dana 30 axle upgrade questions

ok, i'm gathering all the parts i'm going to need for my dana 30 swap. axle should be done in a few weeks.
question #1.....will i be using a dana 30 spring plate or dana 27 spring plate for this upgrade? i'm wanting to keep the stock location for the shocks unless it is a better setup going the intermediate route.
question #2....u-bolts...should i use the year dana 30 axle u-bolts or the dana 27 u-bolts?
question #3....degree shims..which is it that is in the "middle" i.e 6* or 5*? i might jut buy two different ones so i don't have to wait that long when i bring it in to the alignment and hold them up.
i have used the search but not finding all the answers. thanks in advance.

 

which dana 30's came with the double shock mounts?

 

question #4...what is the difference between a 69 dana 44 and a 71 dana 44 besides the tapper and flange? is the tube dimension different? because i fornd a pair of spring plates for the rear but only goes to 69.

 

The axle housing tubes for a D27 are smaller daimeter than those used for D30.
You will need a set of D30 front axle clips ("U" bolts) to properly fit around the D30 tubes.
You can buy them as 7/16" or 1/2 " diameter axle clips.

Various vintages and models of CJ's used 3 different sizes of axle tubes. (1941-1975 Dana Spicer)
The D23-2, D25 and D27 axles have the smallest tubes.
The Tapered D44 and D30 axles are medium sized.
The Flanged D44 axles have the largest size tubes.

So 3 of the clips from a D30 will also fit a tapered D44 but not a flanged D44
And of course the 2 special clips installed over the front carrier casting are also uniquely sized.

Got That ?

 

Best plan on the shocks to the rear. In front they interfere with the single tie rod. I'll be moving mine to the rear soon. On Pete the holes for the shock mount are already there so all I have to do is grind off the rivets and move them. Check your frame it may be that easy for you. I used dual shock skid plates which had several extra weldable shock studs. They're yours if you want them. PM me.

 

i knew the 27 was smaller than a 30 and wasn't sure on the differences between the tapered and flanged sizes of the 44. thanks ken

 

Tapered axle tubes are 2 1/2" diameter iirc,. Same as a Jeep 30 front. Flanged 44 tubes are 2 3/4".

 

I put a '72 D30 on my '56 frame, and then discovered that the 11" front brake hoses need to mount to brackets on the frame, and the steel lines go through holes in the frame. Of course, my '56 frame doesn't have those brackets, or the holes in the frame for the steel lines, and that kinda brought me to a screeching halt. I need to get my lazy self back on the project, but I hate the thought of drilling and cutting on my powdercoated frame.

Has anybody else ran into this issue? (C'mon, I know somebody has!) And what did you do to resolve it? Photos would be mucho appreciated!

 

Rondog, couldn't you just bend the lines really tight to the underside of the frame and then into the inside channel and attach it to something there instead of making an unnessacary hole? You might be able to use some sort of rubber brake line going to the axle kinda like the drum set up?

 

I used the same set up that my flatty had, by welding mounti

 

The hoses to tabs on the axle with a centered hose to the frame like the original set up works great.

 

I'm sure I can cobble/fabricate some way to make it work, but I'd love to hear/see ways that other guys have done it. Sure as hell, as soon as I rigged something up, someone would come up with photos and say "why didn't you do it THIS way? Works a LOT better!"

This is how the '72 D30 brake lines were ran, AFAIK. My '56 frame doesn't have that big hole there, or those brackets to mount the hoses to. I'm sure I could come up with something, just seeking knowledge from those that have crossed this bridge before me. I know they're out there!

 

here is what I was talking about. just adding brackets to the axle and using a center flex hose. like the original setup.

 

http://s1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg602/shmober/?action=view&current=IMAG0763.jpg

 

http://s1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg602/shmober/?action=view&current=IMAG0762.jpg

 

shmomber that is it. i've seen that on other jeeps in the past

 

another question......i'm using the 74 axle with the 78 knuckles out. should i use the 78 axle shafts or the 74's?