Will a Dana 30 handle 35s on stock splines with a LS V8?

[runninwild]

Soo my 33s are getting wore down and spikes the interest of 35s...

my question is will a front stock dana 30 with an aussie locker handle 35s Safely? I don't want to loose an axle/ snap something going down the Interstate at 70+ mph shouldn't snap anything just free Wheeling down the highway my worry is a hairline Crack on the shaft or somethning from wheeling and then it decides to catch up with me on the highway...

slight wrench into things... I have a 5.3l ls swapped tj

My Build:
5.3l vortec
4l60e Stage 2 built trans
4.5in short arm lift
Stock np231j t case
Gear ratio 4:10
Rear axle dana 44 w/limited slip
Front axle dana 30 w/ aussie locker
Current tire
33x12.50x15 mastercraft courser mxt

We (family and i) usually do green/blue trails I don't get rowdy with it because with v8 torque something is bound to happen I usually take things pretty easy it's also my daily in the summer. I believe it has alot to do with how you drive if things are going to break I've had quite a few people tell my dana 30 won't hold up to a v8 but it has...

just curious if I should be upgrading to chromoly shafts w/30 spline ?

 

[Rickyd]

Chromoly shafts would be a good idea. 30 spline would be better. I don't think I'd be worried about freeway scenarios

 

[Wildman]

Soo my 33s are getting wore down and spikes the interest of 35s...

my question is will a front stock dana 30 with an aussie locker handle 35s Safely? I don't want to loose an axle/ snap something going down the Interstate at 70+ mph shouldn't snap anything just free Wheeling down the highway my worry is a hairline Crack on the shaft or somethning from wheeling and then it decides to catch up with me on the highway...

slight wrench into things... I have a 5.3l ls swapped tj

My Build:
5.3l vortec
4l60e Stage 2 built trans
4.5in short arm lift
Stock np231j t case
Gear ratio 4:10
Rear axle dana 44 w/limited slip
Front axle dana 30 w/ aussie locker
Current tire
33x12.50x15 mastercraft courser mxt

We (family and i) usually do green/blue trails I don't get rowdy with it because with v8 torque something is bound to happen I usually take things pretty easy it's also my daily in the summer. I believe it has alot to do with how you drive if things are going to break I've had quite a few people tell my dana 30 won't hold up to a v8 but it has...

just curious if I should be upgrading to chromoly shafts w/30 spline ?

If you are as easy on the Go pedal as you say then I'd guess no you shouldn't have any issues. The Dana 30's in CJ used to handle V-8 power & 35-36" tires. Won't say they did it No Problem but I've seen a lot of them that lived.
On the flip side I broke stock Dana 30 outers with a 4cy but I did have a 4:1 t-case.
I've also broke 3 R&P in a HP60 rear axle with a Dodge 5.2 Magnum V-8...

But as Rickyd says above if you want to error on the side of caution then YES upgrade your shafts but then that moves your weak point to your R&P...

 

[ColoJeep]

Soo my 33s are getting wore down and spikes the interest of 35s...

my question is will a front stock dana 30 with an aussie locker handle 35s Safely? I don't want to loose an axle/ snap something going down the Interstate at 70+ mph shouldn't snap anything just free Wheeling down the highway my worry is a hairline Crack on the shaft or somethning from wheeling and then it decides to catch up with me on the highway...

slight wrench into things... I have a 5.3l ls swapped tj

My Build:
5.3l vortec
4l60e Stage 2 built trans
4.5in short arm lift
Stock np231j t case
Gear ratio 4:10
Rear axle dana 44 w/limited slip
Front axle dana 30 w/ aussie locker
Current tire
33x12.50x15 mastercraft courser mxt

We (family and i) usually do green/blue trails I don't get rowdy with it because with v8 torque something is bound to happen I usually take things pretty easy it's also my daily in the summer. I believe it has alot to do with how you drive if things are going to break I've had quite a few people tell my dana 30 won't hold up to a v8 but it has...

just curious if I should be upgrading to chromoly shafts w/30 spline ?

Why not stick with higher quality 33" , sounds like the tires aren't holding you back off-road ?

 

[lBasket]

How would you break a front axle shaft in 2wd

 

[Woodrow]

With a stock motor, locked 35s are fine with Dana 30 and up graded shafts (e.g CrMo) and 27 spline works OK. You might be putting 50-100% more torque to the tires with your LS swap. Given that, I wouldn't feel good about mild steel 27 spline shafts even with 33s. So yeah, a super 30 or a Dana 44 would be a better option. Having said that, I know people who get away with bigger tires on smaller axles but they either don't wheel their rigs or are very cautious.

