Destroyer
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Milton, GA
Long story short, my old XJ got totalled out by an illegal so I'm rebuilding from scratch. One of my main complaints with my old setup was the front axle. D30 tubes bend easy, and I had put 3 sets of gears in it over the years. I have another HP30 sitting here ready to build as well as a complete HP44 out of an F250. The front axle in the old XJ was pretty well built for a 30 but it got bent in the wreck, however the gears, ARB, chromos and cover are salvageable. Both WJ knuckles and the steering got broke but I have another complete set of those laying around as well.
My issue with direct swapping the 44 is that it is way too wide, so I would have to narrow it to be in the ballpark with my 8.25 rear. I also do not like the design of the Ford brakes, and converting to the Chevy style isn't much better. I very much liked how it stopped before on WJ fronts and ZJ rears.
So do I:
A: Narrow the HP44, weld on some D30 C's with gussets and WJ knuckles, pick up some waggy, bronco or super 30 inners and run my old D30 stubs, buy ARB, buy gears
B: Narrow the 44 with stock old school brakes/hubs up front and spacer adapters in the rear, buy ARB, buy gears, buy wheels
C: Build another 30 with what I already got, and drive easier and roll on
I can see the D30 stubs being stronger than the 19spline D44 stuff, but the D30 C's weaker. D44 knuckles have the strength advantage over WJ by a little possibly, ball joints equal. I prefer unit bearings over wheel bearings, and don't really care as far as locking hubs go. May stay with 35's or possibly go back down to 33's.
Thoughts/input appreciated!
My issue with direct swapping the 44 is that it is way too wide, so I would have to narrow it to be in the ballpark with my 8.25 rear. I also do not like the design of the Ford brakes, and converting to the Chevy style isn't much better. I very much liked how it stopped before on WJ fronts and ZJ rears.
So do I:
A: Narrow the HP44, weld on some D30 C's with gussets and WJ knuckles, pick up some waggy, bronco or super 30 inners and run my old D30 stubs, buy ARB, buy gears
B: Narrow the 44 with stock old school brakes/hubs up front and spacer adapters in the rear, buy ARB, buy gears, buy wheels
C: Build another 30 with what I already got, and drive easier and roll on
I can see the D30 stubs being stronger than the 19spline D44 stuff, but the D30 C's weaker. D44 knuckles have the strength advantage over WJ by a little possibly, ball joints equal. I prefer unit bearings over wheel bearings, and don't really care as far as locking hubs go. May stay with 35's or possibly go back down to 33's.
Thoughts/input appreciated!