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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

The Lp D30 had a rep for stripping ring gear teeth. D44's from Scouts & FSJ's were very popular swaps into CJ's due to that. The diameter of the LPD30 ring gear is a tiny tiny 7.2" where the D44 is 8.5". Considering that for 30 years the LPD30 also had 260-series axle u-joints it made for a bad axle.

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LOST # 633
'05 KJ 3.7L/6spd/241 245/75/16 MT's
'88 MJ 4.0L/AW4/231 SWB HPD30 & trac-loc D44 w/3.73's
A dirty Jeep is a happy Jeep

the site advertises the steel will allow for a larger lift... my question is how much??? are we talking an exra inch, or are we talking an extra eight inchs like the SFA???

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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3389540/1
http://www.facebook.com/CharlotteOffroad
Detroit Locker, Warn M8000, Carolina Truggies Rock Rails & Exo Hybrid, Corbeau XP, AMSteel Synthetic Winch Line, BFG Mud Terrain, OME 790 CRD Springs, Optima Red Top, Alpine Headunit, Alpine Type-R Speakers, etc...

I can't see it. The steel diff will allow you to run larger tires by itself. Max lift amount will still be dictated by Diff Location, or LCA length/CV Angle. We're at the limit now... Maybe with this diff we can step up to a 32.5 or a 33 if we increase or bumpstops more. For the price (at least to me) it isn't worth it. Maybe as a replacement if I grenade my 30a. But when if I do that, I'll SFA anyway.

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- Mike
'12 JK

Jeep Tech Files

I agree with daspes
The steel diff will allow larger lifts in a way since it "should" be stronger and allow for bigger tires and lower gears. But the costs associated with it will be in the lower range of doing a SFA though. Figure in say a 6 inch lift, bigger tires, rear gears, the steel diff with lower gears etc and you're in the 7000-8000 dollar range easy and that's with no labor for the install if you can't do it yourself.

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

A budget minded individual should be able to pick up the necessary SFA hardparts for about 4000, then it's just the cost of labor for the custom Coilover and LCA Mounts.

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- Mike
'12 JK

Jeep Tech Files

I'm sure the larger lift comments are keying off of Al's original work on the 6 inch lift - that generated enough clearance for larger tires - but couldn't get over the Aluminum housing limitations.
So Marlin probably sees it not as a stand alone reliability improvement but also a chance to sell the taller lifts.

I don't think I'll be going over 32's anyway but I'd like to know the Diff isn't going to split.

it's not clear there's such a thing as a 'budget SFA' - maybe if you're doing all of the labor yourself, but paying someone else adds up fast.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Labor if doing a SFA or a steel diff will add up fast if you have to pay someone else to do it.
Either way it cost $$$ to go higher, stronger , faster, better

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I'm not sure that this diff is totally directed towards the guy that wants a monster kj. I think that that guy that has blown 1 or 2 al. ones and likes the way his jeep performs would want one of these. We have already seen guys with 33's crammed under an ifs that loved them until BOOM!!!

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SOLD!!!
2005 Liberty Renegade
STT CustomSTUFF
4" Stump Lift.
JBA UCA's
245/75/16 GOODYEAR DURA TRACS


Thanks for throwing me under the bus Evil... Just remember this when you decide to turn yours back in to a... Real Jeep.

I agree with, wait I'm agreeing with stumpjumper
I don't really see it as a way to get say 6 inches of lift and run 33's/35's more as a way to prevent future problems ( possibly)
but then that's also why I keep a stack of D30a's in the corner of the garage! Pick them up cheap and be ready

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I never said there was a budget SFA, but that some who was budget minded could pick up all the parts without breaking the bank. Labor, for those who don't have access to the tools or the knowledge will rack up either way. Custom mounts and install of an SFA or Building up an axle and install of a 6" lift... Either is going to be expensive.



I still think the limit with this axle is going to 33's. Even with another 1.5" of lift there is no way that I could squeeze 35's under the KJ, including bumpstopping all articulation out of the axles. $7,300 (axle + 6" lift) just to run 1" larger tire... naw, I'll SFA mine.

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- Mike
'12 JK

Jeep Tech Files

I don't baby my KJ but I do worry about that Dana 30a up there. I know there has been times when I was just waiting to hear that bang. The piece of mind of knowing that it's steel will be nice. I know a person can destroy the Dana 30 but no as easy as what we have.

Terry

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

I agree...X2. I am one of those people who would rather have a VERY STOUT axle with minimal lift. Now, how stout this axle will be is anybody's guess right now, but if we can get a "heavy duty" IFS to replace the D30a we have now, AND be comprable to a solid axle (3K?), I think it would be well worth it.

