I need help planning my next line of upgrades. As she sits now there's about 20k in parts alone dropped into her. I want to make the best decision for the next couple of grand that she's gonna see. Hopefully with this round she will be complete.

Jeep upgrade list

1. RiverRaider JK weld-in sport cage kit
2. Artec industries D30 axle truss & sleeve & gussets $249.99
3. Synergy chromoly tie ROD $325.00
4. Reid racing conversion knuckle high steer arms$169.98
5. D30 conversion knuckle bolt kit $49.99
6. Reid racing D30 conversion Knuckle $279.00 x 2
7. Artec rear axle truss $149.99
8. ORO air operated sway-loc $888.99

I'm already too far invested in my D30 to abandon in. (Chromoly axle shafts, upgraded ball joints, aussie locker, 4.56 gears) The goal is to build a bulletproof 30 hence the abundance of work being done on the front axle. Anything i need to change from the above?

Next is the cage. I plan on doing a good bit of wheeling and i recently had twins. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I supplemented the stock cage with river raiders cage. I saw their work first hand at the All Breeds jeep show and I was impressed with them.

 

You are throwing money at a future headache.

Ditch the 30.... and swallow the loss. It is impossible to build a "bulletproof" d30.

 

I've heard the same before. I figure with the Chromoly's, RCV's, C-Gussets, and a truss that the one weak point would be the R&P (especially considering the gear change to 4.56's). I wheel maybe once a month and I only run 35's. (I see 37's or 40's in my future)

I'm fishing for info here from more experienced off-roaders, so that a few months/years down the road i don't regret the route that I took. Are there actually a lot of reported busted D30 R&P's? With my planned build my thought process leads me to believe that the likelyhood of me breaking one is low.

 

I just noticed that Artec has a JK 1 TON - Front Dana 60 swap kit in production. That's a considerable option to start a junkyard build project. That COULD be another possible avenue for me. I just see it winding up being overkill and a lot more expensive. Not to mention the fact that I can't weld so I'd be farming all the labor out (which will add to my cost) I'm not building a KOH rig. This jeep is my DD, and my weekend fun. My goal is to be able to drive to the trails, wheel, and then drive back home, all the while still being able to save to put my kids through college.

 

All that high steer stuff you listed is for tj's. They don't have high steer arms for the jk reid knuckles. I'd look into the synergy cage if you want a weld on addition. The river raider isn't designed very well. If you do some research on cage design you will see why I say that.

I wouldn't put money into the Dana 30 if 37s or 40s may be in your future.

 

I am sure that you had, but since you were planning on walking that road and were asking. The beef you'd put into that axle is great.... it will still break, sooner rather than later, and surely at a time that will cause you the biggest headache. Then there is always the rep you will get when you've ruined everyone's day with a broken axle that should have never been on the trail in the first place (you did say 37+)... come on, you want wheeling buddies, right?

Sorry I bit the bait... maybe someone that's more experienced than I will come help you. Good luck.

 

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/com...ct-stupid.html

If you are wheeling hard enough to think you need a cage, you need to replace your D30.

If you think your D30 will hold up to your wheeling, then you don't need a cage.

 

I'm with the other guys, sell it and upgrade.

But for what it's worth...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-s...-tires-252451/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...a-30-a-258157/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-build-274896/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...thread-259387/

 

I think you took what I said the wrong way. I wasn't saying more experienced than YOU... I was saying more experienced than I AM. I appreciate your input. I'm not on here for arguing or drama. I'm seeking info from community members that have been there and done that.

 

Seems like sound advice.