JJsKJ wrote:
If you polish up a Turdy real Purdy it will work fine w/ 33-35's and live long if wheeled gently enough. (meaning light throttle foot)
You can get some pretty beefy parts for the 30 and plenty are beating up on them regularly w/ no problems. If I had access to a 44 I would go that route though.
There isn't anything wrong with a D30, and it's even better if it's a High Pinnion D30. A HPD30 is very close to a LPD44 in strength since the pinnion gear pushes on the ring gear instead of pulling like a LP. Plus with "TJ" axle shafts and 297 u-joints the D30 holds up fine. Upgrade to a LPD44, and you get basically the same axles with less ground clearance. If you are looking for better, then yes a HP44 would be great too, but way more cash. For 35" and smaller tires the D30 is fine. If you don't believe me, try to keep up on the Hammers with our "Turdy" HPD30 in the TJ
You could get way better axle in front, but most wheelers don't need to drop the better side of $5,000 to $6,000 for a D60, plus with the 60 you would lose a bunch of clearance with the smaller tires. For the 33" tires Wally is gonna roll on, the HPD30 will be a great set up, and it will leave some budget for the "new" t-case