You do not need a new carrier to regear. You will need an install kit that includes pinion nut, crush sleeve, shims, ring bolts, etc.
Im running a D30 with 5.13s and nolocker. Will be this way until I build a D44.
I ran a HP30 locked in a ZJ and broke several ujoints, r&p gears, ball joints , but never a stock shaft.

 

A new carrier depends on which gears came stock.

A D30 with 3.21's will in fact need a new carrier.

A D30 with 3.73's or 4.10's will not.

The D44 rear does not need a new carrier.

 

Stand corrected.

 

how many happy regearing the d30 do you feel it to be a waste because at some point you wan tto go to a d44 anyway or even 60 later on?

 

If you drive stupid and grenade it the day after you get your gears, then sure, it was a waste. If you dump a ton of money into shafts and skids and all the upgrades, 'knowing' you're going to replace the axle soon anyway, then sure, it's a waste.

As others have tried telling you, if you drive it like you actually realize that it's a D30, you'll be ok. But that's not what you want to hear. Your D30 will never be as stout as a built 44 or 60, so just save up the money and get one...

 

I thought that the 3.21 carrier will fit 3.73's but if you have the 4.10's then you will not need a new carrier?

I'm looking to buy 3.73's to replace my 3.21's so I don't have to buy a new carrier and so I don't lose as much gas mileage because I drive a few hundred miles a week on the highway. The 3.21's stink and I'm just rolling 33's.

RT

 

These are for Motives, but the same applies to any others. 3.21's need a new carrier. 3.73 and up do not...