[cosxjfan]

What are my options for upgraded axle shafts on the D30 front axle? I've done some looking around the web, and quite frankly so far the prices are stupid. Anyone know of a good one that isn't $600.00, I've not had much luck!! Thanks guys!!

 

[BlueXJ]

USA Alloys are a little stronger than Yukon but as stated the prices are just crazy. I had a friend that had a custom set made for his CJ with a Ford 9" mated with a D44 outers and only paid $725 for them made from scratch by Moser.

 

[cosxjfan]

If the going price is that much, I'll just go buy some from the JY to keep as spares. Those prices are just stupid. Hell, you can buy the whole axle for a bit more...WTF!!

 

[BlueXJ]

That's what I have for spares is j/y rebuilds. Got them for $75 and rebuilt them for another $30 so just over a C note in them and will get me out of the woods.

 

[cosxjfan]

Seems like a pretty economical solution!! I'm not paying $600.00 for alloy shafts!! At some point I plan on a narrowed D44 up front anyway. I didn't realize how much those dang things cost!! OUCH!!

 

[2drx4]

There's a reason they cost that much... They're worth it.

Although, admittadly I'd not bother buying them for a D30. Unless they were used. I sold my Yukon D44 Chromos/joints for $400, which is probably what I bought them for, but they're like $850 or $900 new IIRC. So, used is a decent option as you can always resell them if you don't screw them up (that's a toss-up).

 

[Jeepin Jason]

If the going price is that much, I'll just go buy some from the JY to keep as spares. Those prices are just stupid. Hell, you can buy the whole axle for a bit more...WTF!!

They're not stupid, they are what they are. They may be more than you can afford, or more than you're willing to pay (I fall into both those categories), but they're priced based on the cost of materials, manufacturing, and demand. By your logic new car prices are stupid too because you can go buy an old used one for a lot less. Stock shafts vs Alloys are like a 1/2-ton truck vs a diesel 1-ton. You pay more for the stronger, higher performance version.

That said, yeah, you can buy a lot of used shafts for trail spares for the cost of a set of alloy shafts. :thumbsup: I've got alloys for both our Jeeps, but the only reason is because I got a good deal on both sets, otherwise I'd have just picked up a set of used stock shafts for spares.

 

[Kyle]

They're not stupid, they are what they are. They may be more than you can afford, or more than you're willing to pay (I fall into both those categories), but they're priced based on the cost of materials, manufacturing, and demand. By your logic new car prices are stupid too because you can go buy an old used one for a lot less. Stock shafts vs Alloys are like a 1/2-ton truck vs a diesel 1-ton. You pay more for the stronger, higher performance version.

That said, yeah, you can buy a lot of used shafts for trail spares for the cost of a set of alloy shafts. :thumbsup: I've got alloys for both our Jeeps, but the only reason is because I got a good deal on both sets, otherwise I'd have just picked up a set of used stock shafts for spares.

That being said have you run into any problems with your alloys?

 

[TripleXJ]

I run Super 30 shafts in mine and yeah they run $750 new but between them and the heavy duty U Joints one thing I never worry about when wheeling is breaking something up front, I also am running Chromoly shafts in the rear and as hard as I wheel I have never had a axle problem

 

[Jeepin Jason]

That being said have you run into any problems with your alloys?

None. Haven't had any problems with the stock shafts in our TJ yet either though (haven't installed the alloys in it yet). TJ has stock shafts, stock 297 u-joints, 4.88 gears, OX, and 35" MT/Rs (and now 36" IROKs). XJ has Warn alloy inner and outers, regular 297 u-joints, 4.56 gear, ARB, and the small manual hub kit, with the same 35" and 36" tires.

edit: the Warn hub kit was well used when I got it too.

 

[Kyle]

Very good to know, I didnt know you were running 36's on the TJ.

 

[muddeprived]

Alot of people recommend getting spares and just bringing them along but you should think about what happens when an axle shaft breaks. It can break other things along with it, such as the Ring and Pinion. If that breaks, no spare shaft will get you home.

Consider your tire size, wheeling style, and previous carnage and let that be a deciding factor on whether you wanna carry spares and save $$ or upgrade to stronger shafts and have an empty wallet for some time. Dana 30's don't break that often so you may be fine with just spares but if you are running 35's or larger, considering the $600+ a wise upgrade.

 

[Jeepin Jason]

Very good to know, I didnt know you were running 36's on the TJ.

Yeah, it's the same set as the XJ gets to run. Having two project vehicles gets expensive and we really needed a new set of tires as the MT/Rs on both Jeeps are about 6 years old now and starting to show their age (plus the trails we run now are kinda pushing the limits of 35" radials).

Neither Jeep sees regular daily driving duties, they get towed on a trailer to events, and we only ever take one out at a time now, so we decided to spend a little extra on one nice set of dedicated off-road wheels and tires, vs buying two sets of MT/Rs or something similar again.

 

[cosxjfan]

Alot of people recommend getting spares and just bringing them along but you should think about what happens when an axle shaft breaks. It can break other things along with it, such as the Ring and Pinion. If that breaks, no spare shaft will get you home.

Consider your tire size, wheeling style, and previous carnage and let that be a deciding factor on whether you wanna carry spares and save $$ or upgrade to stronger shafts and have an empty wallet for some time. Dana 30's don't break that often so you may be fine with just spares but if you are running 35's or larger, considering the $600+ a wise upgrade.

Haven't broke anything axle wise....yet. I don't plan on going bigger than 35s, but we all know how that goes!! I will just run the stockers, until the D44 swap, which is a considerable ways off!! Thanks for all the input guys!!

 

[Mudderoy]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't a broken axle lead to a nice vertical 180? Not all the time I am sure, but losing traction at the wrong moment can cost you the entire rig.

 

[Kyle]

Im sure under the right circumstances it is possible, I dont know how likely it is.

Most certainly not a good thing.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

$600 is worth it to me to not have to change an axle shaft on the trail.

 

[Kyle]

$600 is worth it to me to not have to change an axle shaft on the trail.

Well never say never But I agree, im a lazy person.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Well never say never But I agree, im a lazy person.

I can't say never, as I have broken a few alloy shafts in the past. But a lot less than when I was running stock shafts.

 

[Jeepin Jason]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't a broken axle lead to a nice vertical 180? Not all the time I am sure, but losing traction at the wrong moment can cost you the entire rig.

not that I've ever seen.