As a mechanical engineer, this video was phenomenal at breaking down the specific design differences in the axles that directly translate to performance differences. Thumbs up from me!

“2 inches doesnt sound like a lot but it is” - Thats what she said. (Couldn’t resist - great video!)

I have the stock Dana 30 on my xj. Lunchbox lockers, stock shafts, and 35s and I’ve never had a single issue... until I drove it. Now I’m watching axle swap for beginners lol

You are backwards on your High Pinion Direction, It is stronger When you push your ring gear with your pinion not pull. i.e. low pinion rear pinion pushes ring gear, high pinion front pushes the ring gear. Think of it as you want to load up the larger pinion bearing. But you did pretty good nice job putting it together.

I know this is a year old, but Nate this is a great video that many people will benefit from seeing. 👍🏼

I really appreciate the detailed and comprehensive information you keep putting out in these videos. You are a tremendous resource to the community.

I have a Dana 44 in the front of my 76 Bronco with Chromoly axles and never had a problem. I've never thought about installing a truss, but I like the idea. Great information!

Great informational videos, most of us aren’t mechanics but your videos help us make educated decisions so Thanks!

Great video man tons of info I have just thrown my 05 LJ on a super60 front and a 14 bolt rear and I still learned from your video!

Finally a well done video explaining what they are with opinions about what to do with them. Very helpful. Keep em coming please!

Awesome video man, I've been asking these questions ever since I've owned my 2000 WJ. This video is very informative, thank you for making it.

Another great , super informative video, Nate! Keep 'em coming. This is becoming my favorite channel.

Great informative video, and there is nothing like a USA 🇺🇸 made Dana 60 which was built for me by a good friend. Cheers 🍻

I don’t push my yj very hard, so my d44 front and rear with ARB’s are holding up great. When my axels were build we build cromoly in the front.

Something to emphasize on the pumpkin clearance is that you can run larger tires on the bigger axles so the loss of clearance is made up by tire size.

Yes, thanks for doing this video. This has been confusing to me; and I appreciate the info

Thank you! This helps so much in learning the diffrence and the honesty of "just build it right and dont worry" thats so true and great info!

Awesome vid! Honest, real-world talk about axles. Keep it coming, brother!

Super informative. Best explanation of axel characteristics out there.

Thank you so much!! This definitely helps me understand different size axles much better.

Great video! Very useful information. I almost built the D30 that came in my YJ. It ended up being cheaper for me to just get a D44. Lots more piece of mind. I have a D44 low pinion in the front with chromolys and locker. And a trussed Ford 8.8 in the rear. Both geared at 4.56, running 35s, and my stock 4cyl. Works great for me.

A high pinion 30 and 8.8 rear are pretty inexpensive upgrades for a streetable TJ on 35s. The main issue I ran in to with this combo is the 8.8 hangs low and drags on everything. Then the hp30 hardened locker crosspin broke and backed out, wedging between the ring and pinion, which then stripped my gears and exploded the carrier. I replaced the parts and drove it for a while longer, but went the superduty 60/10.5 combo along with a backhalf, stretch, and full hydro steering on 40s.

Built a C8.25 rear locked and TJ D30 w/ cromo axle shafts , open diff for my YJ , running 35s and very happy with the build. Also did the WJ big brake upgrade and rebuild both axles completely .... was to be a budget build but a total rebuild parts add up lol

*Only the "Super 60" has the 10" ring gear. These are in 2005-2020 F-450/550 and 2017+ F-250/350. In the 2017 MY, the pinion size was increased substantially, and Dana internally calls it the M256.*

Perfect. Just what I was looking for. I'm currently researching for a 99 XJ. Thanks for posting.

Amazing amount of research and information. And instead of asking this question, I'm going to your other uploads to see when to change 4:10 to 4:55. --- Thanks for the great upload. ---

Excellent video! I'm new to the Jeeping community and this helped me a lot. Great info!

Doing an ls swap on my YJ now I'm looking into axel swaps thank you for the information very helpful

Excellent video. Everything very clearly explained and straight to the point. Subscribed!

Really great beginners guide!

This was so informative! Thank you

what a goldmine of information. thank you so much

I have driven Jeeps for years, and never broke an Axle. I have had a propeller shaft fail on a rock climb in a 95 Jeep Grand Cheorkee, 5.2 liter V8, 4.11 geared axles and 33" tires. I drove in MOab and up the lions back in a 76 CJ-7 with T-18 4 Speed, Dana 20 Transfer case, Stock Dana 30 front axle and stock AMC 20 rear axle. with 4.11 gears and a two inch lift. I forgot the size tires, but remember they were Armstrong Norseman. I managed to go everywhere I wanted with little fuss or muss and didn't even strip out the hub on the AMC axle.

