Narrow Track 30 To Gain Turning Radius?

Throwing around the idea of swapping in a front narrow 30. I currently have the stock 27 that I've completely redone but my 33x10.50 rub on the leafs before I can turn too far. There is a 72 narrow 30 with drums I can get - then I would move my Metcalf discs over to the 30 and swap in. Any reason I should get a 30 from a later model CJ5 that is narrow and comes with discs (I like how light and simple the Metcalf brakes are)? As I understand it the 30 will bolt in with some new U-bots?

 

Your 33s will rub with the D30 also, but you will gain a little more turning radius. That’s just one reason of many that makes the swap worth it.

 

30 with drums can accept all your old brake parts from a 25 /27 it's the later disk knuckles that get weird.
I'ld jump on it but you need to regear and this is the time to pony up un the front locker.

 

Seller says the axle he is selling is a stock 3.73 and I need 3.73. Gearing should be OK. I know I'll rub still but if I gain some turning that would be nice. I would do a powerlock front if I go into it but that would have to come down the road.

 

your tracker disc brakes will bolt up. you "may" have to shorten your driveshaft 1". Being 1 1/2" wider per side, your tires just might not rub anymore. You will notice better steering. I am running a D-30 in mine.

 

Do it!

 

You will need to shorten your front driveshaft. You will need new U-bolts but to do it right you will need new spring plates and caster shims to correct your caster. Yes you can drill the factory spring plates out but it makes the edges pretty thin, I made new ones, thats up to you. I did mine about 14 years ago with a 77 model with factory disks. Great upgrade. My 32" tires don't rub.

 

Or you could change your rim backspacing.
Or you could add spacers.
not saying a 30 isn't an upgrade, just asking if the cost and effort is needed beyond the radius issue.

 

I was just going to suggest what jeepdaddy2000 said, I did go with a 30 but had 16x8 rims that had 4" backspace...rubbed worse than before! I used 1,25" spacers, good quality and installed correctly...end of rubbing...I liked this solution!

I do have a wide track which I am toying with, though! but that means NO spacers and since then I have switched to 15" rims with different backspacing! It never ends?

Dale

 

The open 30 is also way more durable than any closed knuckle axle.

 

can you get a CV on your driveshaft to make up for the caster angle? (double carden or whatever its called?)

 

You could but you don’t need to, remember your front axle is not generally used at high speed and most of the time it’s not used at all.

 

Brennan Metcalf makes some new spring plates that are very nice. I'm going to buy a set for all 4 corners from him. Also now make a 1/4" thick skid plate.

 

If you are driving a lot on snow and ice, 4x4 mode at speed is highly desirable. And yes a double cardan joint at the transfercase can make a big difference. I was getting front driveshaft vibration in my 3B at 55 mph until I installed the double cardan. That completely eliminated it.

 

My 33x10.5x15 don't rub. 15x7.5 rim, 3 3/4" backspace.

 

Agreed. When the roads look like this, you're in high speed 4wd all the time:

 

we got spacers, and no more spring rub. took about 20 minutes to install, and worked perfectly.

 

Yes the extra inch of D30 axle width allows a small increase of steering angle as compared to any D25 or D27.
But more important is the spindle outset away from the knuckle pivot centerline.
Neither open nor closed type knuckles provide a pivot point that is true to the center of the tire tread.
That said the spindles on any open knuckle axle assembly are closer (further inbound) to the knuckles pivot point.
The spindle positioned further inward implies that the tire has to swing outward less when turning.
So at maximum steer angle the D30 tires are pivoting a little more and swinging a little less.
The real world effect is that the steering effort is being decreased.

 

If I drill out my stock spring plates will the caster be correct? I need my steering wheel to return to center with correct caster.