Narrow-track, open-knuckle Dana 30 front axle questions...

I'm about to drag home what I believe is a narrow-track, open-knuckle Dana 30 front axle. Is there such a thing? Or are they wide-track? All I know for sure is it's open-knuckle and has 11" brakes on it.

Is this a good thing to consider for my '56? Can I put 5.38 gears in it? I don't want to go with any higher ratios than 5.38, since that's what my stock axles have already, D25 & D44.

Thanks!

 

that is what I run in my 74. That is stock in the newer 5s. You should have no problem finding those gears for it.

 

Well, I really want to know for sure before I start making any plans for it. There's nothing wrong with my D25. If the D30 is a good upgrade and I know for sure I can get 5.38's for it, I'll consider it. I'll post photos of it when I get it home, if that's even what it is.

 

I have one not going to use but its d30 open knuckle.
Turns sharper and disc's go right on.
Also have a cj7 wide track d30, that I am going to put under the Commando.

 

Ron you really shouldn't consider that for a classic such as yours. I think may alter the value irreversibly. Better yet don't you have a brother down this way? Better plan would be get it to his house, I can pick it up there and save you from such an alteration of that classic of yours.....

 

ron,

the d-30 does come in the narrow track version, with open knuckles. i'm fairly certain you can get 5.38's for it; however, if the axle you drag home has 3.54's or higher, you'll need a new carrier for the ring/pinion. if it has 3.73's (or lower), at least the carrier would work.

depends on the year, really.

there are a few easy conversions to change from the drums to discs on a d-30, too.

 

lynn,

i was under the impression that the non-finned drums were the type that were used for drilling, rather than the finned 11" drums. at the very least, from '75 on, the drums on a 30 will be finned.

 

I put 5.38 R&P in my '73 NT D30. They were made by Yukon Gear. Contact Randy's Ring and Pinion, West Coast Differentials or any of a hundred other suppliers.

 

Cool! Thanks guys! I should have it this weekend.

 

My God, was it really 2007 when I posted this thread? I've had that D30 for that long? Wow, I'm really slow. Its differential is all rebuilt now with new Yukon 5.38's, all new bearings, ball joints and etc., and I'm ready to put it all back together and get both axles on the frame. Soon, I hope.

Rear D44 is all together, 11" brakes are on, have all the stuff for the front brakes, and finally found a local guy to drill the drums on a mill. Progress, woohoo!

 

yes there is such a thing as a narrow track d30 open knuckle. I beleive in 81 or 82 them went to the wide track for cj's. I think there is around a 3-inch differance between the two in width.

 

Whutchoo want pics of?

 

Everthing Ron. You never show us pics.

 

Oh now that ain't true! I've bored y'all with my photos much too often. Ain't nothing new to see anyway, just the rear axle all assembled, and y'all know what those look like.

 

This is the first I've heard of drilling drums. Is this to relieve water retention?

 

it helps with water and heat