D30 Disconnect

[Blatant Idiot]

How can I identify a Dana 30 Non disconnect vs a Disconnect.
A guy wants to sell me a dana 30 with 4:11 and a true trac really cheap
but he doesnt know if its non disco or not (he's a storage facility owner, axle was left) how can I tell?
I put this post on Modified cuz I want to modify my Jeep
tia
Phillup

 

[ChuckD]

Well it either has the vacuum acuator on it or it doesn't. If it does, it is located near the passenger side UCA mount. You can later modify it to be non-dis later.

How does he know if it has a true trac or not, if he can't tell if it's a non-dis, sounds a little fishy.

 

[Eagle]

Check that axle very carefully before you let go of any money. When anything is abandoned at a storage facility, there is usually a reason ... and that's usually that whatever it is, isn't worth the effort to take it away.

It might be good for spare shafts and other parts, but don't get hosed by paying for a functional axle assembly unless and until you're certain that it is functional.

 

[Blatant Idiot]

What year XJs have the Disconnect axles?
does this include Wagoneer XJs ?
Isnt the vacuum disconnect on the drivers side UCA mount?

 

[woody]

The disconnect axles were used from 1984 through 91 or 92 IIRC when the disco was dropped and Jeep went with all non-discos.

The Waggy XJs were usually pretty loaded, and most with 4.0l had NP242 "fulltime" t- cases...which also had the NON disco axle. Early Waggys with fulltime 4x4 (unclear which t-case that was) may have had CV shafts instead of U-joints...these will be obvious since it'll have a rubber boot at the hub. U think these were non-disco as well... but don't quote me on that.

The Disconnect axles will have the disco-motor on the REAR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. The axle tube goes from the center-cection about a foot or so, and then swells to approx 1.5" larger diameter. The pass.side UCA mount is on top of this 'swell' and this is the cast disco motor housing. Non-disco axle tubes hold the same diameter from the center-cection to the knuckle.

Unless someone has done some swappin, disco axles will have Spicer 5-260x universal joints.

HTH

 

[woody]

Also forgot to mention...to insure it's a True Trac diff and 4.11 gears, you have to pull the cover

The True Trac has helical gears visible within (barber-pole or 'coily' spiral-cut teeth) and the case is smooth exterior surfaced, light silvery color. An open gear carrier will be rough textured with dark exterior. There will be a 5/8" crosspin and right angled gears visible through two large 'windows'. If the gearcase is rough & dark with crosspin, but you see shiny silver inside there instead of gears, it has a 'lunchbox locker'...your guess is as good as mine as to which brand.

To confirm the ratio, count the teeth (twice to be sure) and divide the pinion count into the ring gear count. This lets you look at the teeth also to see if any chipped, galled or missing.

Good luck. it sounds like a good find!