I have 35" tires, do i need to modify my dana 30 in front to make it tougher?

 

I would and did. I had a C Gussett kit welded to my front axle to strengthen it near the ends of the axle.
There's a thread on this - search c gussett. I got mine from Off Road Evolution. I've heard plenty of
stories about bending the front axle, which could happen anyway - depending how hard you are on it.
But just having that size tire - I would still do it. There's also a sleeve option that some people who are
harder on their rigs do. I didn't. Good Luck

Jeremy - Lincoln, NE

 

i'm doing the same thing... got teraflex gussets to weld on to the upper part of the axle. i've read people doing nothing and being OK, but you also read about those who aren't. better to be safe than sorry.

 

I'm having a teraflex sleeve and gusset kit put on mine. Parts are cheap but install is expensive. I wasn't sure about it either but decided I might as well or be stuck with much bigger preventable problems

 

Forgot to mention. 4 wheel parts told me if your going to be just a mall crawler then it's not necessary but if wheeling then its advised

 

I have heard the same...if you are wheeling it is advised.

I plan on doing 33's and that is that for me. DD and don't want to go with 35's, but if you are going 35's.....this is a better safe than sorry scenario...and get a reputable shop to do it

 

Not true. You can bend the axle on a D30 even on the street believe it or not. Get gussets regardless

 

Totally agreed. The weight of the tires and vehicle alone is enough to bend the front axle. I've heard of the same thing happening on
a Dana 44 (ie Rubicon).

Jeremy - Lincoln, NE

 

My C's are bent, gusset before it's too late!

 

Just recieved a sleeve and gussett kit from teraflex. I was totally surprised on the thickness and strangth of the sleeves. I feel a heck of a lot safer with sleeve and gusset done. Btw, I'm no welder, so I'm having a shop do it for $400, sound like a reasonable price? Seems to be a pretty labor intensive job, taking about 4hrs or so