D30 Questions

[Ace!]

This is sort of a Warn Hub issue, but then again it's a general axle shaft issue too.
The Warn hub conversion includes outer shafts and the hub conversion pieces, right (not inner shafts)?

If I bought alloy axle shafts would I have the same strength as the Warn kit, without the ability to lock/unlock the axle?

Does the hub conversion kit offer anything beyond outer shafts that offers strength?

Is it more cost effective to buy shafts or the hub conversion kit, if I want to beef up the 30 to run 35" tires?

Also, the hub conversion allows the hub to go out before the u-joint, correct (and this makes for easier trail repairs)? Is that feature worth the price difference (I don't know the price difference at this point)?

Thanks.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[HIGLET]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ace!:
Is it more cost effective to buy shafts or the hub conversion kit, if I want to beef up the 30 to run 35" tires?

Also, the hub conversion allows the hub to go out before the u-joint, correct (and this makes for easier trail repairs)?

[/quote]

I'm pretty sure that's what Sergey's running, the Warn Hub conversion that is. He was telling me it was a real simple trail fix and that yes indeed the hubs go first. He also runs 35's

Sean M Higgins
higs@higsrigs.com

[William]

Scott has run 35's and 36's and he's done alot of the no-no's on a it.. turn against the locker,, well pretty much anything Scott does.. and his holds up really well.

I think the issue with the D30 is merely physcological. A bigger number should be better type of issue.

R/
William Karstens

[Ace!]

I'm not scared of the D30, but in a related post Blaine remarked a difference between his and Sergey's rigs was the Warn kit. It seems Sergey had problems that Blaine didn't and it sounds like it may be the alloy axle shafts that made the difference.

If I go to 35" tires there won't be much I won't try, and I will be at the Hammers sometime next year. I'll need to carry extra shafts anyway, so I'll be buying something (a hub kit, or just spare shafts). I just don't see spending money on a Warn hub conversion if the strength issue is solved by the axle shafts themselves, and nothing more is really in the kit except the ability to unlock the hubs. That's a main part I think I'm missing, whether the kit provides anything that warrants spending more money on it than buying alloy shafts (in re strength, not so much convenience).

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[mrblaine]

There is only one flaw in your theory so far. There are no stock replacement alloy outers that accept the unit bearing.

The stock u-joint is currently stronger than the axles.

Scott's rig is sort of an anomaly. He just replaced his stock tie-rod. A stock tie-rod has a very short life-span in Johnson Valley. I would not use Scott's ability to squeeze every last ounce of life out of a part as a benchmark for anything.

I am at a loss on how to justify the expense of the Warn kit. You either want it or you don't.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[TObject]

My Warn kit justified itself on the first trip. I broke the ring gear, just turned the hubs off, and drove home.

"I will prepare, and some day my chance will come."
-Abraham Lincoln

[William]

I'm glad you're not scared of an axle there Ace. Personnaly, I'm afraid of people who suddenly say "I want a salad". But axles don't scare me.

R/
William Karstens

[Ace!]

William, would it have made more sense if I had said, 'I don't have any psychological issues with the D30'.

Well, it's pretty clear that there is no reason to try to justify the cost. Had I known before that there are no other manufacturers of outer shafts I wouldn't have asked the question. Thanks for setting me straight.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[William]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Scott's rig is sort of an anomaly. [/quote]

I'd say the same about Scott himself..

R/
William Karstens

[mrblaine]

There are none that I know of. I have a few people checking on them, but so far, nothing.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Ace!]

I assumed most of the aftermarket axle places would make them, as you can get aftermarket inners that work with stock, but for outers I was wrong. I've been told by someone 'in the biz' that there aren't any except Warn's and they are only used with the hub conversion.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[mrblaine]

Ace- that is the same story I keep getting also.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Scott Hill]

How did I get in the middle of this??????


I have no major concerns about the 30 I do carry spare shafts when doing hard stuff. wich is a trail fix but not a real easy one. the hubs seem to be a much better way to go. I would like to have them at both ends as a fuse to protect any other drive line part.

a little TJ with a few mods check her out at www.real-jeeps.com

[TJRON]

You need not be concerned with D30 axles until you start popping them and can't find replacements. As one hard core guy told me, "You can go for ever on an axle and then pow, they can go like pop corn". Stock up!
Ron