Dana 30 Or 44 Up Front????

I agree a D30 is the easiest route, and that it will withstand moderate abuse, even more abuse with upgraded shafts.
The Scout ll D44 outers are different (and stronger) than an any other D44 I have seen. The Scout uses 8 bolts mounting the spindle instead of everyone else's 6 bolts. The outer swivels are quite stout!
-Donny

 

Scout 11 d44 outer are the weakest outer of any dana 44, it's the same outer as any cj'S dana 30. The spingle mounting with is 8 bolt maybe more heavy duty, but it's the only thing that is heavier than the other dana 44.

 

Quick side question. I didn’t think they made a 44, 19 spline ARB. I just realized there’s a 19 spline Eaton e-Locker as well. Are these new?...or am I deluded?

 

I bought it off of Facebook. I believe it’s a discontinued unit. It's new in the box.

 

What are “the best” axels for the 30? I’m not afaird to spend more upfront to prevent having to swap them out later.
Thanks
Jay

 

I did a d44 narrow. I used a jeep Pickup axle and narrowed both sides(BIL is a pro welder and had access to a tig welder to weld c's back on). The truck axle gave me caliper brackets and chevy calipers. I used the thick late 70's cj discs on ford hubs. It has two custom axle shafts made from the original axle, basically cut and resplined. Its been bullet proof to this point. I've run 35 super swampers on it and had no problems. That being said the next axle will be d30 just for the ease of the swap. It was fun figuring everything out for the d44 though.............

 

I added a D30 to my rig a couple years back. I was given the D30 for "free". I had to rebuild it with brakes, new seals, new gears, ball joints, tie rod etc. I added an ARB I picked up reasonable on Craiglist ($250) and also found the gears for a great price ($55). I figure the D30 will hold up very well to my 33's and V6 and even 35's if I ever decide to go that route. All said and done my "free" axle cost $1,500. I think that has to be more reasonable than narrowing a D44 to fit.