So here is what my delima is. I bought a Sahara as I like the painted fenders, running boards, and the 18" wheels. Here is what I have in my shop to install. Five KM2 35"x 12.50 on a set of 18" motometal 954's, I bought TPMS sensors for all 5 (I plane to buy a second set of 35's for the stock wheels for winter), a FT 3" ultimate, and set of 5.13 gears. I went and took the front tires off and am very scared of that small front axle. It looks like if I hit a pot hole it is going to bend break. Let alone that ring and pinion that are half the size and strength of the rear. I thought I was going to be OK as a dont beat shit up. Am I just asking for trouble? What should I do. I should have bought a Rubi but dont actually like the look of them compared to the Sahara. Please dont take offense as I know it is king in the off road world. Should I trade it in and take the hit? Buy the front Rubi axle and then want the rear for the locker also? Can I buy the factory elocker and axles for my rear? I have spent a bunch of money and it doesn't seem to stop, and I have a shop full of parts. Im lost and confused what to do.

 

put the parts in and wheel the crap outta it, ive got a combined 60,000 miles on our jk's with no axle problems and we both wheel hard. we also spend at least 3-4 days a month wheeling, still no problems.

by the way your going to love those km2's

 

I plan to drive mine until it breaks. Then replace it with something big. Super 44 or 1-tons....so in a way, I cant wait until it breaks ...but I dont think Ill try too hard on purpose.

 

you'll be alright, especially since you're easy on it. The 30 isn't all that bad and should hold up to 35's without a prob. I know some guys on here run 37s on the dana 30... anywho, good luck

 

You should be ok with the D30 front if you're not too hard on it. Otherwise, I would go with the front D44. It's a relatively cheap upgrade for what you get.

 

finesse is the key here....

guys up here run 35 on the old 30 in their TJ's and no problems

if you hammer down all the time that is where you have problems

 

Well that makes me feel a little better. I just dont want to pay for the gears and set up and then be redoing it soon and have to gear a d44. Modding this Jeep is sure having a snowball effect, hell its more like an avalanche!

 

I'm with the rest of them, you'll be fine. I've been out every weekend for two month's straight with no problems. Rock's, mud, sand no problems.

 

if your like me, then its your DD. i plan to buy the superior chromo shafts and keep the stocks as trail spares as soon as $$ permits. its cheaper than buying the D44 front & regearing it.

 

I just had an ARB locker installed in my d44 rear of my Sahara and left the front open. I did the regear and plan to wheel with finesse. If the d 30 does break I will go with the new d44 and elocker from mopar. I really plan on the 30 lasting me a while with some smart driving. I am running 35's and have had no issues.