D30: RCV Performance or chromoly with 760's

[loki_racer]

I've bounced this around a couple times, but the time has finally come. I can't afford to run stock shafts (junk yard spares are impossible to find here).

D30, 35's on beadlocks, 4:88, lunchbox locker.

Let's say I have $1000 to spend. Both RCV and chomolies with 760 joints can be had for under $1000. Which should I go with?

I drove about 2000 miles on it last year, most of those driving to and from two ECORS races. Getting warranty replacement shafts could take me a month just in shipping times, not including turn around times, so consider that when voting.

 

[Team Willys]

By far my opinion is with RCV especially on a D30. My reasoning: Chromolly shafts for a D30 are about $700. If you want a good u-joint that's not going to brake, then you gotta spend at least another $300, putting you at $1000. Now here's the problem with that... A good u-joint isn't going to be street friendly because its not going to have needle bearings which basically means you can't run them on the road very much at all. So, you could run regular spicer joints with full circle clips... but they aren't that strong, and if one breaks, you are probably sol because most shaft companies will not warranty a busted shaft with bent ears caused by a joint failure. So with u-joint shafts you have to compromise one way or another. With the RCV, you can street drive, there are no binding issues that are associated with a u-joint shaft, they are quite a bit stronger, and they have a no B.S. you break it they replace it warranty, of which you will likely never need. I have a set in mine, and have already been through one ring and pinion set... shafts were not harmed.

When you get ready to order let me know, I am an authorized dealer for them.

 

[jonzer12]

I am running 30 spline chromo's with 760x on 35's. Pretty confident in them.
If it is worth it to you to never have to change a u-joint again, spend the extra $400 on the RCV's. Otherwise just save some cash.
I got my full set of axles with u-joints for $405 bucks.

 

[loki_racer]

I can get high quality chromoly's with 760 joints for $500 shipped. RCV's come in at $1000 + shipping.

I asked about the ears being warrantied against joint failure. These chromoly shafts are warrantied against joint failure.

Team Willys, PM a price for RCV's shipped to 28613.

 

[256offroad]

I can get high quality chromoly's with 760 joints for $500 shipped. RCV's come in at $1000 + shipping.

I asked about the ears being warrantied against joint failure. These chromoly shafts are warrantied against joint failure.

Team Willys, PM a price for RCV's shipped to 28613.

what chromos are you talking about that warranty ujoint failure?

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

what chromos are you talking about that warranty ujoint failure?

Nitro has a no questions asked warranty..

 

[High2by]

I would go with the RCV's. I ran 35's on beadlocks and broke alloy shafts on both sides with an Aussie in it. I never broke a 760 though. I went with a 44 in the front but if I had kept the 30, it would have had the RCV's.

I've been told I'm kinda rough on axle shafts though.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

It's a dana 30.. with 35" tires you WILL break stuff.. shafts are easier to replace then a Ring/pinion setup.. especially on the trail!

 

[loki_racer]

It's a dana 30.. with 35" tires you WILL break stuff.. shafts are easier to replace then a Ring/pinion setup.. especially on the trail!

I'm not sure how this adds anything to the conversation, but thanks for chiming in. Other than pointing out your opinion that a D30 can't handle 35's, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

With moderate wheeling, a D30 can handle 35's all day long. Throw in alloy shafts, and I can name a dozen people that haven't had any problems. Anything can be broken, it's all in how it's driven.

Team Willys is getting me some pricing on RCV's, hopefully I can afford them.

 

[Team Willys]

Nitro has a no questions asked warranty..

Only with their 300M u-joint (same as bobby long) and they are NOT street friendly.

 

[loki_racer]

RCV's order via Team Willys. Thumbs up for Team Willys. Fast response, awesome prices.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I'm not sure how this adds anything to the conversation, but thanks for chiming in. Other than pointing out your opinion that a D30 can't handle 35's, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

my point is, a d30 will break parts. snap shafts, untill you upgrade to shafts strong enough, and then you will be snapping Carriers, Upgrade to a full case locker, then the weak link is the ring gear.. It's not rocket science.. its fact.. look it up! For what its worth, Im running 35s on a D30.. I fully accept the facts..

 

[time2getdirty]

It seems a lot of the people in the Colorado chapter are running d30s and 35" with beadlocks, and not having any problems with breakage. In4aride is running cromo shafts and is working fine, I am running RCVs, 3 other people I know are running stock shafts and not having a problem.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

It seems a lot of the people in the Colorado chapter are running d30s and 35" with beadlocks, and not having any problems with breakage. In4aride is running cromo shafts and is working fine, I am running RCVs, 3 other people I know are running stock shafts and not having a problem.

In4aride wheels?:dunno:

(here it comes:shhh

 

[loki_racer]

It seems a lot of the people in the Colorado chapter are running d30s and 35" with beadlocks, and not having any problems with breakage. In4aride is running cromo shafts and is working fine, I am running RCVs, 3 other people I know are running stock shafts and not having a problem.

I think no matter what, some people will always see the D30 as a turd. I kind of like it, but that's just me. I also like the idea of being able to run stock shafts, share with fellow jeeps, etc. This is the main reason I didn't do front axle swap.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I think no matter what, some people will always see the D30 as a turd. I kind of like it, but that's just me. I also like the idea of being able to run stock shafts, share with fellow jeeps, etc. This is the main reason I didn't do front axle swap.

That's actually a very valuable reason i still have mine.. The 30 handles 35s, but its at full capacity with 35s, so snapped shafts, carrier, Ring/pinion etc are not rare.. But there is a great sense of relief, knowing that in a group of 10 rigs, there's likely to be a spare shaft/bearing/caliper/balljoint etc etc..

 

[time2getdirty]

In4aride wheels?:dunno:

(here it comes:shhh

I guess sometimes:jester:

I would feel comfortable with 37s on my d30: RCVs, ARB, 4.88's, Crane Cover, Braced, and almost finished with truss.

 

[256offroad]

i run specialized hardened front stock shafts that was once used by superman while he was making love to wonder woman. they hold up fine to my stock shafts

 

[High2by]

I don't have anything against the D30 but for the way I wheel, it wasn't holding up. I've tried to wheel easy and I just wasn't any good at it. :roflmao:

I broke stock u-joints both the 260 and the 297, alloy shafts, separated the knuckle from the axle, and even stripped a ring & pinion. For me RCV's with a full case locker might have been ok but I was to the point that enough was enough.

But hey, that's just me. eace:

 

[Team Willys]

It really is based a lot on your driving style. My ranger is running stock shafts with 35s with a good ring and pinion and an ARB, and that's with V8 power. So I don't know... Ive had really good luck with it I guess. I like the 30 a lot, but with any serious abuse it will not live a happy life.