Well I got 33s and a dana 30 I could make a bet that one day when I am wheeling I will break this thing, so Should I beef it up or just get a 44 when it goes.

And if there are ways to beef up a D30 what have some of you done.

 

I'm of the opinion that wheel the D30 it till it breaks, and save up for a D44 as a replacement when it finally does. I have also been thinking of going the Built D44 route rather than the Rubicon D44 drop in. Dynatrac has a nice D44 housing with real D44 tube thickness and stronger Cs, drop in an ARB locker, the gear ratio of your choice, and a set of shafts that have CV joints, and you will end up with a extramly stout axle . . . way stronger than a stock Rubi front D44, and for not a ton more money.

 

You could beef up the axle shafts, but that only shifts the weak point to the ring and pinion. If you really want a stronger axle, I would go with the 44. That said, Porters' point is a good one.

 

first off, with just 33's, i doubt you'll be breaking your d30 anytime soon especially if it's not locked. granted, if you're reckless and heavy on the gas, anything is possible.

having said that, i agree with the others that wheeling till you need something more is the better way to go and at that time, a prorock44 is what i would recommend. CV joint shafts are very strong and while you won't be blowing out any joints, this doesn't mean you won't break anything else like a r&p as mentioned or even the shaft itself. for me, i personally would prefer to have my breaks outside of the axle than inside as an internal break means you're gonna have a bad day. trust me, i've been there on more than one occasion.

 

If you're thinking of breaking your D30 with 33's tires that means that you have a heavy foot... I ran 33's with no problems in some good places, now I'm running 35's and still no problems... then you should start thinkin in the D60...

 

I don't have a heavy foot, I am just think with 3 1/2 back spacing may stress the parts along with the 33s. I think I may break it because I seen a guy on this site that had pictures of his D30 tore up from driving in snow.

I am not going to spend that kind of money on a D44 unless I do break it.

But if I can upgrad without spend a whole heck of alot I think I will.... On that note, do you think regearing is a good idea with the D30 or save my money and go D44 when I want to regear.
Thanks for the replys

 

I gotta regeared locked d30 and keep spare stock axles. Rolled on 35's for a year and a half, several off road trips, no breakage. Rollin on 37's now, haven't broke nuthin yet, oh my jk is covered in mud right now btw.

 

I have seen the rubi 44 break with 33's also, but with that said you cant judge an axle's strength because one guy broke it in the snow with 33's. (I think I know who you are talking about)
You can break any axle in a lot of different situations, sometimes things just break!

But it sounds like you are asking for different opinions which is going to vary big time, some people think you cant wheel with anything less then D60's or even 14 bolts and some poeple are fine with the old D30 and D35.

Some people even think you cant wheel at all with out lockers!

Lockers and 60's are awesome and can be very helpful but if you use skill more then just the skinny pedal you can accomplish a lot more then most people realize.

I have several Jeeps at all different stages of Lockers, V8, 60's, gears, lift and etc... and I can say the MOST IMPORTANT thing is the driver!

anway to answer the other part of your question here is what I have done to my D30 to help it survive.

Factory 10 Chromoly shafts with full circle clips, G2 5:13's, Front Detroit

 

No shit, good post!

 

I can dig it