Sleeved and gussetted D30 strong enough to rock crawl with 37" tires?
#12
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As said above,drive smart and you'll be fine,drive hard and things will break.People break everything from From Dana30's to 5 ton Rockwells.Gotta know your limits
#13
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Subscribed as well. I plan on upgrading to 35's on a 2.5" lift and got the impression that axle sleeves/C gussets were essential.
I've since read that many are off-roading on 37's with the D30-no sleeves/C gussets.
Is a D30 sleeve/C gusset upgrade priority with what I want to do?
I've since read that many are off-roading on 37's with the D30-no sleeves/C gussets.
Is a D30 sleeve/C gusset upgrade priority with what I want to do?
#15
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Ultimately the sleeves and c's will bring the housing strength up to par with a bigger axle. The one thing it will not improve is your gear strength. If you look at the TJ guys, they have been running 4.56 gears in Dana 30's with no issues. But on here the 3.8L guys are complaining about the gears failing in the 30's, many of which are stuffing 5.13 gears into them. Go with a taller axle ratio and the 30 will survive... Though you may need to invest in a Rubi Crawler to get the final ratio you need.
#18
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Ultimately the sleeves and c's will bring the housing strength up to par with a bigger axle. The one thing it will not improve is your gear strength. If you look at the TJ guys, they have been running 4.56 gears in Dana 30's with no issues. But on here the 3.8L guys are complaining about the gears failing in the 30's, many of which are stuffing 5.13 gears into them. Go with a taller axle ratio and the 30 will survive... Though you may need to invest in a Rubi Crawler to get the final ratio you need.
#19
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The problem with going with a larger gear set over a 4.56 like the TJ guys used is that you are not getting much tooth contact between the ring gear and pinion gear and that is a huge issue. I would never go any bigger that a 4.88 in a JK and that is only due to it being a high pinion axle and you are gaining some strength because you are rotating on the coast side on the gear.
If you need 5.13 or higher than you need a 44 or larger.....
In my TJ I ran 4.56 gears, chromo axle shafts and a hub kit in my 30 along with 38" swampers and never had a break and I ran everything Moab had to throw at me.
If you need 5.13 or higher than you need a 44 or larger.....
In my TJ I ran 4.56 gears, chromo axle shafts and a hub kit in my 30 along with 38" swampers and never had a break and I ran everything Moab had to throw at me.
#20
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Thanks for all the input, everyone... much appreciated. I'm going with the advice that it's as much about how you wheel as anything else. My buddy has a TJ with a completely stock front axle, 5.13 ratio, and 40-inch tires and has never had an issue. He's pretty cautious on that gas pedal.