Upgrading Dana 30 axles without adding locker

connor grimes

connor grimes

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Currently running 35’s on Dana 30/35 . My Dana 35 has RGA 30 spline axles with Eaton e locker. Looking to beef up my Dana 30 to chromoly shafts but don’t want to run a locker. Am I able to run 30 spline shafts without a locker or should I stick to chromoly 27 spline shafts ? Reason for not wanting a locker is I don’t want to run a lunchbox because of 4HI driving issues and I don’t want to drop the cash on a selectable . Just want the added strength/ insurance of chromoly when running 35’s
 
You'd either need to find a used unicorn or contact East Coast Gear and see what they have available...a new open carrier is about $250ish or about a 1/3 to a 1/4 of a front e-locker.

I put 30 spline and an e-locker in my Dana 30 with a Barnes truss. Love the setup. Wife was mad about the CC until we went and played in the snow...then she bought a JK.

Moving your gears to a new carrier will be tricky.

-Mac
 
connor grimes said:
Currently running 35’s on Dana 30/35 . My Dana 35 has RGA 30 spline axles with Eaton e locker. Looking to beef up my Dana 30 to chromoly shafts but don’t want to run a locker. Am I able to run 30 spline shafts without a locker or should I stick to chromoly 27 spline shafts ? Reason for not wanting a locker is I don’t want to run a lunchbox because of 4HI driving issues and I don’t want to drop the cash on a selectable . Just want the added strength/ insurance of chromoly when running 35’s
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What "4HI driving issues" are you referring to?? You'll almost never notice a front locker in 2WD. Looks like you're in LA, so unless you frequently drive snowy roads (unlikely), a front locker won't affect your daily drive.
 
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With a lunchbox locker in 4HI , driving on snowy roads (big bear , mammoth etc) it is dangerous to have it locked, which is why I don’t want it ( unless using a selectable Like an e locker ) . I am fully aware that a lunchbox locker has no effect in 2wd, however that is not the case when in 4wd. Simply looking to upgrade my axle shafts
 
connor grimes said:
With a lunchbox locker in 4HI , driving on snowy roads (big bear , mammoth etc) it is dangerous to have it locked, which is why I don’t want it ( unless using a selectable Like an e locker ) . I am fully aware that a lunchbox locker has no effect in 2wd, however that is not the case when in 4wd. Simply looking to upgrade my axle shafts
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's indeed the rare instance where front lockers cause some pucker and can indeed be detrimental to handling.

In your instance, I'd likely just stick to a nice set of 27-spline CM shafts. If you don't need a locker, I'd argue that you probably don't even need CM shafts. That said, a good set of 27-spline CM shafts will have increased strength in the u-joint "ears" (where they tend to fail) and likely to be way more than you'd need.
 
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connor grimes said:
Overkill is what I am after, I like having confidence in my rig as I usually wheel alone
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"Overkill" for a Dana 30 is the addition of 30 more D's :)

But seriously, I tend to lend to the same, for the same reasons. That said, I would consider 27-spline CM shafts "overkill" for a non-locked Dana 30. Without a locker, you're not gonna twist/break shafts and the only real issue is the stub shaft ears (which are the same with 30-spline inners anyways).
 
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Also maybe consider a TrueTrac in the front axle.

I have one in the front of my Bronco and it is terrific.

If I knew then what I know now my Bronco would have a TT in the rear as well instead of the Detroit locker that is there now.

I'm planning on a TT for my Wrangler, front and rear.
 
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connor grimes said:
With a lunchbox locker in 4HI , driving on snowy roads (big bear , mammoth etc) it is dangerous to have it locked, which is why I don’t want it ( unless using a selectable Like an e locker ) . I am fully aware that a lunchbox locker has no effect in 2wd, however that is not the case when in 4wd. Simply looking to upgrade my axle shafts
Click to expand...

Have you considered a limited slip unit like a Trutrac?

I don't have personal experience with it, but a selectable rear and trutrac front is looking right for me, and I think we do similar driving.
 
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