That axle was in this truck.
And was trying to get unstuck in the snow.
And was trying to get unstuck in the snow.
A lesson learned—keep it light and nimble!
- Thread starter Irun
- Start date
There are reasons for running a HP30 and I think only you can decide that. IMO the GOOD thing about a HP30 is it moves the driveline up. If you are going to play in the rocks I like it for that reason but it's not required.
I'd still run a HP30 if one happened my way. It would get chromos, gusset the C's, and a ARB locker. It would also help with my caster.
I thought it would help with caster too, but i'm finding that the C's are clocked different then the low pinon. I'm going to end up with roughly the same castor as my LP30. This may differ between axles depending on when they were made, i don't know.
I didn't know gussets were needed on TJ axles?
The only reinforcement TJ axles need is to box in the lower control arms.
If you can find one cheap enough, I'd say go for it. The pic I posted was after about 12 hours on the trail and the driver was using the front locker since his rear was not working. Special incident IMO. That housing he had took some serious beating over the years.
OP
I have 4340 shafts and plan to mini skid the lower control arm mounts. Based on my experiences, and breakages thus far, that should suffice!
Would you say the same for a Dana 30 wheeled in a wet, slick, muddy location where wheel speed is needed time to time?
@Irun are your trails mainly dry rocks?
OP
They are not. Trails range from dry rock, wet rock, swampy black skunk water, orange gooey clay, and more. I'm typically light footed and do everything I can to keep wheel spin to a minimum. Increased wheel spin, at least from my experience, raises the probability of breaking crap. I'm old enough that I can't be talked or shamed into doing something I'm not comfortable. Following my intuition has served me well!
I can also say that the only issues I've ever had with a Dana 30 or 44 housing is the lower control arm mounts. I tore one set and my Son tore another.
Doesn't happen if you run something like the Currie Mini Skids.
OP
That's why I have a set waiting to go on. These would be standard equipment for any future TJ/LJ as well. I've seen first hand what can happen if you don't!
Most of them I see installed are done wrong. Line up the two sides, weld them on, then smack the top lip over until it touches the tube and then weld that to the tube. Waste of time if you don't. Most I see are not welded to the tube, why bother putting them on at that point?
OP
Dawned on me last night that I might need to install a track bar bracket in the rear. Although I'm only doing a 1" lift in the rear, I will be installing a Savvy UA. This is going to mean I'll need to rotate the rear axle to adjust the pinion angle. Am I correct in assuming I'll need the track bar bracket to keep things in alignment?
Yes, you will want the angled bracket. With Savvy UA and the 1" lift you're looking at a 3" to 4" equivalent lift height for the pinion.
OP
That's pretty much exactly what I was thinking, i.e. I'd end up with around 4" lift increase at the transfer case. Weird how this all of a sudden occurred to me.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
Do you have a picture of some installed, not sure I am visualising it correctly. Also, are those skids aluminium and are Currie the only people that make them?
Easier to do out where you are, Blaine. If you drive around both drops of rain you get a year, you are golden
They are steel, they're welded directly to the lower control arm mounts and to the axle tube. Currie is not the only company that makes them.
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12561_100.htm
UKTJ
TJ Addict
I like rain, it means half the country doesn't turn to ash every few yearsEasier to do out where you are, Blaine. If you drive around both drops of rain you get a year, you are golden