Weak points for Dana 30

[CCFather]

I want to stay stock. What are the weak points for the Dana 30 and how can I improve them.

Looking to do lite duty wheeling.

 

[Spieg]

Probably the lockouts are the weakest point (intentionally so). Chromoly shafts are a popular upgrade along with a 30 spline carrier. Not much you can do about the ring/pinion gear.

At some point it probably becomes cheaper/better to get a D44 (or D60).

 

[Kane]

Light duty wheeling and 33 in tires or less you can leave it be. Mine held up for over 20 years with no issues other than regular maintenance and a seal or two.

 

[Rosco1974]

Both of the above.

 

[CCFather]

Ok I’m going to leave it be. Just change the fluid and probably paint it.

 

[spankrjs]

Been wheeling Dana 30's with 33's for over 25 years.

On my red Scrambler, 33's, OX Locker, chrome moly Dana 44 shafts, internal spline hubs, 4.10 gears, over 39,000 miles of highway/wheeling, no problems. Three trips to Utah, two trips to Michigan, ORV parks in Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, etc etc, no problems.

33's, moderate horse power, common sense, hard to difficult wheeling, no worries

Any of the above changes, maybe time for an upgrade

 

[CHIEFWAHO]

 

[Spieg]

LOL... that's a good one!

 

[tower210]

6 bolt hub upgrade seems to be really popular.....

KK

 

[AK-RWC]

Our version of the Dana 30 really isn't all that bad. I know people who have been wheeling them for years, locked, on 35"s up here. The 6-bolt hub is really the only thing that I believe is worth doing.