[Ranger5.0]

the track width stays the same when you lift it. the lift lowers the axles mounting points. the D35 TTB is a prety solid axle. I have had minor issues but they were all caused by abuse.

 

[stevenf]

Ok, with the D35, I need to find a 91-94 explorer 4wd and take everything but the axle housing? Dont the carrier and axles fit in the D28 housing? Or should I just take everything? Are D35's wider then the D28's?

 

[engdept]

Ok, with the D35, I need to find a 91-94 explorer 4wd and take everything but the axle housing? Dont the carrier and axles fit in the D28 housing? Or should I just take everything? Are D35's wider then the D28's?

You should really find a '95-'97 Ranger Dana 35 TTB and take EVERYTHING including the beams. The Dana 35 stuff will NOT fit into the Dana 28 beams.

 

[stevenf]

You should really find a '95-'97 Ranger Dana 35 TTB and take EVERYTHING including the beams. The Dana 35 stuff will NOT fit into the Dana 28 beams.

Whats different between the 91-94 and the 95+ Dana 35's? Also, what spline are they and what spline are the D28's? Im trying to do a little comparing.

 

[JohnnyU]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4wd_Front_Axles.html