ChiefJosh Posted February 9, 2007 Posted February 9, 2007 I'm toying with the idea of swaping in a different D30 instead of changing the gears in the one I've got. I can pick one from the U-Pull-It for $40-50, which is much less than the parts and labor for new gears. Can I upgrade to one without the vacuum disconnect 4wd? If so, how does the 4wd engage on it? Or am I better off staying with the vac system? I know I could just upgrade to the better shafts or u-joints, but what are the benefits and disadvantages of this? Any tech links?
carnuck Posted February 9, 2007 Posted February 9, 2007 It's the same axle, only without the vacuum crap. It's the tcase that engages 4x4. The axle disco was a feeble attempt at saving fuel.
comancheman Posted February 9, 2007 Posted February 9, 2007 the non disco d30 also has a pretty lame uca mount. my buddy just toasted his in an accident. id stick with the disco.
87manche Posted February 9, 2007 Posted February 9, 2007 the non disco mount is fine if you've got a welder. Make sure it's fully welded to the tube, then box it in front and rear and it's plenty strong.
ChiefJosh Posted February 10, 2007 Author Posted February 10, 2007 Sorry, no welder. I wish. I haven't had any problems with the one in my XJ (it's a 98). We'll see. It's not much cash, but it is more time. Time is in short supply lately.
Pete M Posted February 10, 2007 Posted February 10, 2007 Getting the right gears is the most important thing. CAD or no CAD is secondary since both axles are arguably the same strength and most of the axles you find out there will still have the smaller joints in them.
ChiefJosh Posted February 10, 2007 Author Posted February 10, 2007 Is there any way to tell which of the D30's have the stronger u-joints in them?
Pete M Posted February 10, 2007 Posted February 10, 2007 Look for ABS. I don't remember which year was the start (89? 92?), but ABS XJs after that should have the 297 joints. And I think it's 97 where all XJs got the 297s. If anyone has the exact info, feel free to chime in. :D
Twisty Posted February 10, 2007 Posted February 10, 2007 Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - used 84-99 (some axles through 91 are vacuum disconnect, 92+ are non-disconnect, 89-95 with ABS have 5-297x u-joints, all 95+ have 5-297x u-joints, all others have 5-260x u-joints)
Pete M Posted February 10, 2007 Posted February 10, 2007 For what it's worth, car-part.com shows CADs available through 93.
Oizarod115 Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 For what it's worth, car-part.com shows CADs available through 93. YJs still had the disconnect til the end. any 95 YJ should technically have 5-297x joints in it. (good luck finding one in the yard tho)
DirtyComanche Posted February 11, 2007 Posted February 11, 2007 YJ is also low pinion AFAIK. Nah. YJs are HP. They gayed over the TJ axles. But he doesn't want the housing, jsut the shafts. I hope. Unless he likes leaf springs!
Eagle Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 YJ is also low pinion AFAIK. Nah. YJs are HP. They gayed over the TJ axles. But he doesn't want the housing, jsut the shafts. I hope. Unless he likes leaf springs! I thought he wanted the entire axle, so he wouldn't have to set up a different ratio in his front differential.
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