I'm looking to upgrade my front and rear axles this year, and I am researching my options and would like to get allayall's opinions and advice on the front end. I am currently running a factory Dana 30/35 combo at 3.73 with ECGS chromoly axles in the 30. Will be upgrading to 35" tires on 15x8's with the upgrade, already purchased.
I'll most likely be getting whatever I get from East Coast Gear Supply. They sell a brand new Dana30 high pinion for $960 and I have heard people say that you can build a Dana30 to be just as strong as a 44. I built one out to the nines on their site with an E-locker, tube sleeves, gussets, and artec truss, and it comes in at $3700 which is a very doable price.
My question to you guys is... is it worth it? Or should I forget it and look into something heavier like a 44 or their 489? I want to do their 489 in the rear, and was considering it for the front as well but it is much more expensive than the 30, and also they don't option it with an E-Locker on the front for some reason. The thing that attracts me about a built 30 is keeping the front end small and light. I will likely never use this thing to wheel very hard, but my philosophy is generally 'overbuild for your purpose', but if a built 30 is just as good as a 44, I don't see much of a reason to go up to a 44 since I'm not going to be abusing this much, and I'd like to keep it pleasant on the street for long road trips out to camping spots, and to visit family and wheel in New England.
Anyway, enough rambling... thoughts? TIA
I'll most likely be getting whatever I get from East Coast Gear Supply. They sell a brand new Dana30 high pinion for $960 and I have heard people say that you can build a Dana30 to be just as strong as a 44. I built one out to the nines on their site with an E-locker, tube sleeves, gussets, and artec truss, and it comes in at $3700 which is a very doable price.
My question to you guys is... is it worth it? Or should I forget it and look into something heavier like a 44 or their 489? I want to do their 489 in the rear, and was considering it for the front as well but it is much more expensive than the 30, and also they don't option it with an E-Locker on the front for some reason. The thing that attracts me about a built 30 is keeping the front end small and light. I will likely never use this thing to wheel very hard, but my philosophy is generally 'overbuild for your purpose', but if a built 30 is just as good as a 44, I don't see much of a reason to go up to a 44 since I'm not going to be abusing this much, and I'd like to keep it pleasant on the street for long road trips out to camping spots, and to visit family and wheel in New England.
Anyway, enough rambling... thoughts? TIA