12:12 pm
August 28, 2011
Offline
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
8:44 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline Rayzor said
instead of building up the d30looking 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
5:08 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline 
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.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
10:52 am
July 14, 2016
Offline 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!!!
12:31 pm
August 28, 2011
Offline 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
1:41 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Rayzor said
Building by my means alsojust 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.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
5:09 pm
August 28, 2011
Offline Will do that never even thought of sleeving the 44
should I still go with chromolies?
5:54 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline Rayzor said
Will do that never even thought of sleeving the 44should 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.
8:39 am
Club Member
August 17, 2014
Offline 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.
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