"The Dana 30 is still a Dana 30" is kinda what I'm thinking. A D44 swap makes more sense. Thanks for keeping me straight.

 

No worries! It happens a lot when enthusiasts face a situation similar to yours.

 

A Dana 44 is still a Dana 44. Same weak ball joints, same weak unit bearings, same small brakes. What DOESN'T make sense is spending 5k on a prorock 44 when you can go 1 ton, where ALL the weaknesses are fixed, as well as the added benefit of lockout hubs. In your case, not knowing your financial situation, I would be a Dana 30 off Craigslist for $250 and call it a day. 35s and a Dana 30 is far from a "ticking time bomb" and the "small" difference in price from that compared to an aftermarket housing like dynatrac is trying to sell you is about $4500. I wouldn't call that a "small difference" but hey, who am I.

 

That's a load of marketing crap. The Tera 30 is NOT a Dana 30, aside from the size of the ring gear. This is a very misleading statement. The Tera 30 has 3.25" tubes that are 1/4" wall. Your ProRock has a smaller tube and a slightly thicker (5/16") wall. I'm no engineer, but an engineer friend told me that a larger diameter tube, even with a slightly thinner wall, will resist bending more. So, based on his knowledge and experience, the Tera 30 is less likely to bend than the ProRock 44. Just to be clear, I do not own a Dana 30, a Tera 30, or a ProRock. Hmmmm.....

Finally, something Chuck and I can agree on. LOL!

There are lots of options for a replacement. Repairing is not something I would consider. Everyone has to consider his own budget and circumstances.

 

Repair is off the table.

A replacement idea is being looked into. I'm hoping insurance comes through.

Ugh...

 

I'm no expert but from what I have read, the only difference between a Dana 30 and a Dana 44 is the differential housing where the D44 has a larger pumpkin and therefore can accommodate larger gears. No added strength.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The axleshafts on a 44 front are 30 compared to 27 spline on the Dana 30. I wouldn't say this is a substantial increase in strength as I've personally never seen twisted splines or broken shafts. They tend to break at the ears/u joint first... or in my case, the R/P explodes.

 

We position ourselves pretty straightforward when approached about the Tera 30 vs going up to a Pro Rock 44. The Tera 30 is a lower cost alternative than a Pro Rock 44, since you do not have to purchase a new diff, R&P, and yoke. The BAD is that you still have the small Dana 30 ring gear diameter of 7.2”, small D30 diff, and 27 spline inner shafts. The Pro Rock 44 uses the JK D44 8.5” diameter ring gear, larger D44 diffs, and 30 or 35 spline inner shafts. You may be solving your stock Dana 30 weak housing issue, but you have the small D30 internals that are not meant for bigger tires, more power and torque, and abusive off road driving.

As for the tubing strength comparison, bigger diameter yet thinner wall does create a strong yet lighter housing than a smaller diameter thicker wall, but that all depends on what material and tube diameters you are comparing it too.

On the D44 ball joint comment, that is why PR44s are available with our heavy duty ball joints from the factory, so that weakness is eliminated.

 

Hey thats eddie's line LOL

 

You were running 285's right? Is a new Mopar replacement 44 an option?