Axle Upgrade

[Calvin.8]

I want to upgrade my axles eventually, but I'm not sure whether to beef up my current ones or go with a whole entire axle replacement. I currently have the Dana 30/Dana 44 setup and I am running 33-inch tires, but going to eventually move up to 35's sometime in the future. To beef up the axles my plan was to upgrade the axle shafts and regearing (Revolution parts) + lockers (ARB). That would cost around 4-5 grand. If I was going to take the axle replacement route, I was looking at getting the Currie Rock Jock 60 in the rear and 44 in the front which would end up being 11 grand. So the question I am asking is if just beefing up my axles is good enough for 35's. Or would axle replacement be recommended? If it means anything I don't take on obstacles at full speed, I am a pretty cautious driver.

 

[Chris]

Beefing up your axles alone is enough to handle 35s easily. Especially since you already have a Dana 30/Dana 44 combo.

IMHO, I wouldn't even consider upgrading to Rock Jock axles unless I was running 37s or larger, or if there was some other specific use case.

A built Dana 30 / Dana 44 axle combo will handle those 35s just fine.

A lot of it is driver skill as well. Even an idiot can break a Rock Jock 60 axle if they assume that more throttle is always the answer.

I have the factory D44s front and rear on my Rubicon which I've built up. I run 35s as well and I have zero concern whatsoever about the axles in their current state.

 

[TJ_2000]

For a 35”. You can just regear them and only lock the Dana 44. Or, chromoly shafts in the front and lock it.

 

[TJ_2000]

Or, a HP30 swap with chromoly.

 

[jjvw]

Or, a HP30 swap with chromoly.

Is the hp30 as good as we assume it is? I saw a comment recently that it may not be.

 

[Chris]

Is the hp30 as good as we assume it is? I saw a comment recently that it may not be.

Dave had plenty of negative things to say about the HP30.

Notably that it is NOT an upgrade over the factory LP30 on the TJ. It had to do with not being able to set the caster angles correctly due to the Cherokee (that it comes from) having a longer wheel base, and therefore the pinion angle stock was much different in relation to everything else.

I wish I could remember what all he was saying (he was talking a bit fast), but basically what he was getting at is that people are assuming the LP30 on the TJs is a crappy axle and that the HP30 is a much better upgrade, when in reality this isn't true at all.

Anyways, take that for what it's worth. I don't remember all of what he said, but I do recall that after talking to him about it, I wouldn't find myself swapping a LP30 (if I had one) out for a HP30.

 

[TJ_2000]

The fact the HP30 drives on the stronger side of the gears is what’s appealing. Also having a 3” lift with a Ultra High tummy trick. The HP30 was appealing to me for drive line angle. I also added chromoly shafts and locked it.

 

[TJ_2000]

And for $60 at the local u-pull it. It was a no brainer for a HP30.

 

[jjvw]

The fact the HP30 drives on the stronger side of the gears is what’s appealing. Also having a 3” lift with a Ultra High tummy trick. The HP30 was appealing to me for drive line angle. I also added chromoly shafts and locked it.

Any comments about the final caster/pinion angles?

 

[TJ_2000]

Any comments about the caster/pinion angles?

I don’t remember what the specs were exactly. But after the swap and 3 link we did an alignment and we got it pretty damn close to factory. All within the green. And I had a slight vibration that is now gone.

 

[Calvin.8]

Or, a HP30 swap with chromoly.

What exactly is a HP30 swap?

 

[Chris]

What exactly is a HP30 swap?

A high pinion factory Dana 30 axle from a Jeep Cherokee XJ.

 

[Calvin.8]

A high pinion factory Dana 30 axle from a Jeep Cherokee XJ.

Since it sounds like there is some controversy going on with that axle, I'll probably just end up adding chromoly shafts to my stock axles.

 

[jjvw]

Since it sounds like there is some controversy going on with that axle, I'll probably just end up adding chromoly shafts to my stock axles.

Maybe do some more research on the hp30. It's a popular swap and this is the first I recall reading about caster/pinion angle issues.

The only certain thing is that you don't need Dana 44/Dana 60's for what you want to do.

 

[Chris]

Maybe do some more research on the hp30. It's a popular swap and this is the first I recall reading about caster/pinion angle issues.

The only certain thing is that you don't need Dana 44/Dana 60's for what you want to do.

X2 to this.

I wouldn't bother with the HP30 personally unless you have a need for it. If we were talking about a rear axle on a TJ where the high pinion could help to alleviate an already steep driveshaft angle, then I would say it would be worth looking into.

But on the front axle, with an already long driveshaft, there's nothing to worry about. I have 5" of lift and a tummy tuck and I don't have any pinion angle issues with the front. When the last time you heard about people having issues with the front pinion angle on their TJ was?

 

[TJ_2000]

Since it sounds like there is some controversy going on with that axle, I'll probably just end up adding chromoly shafts to my stock axles.

As said. Read up on it more. The HP30 is a great swap and can be upgraded to handle larger tires. I had a buddy on a built HP30 locked with 37”s. And he wheeled the crap out of it!

 

[Calvin.8]

As said. Read up on it more. The HP30 is a great swap and can be upgraded to handle larger tires. I had a buddy on a built HP30 locked with 37”s. And he wheeled the crap out of it!

How is the price of the HP30 compared to upgrading axle shafts? I would imagine I would still have to regear with the HP30?

 

[TJ_2000]

How is the price of the HP30 compared to upgrading axle shafts? I would imagine I would still have to regear with the HP30?

Yes you would. I got a HP30 housing for $60. The chromoly shafts were $550. Then the locker and gears and seals. After it was all said and done. It cost me $1200 for the swap. That’s including a 3 link truss.

 

[jjvw]

How is the price of the HP30 compared to upgrading axle shafts? I would imagine I would still have to regear with the HP30?

The HP30 would be in addition to everything. It costs as much as what the UPull yard charges for it.

 

[jjvw]

Don't worry about a truss. If you are bending the stock axles then they aren't the axles that you need. And hold off on a 3 link until you think you might benefit from one.