Jst bought our retirement vehicle, a 2016 JKU 75th anniversary Sahara. I have 2 1/2 years to get it the way we want it before retirement. It currently has 285/70r/17 tires and I would like to go to 315's. I know gearing and brakes will be an issue but what about the D30? I don't really do any 4 wheeling now other than the occasional corn field or creek bed during deer season. However when we retire the area is prone to Hurricanes and roads become washed out, recovery is measured in months not days. The axles could be subject to considerably more abuse. The plan is to add a 2.5" lift, larger brakes, 315's. and 4:10 gears. Do you think I should just bite the bullet and swap out the axle for a D44?

 

You should be fine with the dana 30 and those tires. I can't ever remember a hurricane hitting Moline when I lived in Champaign.

 

IMO depends on how you're going to approach your build. Are you going to build it "good enough" or are you going to build it right. I'm not trying to be a snob, I've built them both ways

So my vote is to go new axle.


Our youngest kids just graduated high school so we just built a JK to be our empty-nest-mobile. Here's a link to that build if you want to check out how we approached a similar decision.
LINK

Good luck!!!

 

There isn't any real difference between the D30 and (stock)D44 other than the ring gear diameter.

 

If you decide 4.10 is what you want, keep an eye open for take-off axles from a rubicon with that came with them (verify the year/ratio, I think 2012+ can be either 3.73 or 4.10). The housings themselves won't be an improvement, but it will give you a front d44, electric lockers, and slightly upgraded axle shafts. You may get lucky and find a relatively inexpensive set, when compared to the cost of just regearing.

 

D30 will be fine for your plans. If anything, set the money aside and if you break it, then start looking at the HD D44 options. It doesn't need fixing until it's broken is my philosophy.

 

Hoping to get to the Islands before there is one large enough to hit Moline!

 

That is an awesome build! Way more than I am willing to invest though. All I am really concerned with is getting to town and back without breaking an axle or ... if there is another storm season like last year and the roads are washed out

 

The "abuse" you think it'll see with washed out roads isn't the kind of abuse that warrants a heavier duty axle. You won't be slamming around on rocks nor will you be doing 30-40mph and catch a curb the wrong way. I've been on 35's with my d30 for a while and the only issue is that big tires and routine off-road likes to eat up ball joints- but, they did last longer than they should have based on the hell I put the jeep through.


Upgrade the brakes and enjoy it. You can do ball joints as it becomes necessary. Steering should be a higher priority for you.

 

Thanks, I was hoping for a real experience answer. I'll move on to the brakes and lift now