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2006 Sport
6 speed man, 3.7 gas
Mopar skids and tow hooks
Sirius radio
arb bumper
rusty's 2 1/2" lift w/ clevis
245/75/16 MTR's

I think its a step in another direction for us but to try , Funny thing is, over the years I have heard of more busted 30s and helped swap out more 30s than 30a's. Of course not that many people have the Libertys and actually wheel them.
I wonder what the CVs will do, if they will be the next weak link ???
Also have seen a few 30s that the housing flexes enough to allow the ring and pinion to spread apart and then the pinion gear can run over the ring gear. Much like the present 30a's do.
But with staying with 32's and 4.56s should last a while longer than the 30a's for sure.

Well as you all go swapping out the 30a's keep me in mind. I'll buy your old ones for 50 bucks each , I should be able to run for quite a while with 6 or 8 stockpiled!

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I wonder, HP30, inch drop front diff., 4.10, Trutrax, double cardian Ujoint driveshaft = Hmmmmmmm !!!

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96 XJ with a lot of crap !!
04 KJ with some crap!!
15 Forester XT
14 STI Wagon
75 Cutlass "S"

I wish you could multi-quote here as there has been alot said since I last checked in. I for one don't mind if the fusible link becomes the CV's. Whole lot cheaper, quicker, and easier to fix/swap one of those out than a whole busted diff!!!! Especially as a trail repair!!!...........Ever try to swap a front diff out on the side of a hill stuck on some rock? If I bust a CV, I can have it changed out and rolling again in about 30 min at a shop or in base camp; under an hour, even if it's on the trail. Also, even if you did have a stack full of free D30a's, it doesn't take into account the fact you destroy more than just the housing when this happens!!!! At the least, as in my most recent incident............you take out the housing, ring and pinion, and fry the bearings. If your lucky, the differential is left unharmed and can be reused along with the CV's. So, as a bare minimum, taking your time to locate used parts, and most everyone needing professional gear/diff install..........your looking at $1000+ easy! if purchased all separate. If your lucky, you might find a complete assembled unit with the correct gear ratio ready to bolt-in for less. But that doesn't take into account if you have an ARB or DTT that is still good and reusable from your busted diff which you might want to reuse, as any complete unit you do find will most undoubtedly have an open diff.


Once I get this from Marlin and have it installed, my total out the door cost will be $2235, so nowhere near the cost of a SFA swap!!!!! I will be doing one in the near future mind you, just not feasible at this time. And you can be assured, that when it does come time for my SFA, this entire front assembly will go up for sake here on L.O.S.T.

$1500-steel housing
$180-Precision G2 ring&pinion set
$95-Master diff install kit
$440-labor and shop fees installed by local 4Wheel Parts
$20-used OEM front skid plate pulled from junk yard
$0- 3/16 steel plate welded to factory skid for reinforcement (a buddy owes me a favor)

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2005 Black CRD KJ____Full GDE turbo kit, EHM, 6.5L GMCTD lift pump, euro tq conv, 31" Duratracs on 15x7 Procomps w/3.75"bs
2.5" lift, full skids, Super Skink Sliders, front JBA Steel Diff w/True-Trac___Powertax "No-Slip" locker rear
Tow Rig: 2003 Silver 2wd Dodge 2500 reg. cab 5.9 Cummins (highly modded with 550hp/1200tq+)

2 mopar
maybe you missed the


but I understand where you are going, I was just making a comment , plus I do keep a stack of 30a's in the corner of the garage and I don't need 4 Wheel Parts

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

2 grand is not bad at all for a upgrade in the IFS aluminum to steel department

whether i'd rather bust a few diffs or bust a few claymores.. um, i mean CV's eh..

CV's are cheep enough, but can get costly depending on what they end up thrashing during destruction

If I was dead set on not doing a SFA should the front diff break, and i blew the front diff, i'd probably get the 2 grand steel rather than the however much New Aluminum unit

However if I had access to a (or a few) very cheep used aluminum units - i'd probably go that route simply because I typically do have the time to do it myself, and would rather spend a day or two doing that than spending a dollar more than I had to

Unless it became a habit like it has for some here

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03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

There's going to be more costs involved,your forgetting you will need a new front driveshaft also.Then while your at it might as well through in a locker(you still can not use a autolocker due to locked hubs).That's about $1000-$1500 more added to the price.

It is supposted to be to factory size specs except for steel. Why would you need to have a different drive shaft?

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SOLD!!!
2005 Liberty Renegade
STT CustomSTUFF
4" Stump Lift.
JBA UCA's
245/75/16 GOODYEAR DURA TRACS


Thanks for throwing me under the bus Evil... Just remember this when you decide to turn yours back in to a... Real Jeep.