ISO Dana 44 front from jk

Rayzor said instead of building up the d30  looking for dana44 from jk for the front and cost if someone should have one thinking im just going to max out on 37s thanks   

I was just reading up on budget builds of axles and a lot of people have been using the HP Dana 30 from the jeep cherokee cause the high pinion makes it stronger. They say it's as good as a Dana 44 although I don't know how true that is

Everything depends on tire size and how hard you wheel or how smart/dumb you drive.

You are always going to read crazy stories about how people think Dana 30s can be as strong as Dana 44s, and Dana 44s can be as strong as Dana 60s. Everybody wants to think they have a short cut but really down deep they all know the truth and are wishing they upgraded to the bigger axle. All things being equal; D60>D44>D30. End of discussion.

Now the real question to ask is what is in your budget and what is going to hold up to your tires and wheeling style. A Dana 30 might suit your needs perfectly and will save you money. By the same token, a Dana 60 might be overkill for you and waste a lot of your money. You don't need to over-build but you definitely shouldn't under-build and have everybody waiting around while you fix your rig yet again. I can tell you through extensive experience that a Dana 44, built properly, with quality components will hold up to 37s and some pretty dang hard wheeling. It is a good compromise between budget and piece of mind.

We all want D70s, Hemis, and 42" tires. But I know my budget won't allow such things. So I build to my means and what I expect to do with the Jeep. Sometimes I have to remind myself that "good enough" is good enough.

JohnDF said Everything depends on tire size and how hard you wheel or how smart/dumb you drive. You are always going to read crazy stories about how people think Dana 30s can be as strong as Dana 44s, and Dana 44s can be as strong as Dana 60s. Everybody wants to think they have a short cut but really down deep they all know the truth and are wishing they upgraded to the bigger axle. All things being equal; D60>D44>D30. End of discussion. Now the real question to ask is what is in your budget and what is going to hold up to your tires and wheeling style. A Dana 30 might suit your needs perfectly and will save you money. By the same token, a Dana 60 might be overkill for you and waste a lot of your money. You don't need to over-build but you definitely shouldn't under-build and have everybody waiting around while you fix your rig yet again. I can tell you through extensive experience that a Dana 44, built properly, with quality components will hold up to 37s and some pretty dang hard wheeling. It is a good compromise between budget and piece of mind. We all want D70s, Hemis, and 42" tires. But I know my budget won't allow such things. So I build to my means and what I expect to do with the Jeep. Sometimes I have to remind myself that "good enough" is good enough.  

Very well said!!!

Building by my means also

just figured it would be more cost effective to go to d44 instead of chromolys and truss and wait for it to give in

Rayzor said Building by my means also  just figured it would be more cost effective to go to d44 instead of chromolys and truss and wait for it to give in  

Just remember that you'll have to tube and gusset the JK front D44 also.

Not sure why Jeep, in all their wisdom, built a very solid rear D44 and such a flimsy front D44 for the JKs.

Will do that never even thought of sleeving the 44

should I still go with chromolies?

Rayzor said Will do that never even thought of sleeving the 44 should I still go with chromolies?  

Since it will be out of the vehicle, just truss it.  Sleeves are easier since they dont require pulling the axle from the vehicle but a truss will bridge the center section.  Shafts will depend on tire size, engine power, and how heavy your right foot is.  JK 44s got a larger u-joint than typical half ton dana 44s (5-7166x vs 5-760x) so you can get a decent life out of the stock front shafts.

JohnDF said Everything depends on tire size and how hard you wheel or how smart/dumb you drive. You are always going to read crazy stories about how people think Dana 30s can be as strong as Dana 44s, and Dana 44s can be as strong as Dana 60s. Everybody wants to think they have a short cut but really down deep they all know the truth and are wishing they upgraded to the bigger axle. All things being equal; D60>D44>D30. End of discussion. Now the real question to ask is what is in your budget and what is going to hold up to your tires and wheeling style. A Dana 30 might suit your needs perfectly and will save you money. By the same token, a Dana 60 might be overkill for you and waste a lot of your money. You don't need to over-build but you definitely shouldn't under-build and have everybody waiting around while you fix your rig yet again. I can tell you through extensive experience that a Dana 44, built properly, with quality components will hold up to 37s and some pretty dang hard wheeling. It is a good compromise between budget and piece of mind. We all want D70s, Hemis, and 42" tires. But I know my budget won't allow such things. So I build to my means and what I expect to do with the Jeep. Sometimes I have to remind myself that "good enough" is good enough.  

JohnDF said Everything depends on tire size and how hard you wheel or how smart/dumb you drive. You are always going to read crazy stories about how people think Dana 30s can be as strong as Dana 44s, and Dana 44s can be as strong as Dana 60s. Everybody wants to think they have a short cut but really down deep they all know the truth and are wishing they upgraded to the bigger axle. All things being equal; D60>D44>D30. End of discussion. Now the real question to ask is what is in your budget and what is going to hold up to your tires and wheeling style. A Dana 30 might suit your needs perfectly and will save you money. By the same token, a Dana 60 might be overkill for you and waste a lot of your money. You don't need to over-build but you definitely shouldn't under-build and have everybody waiting around while you fix your rig yet again. I can tell you through extensive experience that a Dana 44, built properly, with quality components will hold up to 37s and some pretty dang hard wheeling. It is a good compromise between budget and piece of mind. We all want D70s, Hemis, and 42" tires. But I know my budget won't allow such things. So I build to my means and what I expect to do with the Jeep. Sometimes I have to remind myself that "good enough" is good enough.  

Good comments John. We have a Dynatrac front 44, which is substantially more heavy duty than the stock unit & has held up so far with some heavy use. We plan to possibly swap the rear axles for some chrome moly units & maybe go with a 60 sometime in the future. You're correct in saying the 60 outweights the means, but sometimes the necessity outweighs that, as your driving habits & equipment will dictate those requirements.