- Location
- Ocala, FL USA
I really need some opinions on putting chromoly shafts in my front 10 bolt OR going to a D-60.
I do not plan to go bigger than the 37's I'm running but I broke 3 stock 10 bolt shafts at the Crawl this year. 1 broke when the front end was wedged hard between 2 rocks and I unlocked the hubs and hammered it...well the Driver Side wasn't unlocked and it snapped the stub. The 2nd and 3rd was when my son ROMPED on it hard when it landed as he crested a ledge on LRG...sort of my fault for not telling him to stop sooner. I was actually proud of him for getting on it making it over the ledge.
Of course on Pirate everyone bashes the 10 bolt and says you can get a D-60 for the cost of chromo shafts in the 10 bolt which is BS.
The best price I've seen so far on D-60 that will ~ bolt in to the MJ (remember I have leaves up front) was $850 for the axle itself. Then I have at least $500 over and above that to put in gears, build the kingpins, set up steering etc. And that's MINIMUM.
I'm probably looking at $2000 to get a D-60 in my rig and have the 60 done to the point of not needing to do much else to it and that's if I weld up the spiders vs putting in any sort of locker. I figure stock 60 shafts should hold up fine to my 37's and stock motor but I'd have no spare parts for it at that cost.
Now on the side of the 10 bolt. The only thing it "needs" is to maybe build a new tie rod...I bent the 1.5" DOM in there now...BUT it's not really hurting anything...truck drives fine...it just looks silly being bent under there.
To my knowledge nothing else is wrong with it. (other than I broke shafts)
So I'm also thinking of keeping it at least 1 more Crawl...but putting in chromoly shafts and some high zoot joints.
I've priced them from several companies and it looks like $700-800 is about where I'd be.
So for less than half of a D-60 I can have stronger shafts. I think at that point my week link is either the pinion shaft...which I "THINK" (ha ha) would be ok...or the warn locking hubs...which I could get an extra set of those for under $100.
Plus I'd have my current stock shaft assemblies for spares should the need arise. Plus I can pick up some extra spindles etc for cheap to have those as spares too.
I mean I've seen some of you guys beat on and do way crazier things with D-30's and 35's than I've done with this and 37's...
Part of my dilemma is I do want to set it and forget it which would be the D-60 option...but I already know my budget for the next crawl is going to be TIGHT (the budget for the jeep itself that is) and I really don't think a 60 is in the cards unless I can find the "right" one for $500 which is highly unlikely given the shopping I've done thus far.
So I'm just arguing with myself now...especially since it will probably be around spring time before I can even really do either of the options.
Any thoughts?
I do not plan to go bigger than the 37's I'm running but I broke 3 stock 10 bolt shafts at the Crawl this year. 1 broke when the front end was wedged hard between 2 rocks and I unlocked the hubs and hammered it...well the Driver Side wasn't unlocked and it snapped the stub. The 2nd and 3rd was when my son ROMPED on it hard when it landed as he crested a ledge on LRG...sort of my fault for not telling him to stop sooner. I was actually proud of him for getting on it making it over the ledge.
Of course on Pirate everyone bashes the 10 bolt and says you can get a D-60 for the cost of chromo shafts in the 10 bolt which is BS.
The best price I've seen so far on D-60 that will ~ bolt in to the MJ (remember I have leaves up front) was $850 for the axle itself. Then I have at least $500 over and above that to put in gears, build the kingpins, set up steering etc. And that's MINIMUM.
I'm probably looking at $2000 to get a D-60 in my rig and have the 60 done to the point of not needing to do much else to it and that's if I weld up the spiders vs putting in any sort of locker. I figure stock 60 shafts should hold up fine to my 37's and stock motor but I'd have no spare parts for it at that cost.
Now on the side of the 10 bolt. The only thing it "needs" is to maybe build a new tie rod...I bent the 1.5" DOM in there now...BUT it's not really hurting anything...truck drives fine...it just looks silly being bent under there.
To my knowledge nothing else is wrong with it. (other than I broke shafts)
So I'm also thinking of keeping it at least 1 more Crawl...but putting in chromoly shafts and some high zoot joints.
I've priced them from several companies and it looks like $700-800 is about where I'd be.
So for less than half of a D-60 I can have stronger shafts. I think at that point my week link is either the pinion shaft...which I "THINK" (ha ha) would be ok...or the warn locking hubs...which I could get an extra set of those for under $100.
Plus I'd have my current stock shaft assemblies for spares should the need arise. Plus I can pick up some extra spindles etc for cheap to have those as spares too.
I mean I've seen some of you guys beat on and do way crazier things with D-30's and 35's than I've done with this and 37's...
Part of my dilemma is I do want to set it and forget it which would be the D-60 option...but I already know my budget for the next crawl is going to be TIGHT (the budget for the jeep itself that is) and I really don't think a 60 is in the cards unless I can find the "right" one for $500 which is highly unlikely given the shopping I've done thus far.
So I'm just arguing with myself now...especially since it will probably be around spring time before I can even really do either of the options.
Any thoughts?