 

[runninwild]

How would you break a front axle shaft in 2wd

Have a Crack in the shaft from wheeling. Not knowing it's there and hit the freeway at 70-80 mph and it decides to show up at the least inconvenient time. Not saying that will happen just something that crosses my mind I tend to analyze things too much sometimes lol

 

[runninwild]

Why not stick with higher quality 33" , sounds like the tires aren't holding you back off-road ?

current tire I run hasn't let me down only reason I thought about 35s is there's been a few times I got into a deep rutted section and bottomed out if I'd of had 35s I would of made it only reason I say that is because the jeep in front of me had 35s and didn't have issues. I can air down to about 14 psi and by the time I do that lowers ground clearance only happened twice to me but would like to prevent it if I can

 

[lBasket]

Have a Crack in the shaft from wheeling. Not knowing it's there and hit the freeway at 70-80 mph and it decides to show up at the least inconvenient time. Not saying that will happen just something that crosses my mind I tend to analyze things too much sometimes lol

I would imagine if you're gonna break it, you're gonna know right away... Idk if I've ever really heard of what you're describing.

Fwiw I broke a front axle shaft and drove like 4hours home on the highway like that

 

[Wildman]

I can air down to about 14 psi and by the time I do that lowers ground clearance only happened twice to me but would like to prevent it if I can

Wait.... You are only airing down to 14PSI off-road? If I'm not in the single digit range I haven't aired down far enough... And YES i used to worry about airing down below 14 PSI.. And yes I didn't have beadlocks.

 

[runninwild]

Wait.... You are only airing down to 14PSI off-road? If I'm not in the single digit range I haven't aired down far enough... And YES i used to worry about airing down below 14 PSI.. And yes I didn't have beadlocks.

Yea I've never went below 14

 

[Wildman]

Yea I've never went below 14

Try getting down around 10PSI and see what you think... Makes a big difference.

 

[runninwild]

I would imagine if you're gonna break it, you're gonna know right away... Idk if I've ever really heard of what you're describing.

Fwiw I broke a front axle shaft and drove like 4hours home on the highway like that

Yea idk lol like i said I tend to over analyze things too much sometimes... I suppose if its going to snap it's going to do it almost immediately

 

[runninwild]

Try getting down around 10PSI and see what you think... Makes a big difference.

Ok ill give that a try thanks !

 

[Rickyd]

Have a Crack in the shaft from wheeling. Not knowing it's there and hit the freeway at 70-80 mph and it decides to show up at the least inconvenient time. Not saying that will happen just something that crosses my mind I tend to analyze things too much sometimes lol

When the ujoint caps start rotating in the ears put in chromo shafts ASAP. Spitting a cap and mangling the shafts isn't far bahind

 

[runninwild]

With a stock motor, locked 35s are fine with Dana 30 and up graded shafts (e.g CrMo) and 27 spline works OK. You might be putting 50-100% more torque to the tires with your LS swap. Given that, I wouldn't feel good about mild steel 27 spline shafts even with 33s. So yeah, a super 30 or a Dana 44 would be a better option. Having said that, I know people who get away with bigger tires on smaller axles but they either don't wheel their rigs or are very cautious.

Yea I generally don't wheel hard or push the v8. I more less go on trails here n there do alot of highway miles going to different parks/ rides/ shows

 

[lBasket]

Also I had that discussion/worry with clearance vs. traction once. It's really a non-issue, you lose next to no clearance but gain huge amounts of traction.

 

[runninwild]

When the ujoint caps start rotating in the ears put in chromo shafts ASAP. Spitting a cap and mangling the shafts isn't far bahind

I'll keep an eye on them thanks

 

[Woodrow]

Yea I generally don't wheel hard or push the v8. I more less go on trails here n there do alot of highway miles going to different parks/ rides/ shows

Then perhaps upgrading your 27 spline shafts to CrMo is a reasonable option. If you do, replace the unit bearings (use Timken) at the same time and save the old units bearing/shaft combos as spares.

 

[runninwild]

Then perhaps upgrading your 27 spline shafts to CrMo is a reasonable option. If you do, replace the unit bearings (use Timken) at the same time and save the old units bearing/shaft combos as spares.

@Woodrow what brand would you recommend for chromoly shafts ?

And why is 27 spline weaker than a 30 ?

Just shaft diameter thicker on a 30 ?