Dana 30 do it or dont

[Jump This]

Another point of view...
Matty's TNT truss is also welded like Cal's is.
But there is a feeling amongst some builders that once you have had
a R&P failure caused by case deflection (and not poor quality ring gears or installs) that you run a much greater risk of failure again.
My 30 is untrussed, unreinforced, and unloved and I am still running the same R&P I have for over four years (damn, now I'm sure to break....)

 

[cal]

Another point of view...
Matty's TNT truss is also welded like Cal's is.
But there is a feeling amongst some builders that once you have had
a R&P failure caused by case deflection (and not poor quality ring gears or installs) that you run a much greater risk of failure again.
My 30 is untrussed, unreinforced, and unloved and I am still running the same R&P I have for over four years (damn, now I'm sure to break....)

I have a suspicion his housing is bent. i was going to talk to him about that tonight..

 

[xjtrailrider]

Cal, did you use the drivers side stock UCA mount or did you cut it off and start from scratch? It looks like they have been raised up some but I thought I would ask.

I like this set-up and this is what I plan on doing to mine as well as tie into the RuffStuff cover.

Nice job sleeving that tube!

 

[cal]

Yes, both the uppers and lowers are raised about an inch.

 

[slcpunk74]

Are you using flex joints on the axle side uppers? If so where did you get them and would they fit the stock uca mounts?

 

[cal]

They are Rubicon Express joints.

1) I would not use them again. Do Currie joints, they hold up better.

2) They are welded to a custom mount, so no, won't fit in stock.

3) Currie makes a Johnny Joint kit that will fit in the stock mounts. There is a brace for non disco housings that comes with it which requires welding.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/CESTORE/Product.aspx?id=1277

 

[MoparManiac]

I didn't think you'd want all hard joints on the UCAs due to binding during flex on a 4-link?

 

[cal]

I don't run a 4 link, I'm pretty sure you don't either.

There is some binding, but its not within range of our suspension travel. I run 12" bilstien 7100's and have no problem using every inch of their travel. When my shock maxes out, the coil has unseated and dropped about 3/4". I don't think any more droop than that has much function.

If I unhook them, I droop another ~5 inches or so before it binds.

 

[MoparManiac]

You're right I don't

The concept still works for radius arms too. You don't bind at all? At full droop I can easily see binding (5.5" with 12" Bilstein 5150s).

[hijack]
I thought I saw that you were coming to NAC-fest? Is this true???
[/hijack]

 

[cal]

I bind a bit below max droop. drop brackets may be helping there? Also very flat trackbar (WJ conversion).

The plan is to make nacfest yes, but its contigent on my work schedule. I'm trying to arrange things where I'll be in NYC the week prior, and hop a train up to Johnny and Melissa's, and head out with them.

 

[MoparManiac]

Ah yes drop brackets probably would help ya, but you're not running a 4-link? Your control arms are probably close to parallel? I have the WJ conversion as well with the JKS OTA bracket, but my trac bar isn't so parallel.

Sounds good man. Hopefully see ya there!

 

[Boostwerks.com]

IMHO, thats pretty crucial to beefing up the 30. MattyJ is breaking ring gears faster than I change my oil.

BTW, what brand gears you run cal? :worship:

 

[beakie]

3) Currie makes a Johnny Joint kit that will fit in the stock mounts. There is a brace for non disco housings that comes with it which requires welding.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/CESTORE/Product.aspx?id=1277

is this a kit you would recommend for someone running the TNT longarms?
do you think bind would be an issue with that kit, as opposed to the stock suspension or 3/4link long arms?
I am currently putting some time and effort into a D30 and was either going to get the WJ bushings or something like the currie pieces to replace the stock ones which have crapped out.

thanks

 

[asp]

Ah yes drop brackets probably would help ya, but you're not running a 4-link? Your control arms are probably close to parallel? I have the WJ conversion as well with the JKS OTA bracket, but my trac bar isn't so parallel.

Sounds good man. Hopefully see ya there!

colin... tisk tisk.

4 link:

stock (and most variants on stock) of xj front suspension are 4 links + panhard

and colin, your trac bar is much more horizontal than most people's who have the same amount of lift as you, because the mount is 3.75" lower (or somewhere around there)

i'm sure his binds, but not till it's farther drooped than he has it set up for.

 

[cal]

BTW, what brand gears you run cal? :worship:

Precision, cryo'd, and setup by CLEAN-RC.

 

[cal]

is this a kit you would recommend for someone running the TNT longarms?
do you think bind would be an issue with that kit, as opposed to the stock suspension or 3/4link long arms?
I am currently putting some time and effort into a D30 and was either going to get the WJ bushings or something like the currie pieces to replace the stock ones which have crapped out.

thanks

No. If you're going to run a radius arm kit, stay with rubber bushings at the UCA's. The arms like to 'twist' in the mount just a little off the axis a flex joint will allow.

 

[cal]

i'm sure his binds, but not till it's farther drooped than he has it set up for.

I keep sayin that.

 

[asp]

I keep sayin that.

you in fact said it binds '~5"' below your 12" travel bilsteins:thumbup:

 

[beakie]

No. If you're going to run a radius arm kit, stay with rubber bushings at the UCA's. The arms like to 'twist' in the mount just a little off the axis a flex joint will allow.

thanks, good to know.

 

[MoparManiac]

colin... tisk tisk.

stock (and most variants on stock) of xj front suspension are 4 links + panhard

and colin, your trac bar is much more horizontal than most people's who have the same amount of lift as you, because the mount is 3.75" lower (or somewhere around there)

i'm sure his binds, but not till it's farther drooped than he has it set up for.

I guess I should have specified "+panhard". :gee:

Yeah my trac bar is more horizontal, but at full droop I'm at the point where it's about to bind. The two UCA rubber bushings are pretty much maxed out.

No. If you're going to run a radius arm kit, stay with rubber bushings at the UCA's. The arms like to 'twist' in the mount just a little off the axis a flex joint will allow.

This is more of what I was referring to, I didn't think you'd want hard joints at both ends of a 4-link.

Oh yeah "+panhard".