Did some light reading....

ObiHann · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:11 am

Reading through a lot of these posts, it seems it is very common for people to use a D30 front, I believe some do the D40 however, also it seems the rear has been swapped for the D40, or just kept as the 8.25.... Just wondering the reasons behind that. Is it all due to cost? The D40 perhaps being a larger more expensive axle, so to save money we put the d30 up front, and we also keep our existing rears, just to save the money as well?

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:07 am

Yes several use the HP D30 bc it is the same width as the C8.25, so by using the D30 we can keep the 8.25 and just re-gear it, and its been said that the 8.25 is about the same in strength as the D44. So as long as you re-gear the 8.25 would be fine with 35" tires, especially if you add come chromoly front and rear. :twisted:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:56 am

If you plan on only running 33-35's and being gentle on the skinny pedal and doing moderate to Mild "Hard" wheeling the 8.25 will be plenty for Most people.

allyrand has been running his 8.25 for a couple years now on lots of tough trails w/ no problems so far. His speedo works fine and all is well w/ his Factory 29 spline axles. You can get Yukon axle shafts for the 8.25 so that is an option if you are afraid of the stock shafts.

The 8.25 is comparable in strength to a D44 and only issue is the C-clip shafts. They are not as big a problem if running rear disc brakes though as the caliper will retain a broken shaft should it ever happen. Lockers, gears, diff covers are all readily available for the 8.25 too so it really is a fine diff for the job.

The HPD30 is commonly used so far because it is readily available, easily upgraded, fairly cheap to buy and it Will live fine w/ 33-35's and a light pedal foot. You can build them to handle even tougher wheeling as proven by many built and hard wheeled XJ's and TJ's even on sticky 35's.

Another example of this is allyrand again using a Stock HPD30 w/ Stock shafts and an ARB locker and still no problems w/ quite a bit of wheeling so far. More proof that this swap can be done simply and affordably for the most part.

ObiHann · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:13 pm

How big can the liberty go for tires? What is the biggest people ahve done after a SFA? Something tells me we won't be running 44s, and be street legal LOL

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:07 pm

ObiHann wrote:

How big can the liberty go for tires? What is the biggest people ahve done after a SFA? Something tells me we won't be running 44s, and be street legal LOL

I think the blinged out Red one from a couple years ago originally had 37's under it but it sat higher than any others too. iirc I read that it was now running smaller tires.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:04 pm

If you want a D30 to live while using 35" tires you will want to read this,it's a must.......
http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/129_0804_jeep_grand_cherokee_front_axle/index.html

ARBSeth bent his HP30 with his 35" tires,it's a common issue,so common that many companies now have gusset kits for the new JK front diifs.
http://www.burnsvilleoffroad.com/Articles/RockproofJKAxleUpgradeKit.aspx

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:09 pm

Quote:

ARBSeth bent his HP30 with his 35" tires,it's a common issue

Mostly "common" though on those that like to get Air. Ask Seth, he was really hammering on his KJ when it happened. Regardless, It Can be a problem and can be addressed. Just gotta decide how hard you will be on parts before taking the plunge. Jeeps are funny like that, no matter how much you build it up, you almost always find a weak link and end up upgrading. Just gotta pick a budget to build too or decide to only do certain level trails if you want to keep it "cheap" long term.

I can't wait to upgrade my SFA........ :twisted:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:15 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Quote:

ARBSeth bent his HP30 with his 35" tires,it's a common issue

Mostly "common" though on those that like to get Air. Ask Seth, he was really hammering on his KJ when it happened. Regardless, It Can be a problem and can be addressed. Just gotta decide how hard you will be on parts before taking the plunge. Jeeps are funny like that, no matter how much you build it up, you almost always find a weak link and end up upgrading. Just gotta pick a budget to build too or decide to only do certain level trails if you want to keep it "cheap" long term.

I can't wait to upgrade my SFA........ :twisted:

Yeah I know he was rather hard on it.I'm going to be no less on mine,that's why I choose the HP44 with there 1/2" walled axle tubes.Really wasn't anymore $$$ then a comparable built HP30.Plus I can always upgrade to that nice matching RockJock60 front

,when/if I ever need to(there's $8000 out the door :twisted:

).

ohv_kj · **Posted:** Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:35 am

well i run 35's now and i have had no problems... bought some cromo's front and rear for a really good price but haven't put them in until i do brake somthing...oh to let you know i am going a tad bigger but only to 36/1350 Irock...i'm keeping the height i'm at and and it will make my kj alittle wider...just got back krawlin on some rocks and the jeep makes me nervous on side slops but ppl watching says it doesn't look to[p heavy at all...i just need to get used to it still...

oh the hpd30 is about 2-3" shorter then our 8.25...width is the name of the game so don't be afraid to run wide axles unless your state has a law against it

ARBSeth · **Posted:** Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:15 pm

I snapped cromo shafts... and the housing liked to smile.
I do drive harder that the average cat, though. Lil Sluice is no place for a KJ, SFA or otherwise...one of these days I'll put up the pictures if I can ever find them. Total boomage about 3/4 of the way up Lil Sluice.

The KJ is damned heavy... if you want 35's and no problems, ditch the 30.

Inc · **Posted:** Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:31 pm

Seth, what do you think your SFA weighs?

XR · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:51 pm

See here

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:40 pm

XR wrote:

See here

That does nothing to the common axle tube bending that occurs when you run 35"+ tires on a D30.

XR · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:57 pm

I said nothing about tires at all.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:07 pm

XR wrote:

I said nothing about tires at all.

Might want to since no more 4.5 on 5 BP anymore with those,they are pretty but the smallest BP is 5.5 on 5.You'd need to run different rims up front or convert the rear to match.

XR · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:36 pm

And have Moser customs made for the rear.You not the only guy that owns tools.I'll build my Jeep you build yours.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:39 pm

XR wrote:

And have Moser customs made for the rear.You not the only guy that owns tools.I'll build my Jeep you build yours.Leave me alone.Clear?

What about brakes in the rear with thye custom Moser axles with 5.5 on 5 BP? Just trying to get all the info out so no one is mislead.

Oh and one question...............

Why convert to D44 outers on a D30 anyway(just polishing a turd right)? Might as well have the rest of the D44 to go along with the D44 outers. Just asking.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:50 am

Could you also just use another chrysler 8.25 axle and just flip it around to put in the front?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:49 am

icarl wrote:

Could you also just use another chrysler 8.25 axle and just flip it around to put in the front?

No

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:41 pm

icarl wrote:

Could you also just use another chrysler 8.25 axle and just flip it around to put in the front?

how would you steer?? Your best bet for a front axle IMO is the HP D30, they are abundant and cheap and are pretty strong

Did some light reading....

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