shanesaw
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Ramona, CA
Vehicle: '87 4.0 Auto, NP242, 31" tires.
I’m about to regear my d30 and will need a new carrier to get down to a 4:10 ratio. Before I pull the trigger on a locker for the front axle I’m just trying to get a few things clear in my head to decide whether I should buy a 27 or 30-spline carrier.
Is the 27-spline option strong enough (considering I’m running 31’s and don’t ever plan on going bigger) to reliably operate with a locker, or is the added hassle related to the extras needed to run 30-spline worth the extra expense?
As I understand it, converting to a 30-spline axle set requires adding an aftermarket outer/unit bearing, and swapping out the brake rotors for Wrangler rotors (presumably due to clearance issues). Are there any other necessary changes?
Also, is the aftermarket the only place to get a 30-spline unit bearing for a D30? (i.e. Does another Jeep like a YJ or TJ run a D30 with 30-spline outer bearings as stock that will work on a XJ D30?)
From reading the Dana 30 Tech writeup that Crash did, (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=70422&highlight=axles+for+rocks) I understand that putting a 30-spline axle in will leave the R&P as the weak link in the system. Am I incorrect in thinking that is the better option for cost of replacement as well as trail driveability in the case of a failure?
I’m about to regear my d30 and will need a new carrier to get down to a 4:10 ratio. Before I pull the trigger on a locker for the front axle I’m just trying to get a few things clear in my head to decide whether I should buy a 27 or 30-spline carrier.
Is the 27-spline option strong enough (considering I’m running 31’s and don’t ever plan on going bigger) to reliably operate with a locker, or is the added hassle related to the extras needed to run 30-spline worth the extra expense?
As I understand it, converting to a 30-spline axle set requires adding an aftermarket outer/unit bearing, and swapping out the brake rotors for Wrangler rotors (presumably due to clearance issues). Are there any other necessary changes?
Also, is the aftermarket the only place to get a 30-spline unit bearing for a D30? (i.e. Does another Jeep like a YJ or TJ run a D30 with 30-spline outer bearings as stock that will work on a XJ D30?)
From reading the Dana 30 Tech writeup that Crash did, (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=70422&highlight=axles+for+rocks) I understand that putting a 30-spline axle in will leave the R&P as the weak link in the system. Am I incorrect in thinking that is the better option for cost of replacement as well as trail driveability in the case of a failure?