steel front diff

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:02 pm

Well, without further adieu. Here's the long awaited pics.

As you can see in this pic, it was easy to eliminate the only real problem we ran into.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:51 pm

One small step for your KJ... one giant leave for KJ kind.

Awesome that that is the only problem you ran into.. keep the review going!!

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:59 pm

Did you get a discount to find the fitment problem on top of the drain plug problem?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:07 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

Did you get a discount to find the fitment problem on top of the drain plug problem?

I'm not at Liberty (ha, ha! i just noticed the irony) to discuss any such matters, but not really..........Marlin is helping me out in other ways. As for the fitment, it's only an issue with CRD's due to their larger oil pan sump. I looked at another KJ with a 3.7 and they would have about 2" of clearance in the same area of the mounting tabs that my oil pan hit.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:15 pm

Speaking of drain plug, where is it? And it looks like you had to cut out a section of the front bracket?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:28 pm

linewarbr wrote:

Speaking of drain plug, where is it? And it looks like you had to cut out a section of the front bracket?

That come on ver. 2.0

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:35 pm

linewarbr wrote:

Speaking of drain plug, where is it? And it looks like you had to cut out a section of the front bracket?

It's on the very bottom of the diff cover where the black spot is at. As for cutting out that piece of the braket, I did that only to make getting at the drain and fill plugs easier. In no way is it necessary. As for what Marlin will have done as a fix for future customers, I can't speak for him........but I do know its been fixed on all future versions!

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:32 pm

What exactly do you need to add to the D30 before you can bolt her in?

Terry

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:33 pm

what is the weight difference?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:02 pm

Fulltimer wrote:

What exactly do you need to add to the D30 before you can bolt her in?

Terry

All that's needed is a ring&pinion set and full install kit w/bearings, seals, and shims..........also, if it was me, although its not needed, I would upgrade to a new LSD or selectable locker while its all apart. Or you can simply reuse your oem open diff if you want.

As for weight, empty case vs. empty case, the factory aluminum one I weighed at 14lb. and this new steel one is 37lb, so your looking at an extra 23lb

linewarbr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:58 am

So what you got from JBA did NOT include diff internals? You had to supply everything?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:53 pm

linewarbr wrote:

So what you got from JBA did NOT include diff internals? You had to supply everything?

That's the way I ordered it yes. Came as a bare case with axle bearings, axle seals, and pinion seal installed. He does offer complete units with all internals to your liking though, at an additional cost.

Neatus · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:11 pm

I think this is a really cool setup. I hope it works well for you guys that do this. Time to make some Jeepspeed KJ's!

tonycrd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:16 pm

My biggest worry about this diffhousing was if it would (or not) clear the crossmember...it does seem very close to it...??

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:41 pm

tonycrd wrote:

My biggest worry about this diffhousing was if it would (or not) clear the crossmember...it does seem very close to it...??

The pics are a bit deceiving from that angle, there's about 1/2" of clearance around the pinion snout and the cross-member. So, not much less than the original.

Jackson02 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:40 pm

Did the driveshaft need any modifications to fit?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:50 pm

Jackson02 wrote:

Did the driveshaft need any modifications to fit?

None.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:08 am

So the biggest question is how does it drive?

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:01 am

Diggerfreek wrote:

So the biggest question is how does it drive?

I'm still assessing this. I have a tight, high speed vibration that comes on about 70mph or so that feels like a u-joint, and some kind of weird noises from the front, when in full time and 4hi, but have no idea if it's related to this or not. Could be the gears, as I know some aftermarket gears tend to make a bit of noise, or it could be the DTT I reused that might have been slightly damaged when I busted the last diff case, or even the cv's. Who knows.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:08 am

2mopar_diesels wrote:

Diggerfreek wrote:

So the biggest question is how does it drive?

I'm still assessing this. I have a tight, high speed vibration that comes on about 70mph or so that feels like a u-joint, and some kind of weird noises from the front, when in full time and 4hi, but have no idea if it's related to this or not. Could be the gears, as I know some aftermarket gears tend to make a bit of noise, or it could be the DTT I reused that might have been slightly damaged when I busted the last diff case, or even the cv's. Who knows.

I see... SO when is the first trip back to D30a hill :-)r

steel front diff

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