I really really got a lot out of this video. You have a new and enthusiastic subscriber!

Thanks man, your video really helped Me out, I'm in my 20s and trying my best to learn. Everything is so technical and forum have too many options with strong opinions towards Everything. Nice to see a simple video break it all down :)

Well done. great vid. Went and googled axle truss and dana 30 was at the top of the list that showed up.

There is so much information out there I'm glad you made this video. It should clear up alot of nonsense.

Holy crap. Sorry I know this is a older video but dang. I learned SO MUCH from this video. I can't thank you enough. I never knew most of this info.

Just looking to buy my first rig. Been watching your videos and learning a ton! Love the way you break all the info down. Only a few hours drive from Moab. I can’t wait to start building my own rig and get out there.

Great video man! As a complete noob, I really appreciate the honest simple explanation.. SUBSCRIBED

Absolutely amazing video, really nice work

Amazing video. I'm new to the off-road world so I'm learning a lot. Got yourself a new subscriber!

I want 37” on a Rubicon so this video really helps me wrap my mind around what else I need. Thanks!

I swear this must be one of the best channels on youtube it’s going to get big bro.

Not my application, but still helped me...need to beef up my Ford 8.8 rear end...and? You helped a little. Thanks!

That's been a very good Information in this Video. Especially for my Gladiator's cummins swap 👍

That's a great explanation in lay terms.

Thank you for the explanation.... I'm new at this and this really helped me understand.

I ran a locked Dana 30 on a V8 ZJ on 35s with 4.88 gears for years without issues. Had IRO "almost alloy" axle shafts with Spicer 760x ujoints and the end caps welded. Ran IRO internal axle sleeves as well. Most importantly though, I drove it like it was a Dana 30 haha sometimes people treat them like it's a 60 and of course it's gonna blow!!

Thank for info your experience guidance has been very helpful 😊 on my design choice.

Thank you! That was a lot of useful information!

Great video!!! I have a 2000 XJ. The junkyard down the road has a D30HP in great condition. Going to get it next paycheck.

I’d love to see you revisit this / rear axles combos when you hopefully refresh your TJ!! 1 tons and lsx swaps are awesome don’t get me wrong but I like knowing the other options! I hope to copy you one day on a agile TJ I’m leaning to a ford 9” rear and a d44 hp front I have loads more research to do!

i ran a dana 60 in my drag car with 800 hp ran it for years great stuff

Great advice, thanks amigo.

man love your vids so informing!! TY !!

Excellent information Nate. Pulling my D30 to do new inner seals. Adding outer seals because of the amount of sludge, mud and crap on the east coast. Already upgraded to Yukon 30 spline chromoly axles when I upgraded the ring and pinion and 4.56 gears after I bought it in CA. Stub shafts and heavy duty u-joints from Yukon are also going in. Truss will be added too, as well as lower control arm skids. Sure, it's a D30, but it will be solid. Don't have the $$ for sleeves and gussets for this go round. Running 33's now and moving to 35's as soon as the Tread wears down.

He's exactly right, when it comes to ground clearance on the 60. I put one on my 1969 Ford F350 c class motorhome, and I wouldn't dream of going less then 36 inch tall tires.

Im also in Washington. Just started a jk build. Very good video

Great video nate. One thing im putting a f250 dana 44 in my YJ to run 35s. The biggest reasons are for the lockouts, bigger brakes, no unit bearings, and high steer. All of those are an added cost trying to beef a dana 30. Running the 67 inch width but with 3rd gen dodge wheels with 6 inch backspacing.

Thanks man helped out a lot you should come to Wisconsin wheeling sometime

I love your channel. I have a one ton truck with one ton axles. Timken F35 rear, and Dana 70F front. Great truck.

Really awesome stuff!!! Deep pockets help to make which axles you are going to run a lot easier......lol!!!!

Thats why I keep snapping stub shafts. Thank you for the info!

Another great video! D30 are better than they are given credit, especially the HP 30.

I have a 1963 Wagoneer version of you blue Jeep. Mine is a Willy's and has the OHC Tornado 6 in it. I bought if for either $50 or $100 close to 25 years ago. It's a little lighter blue than yours. Sheet metal is all good but the floor pans and seats need work. Been sitting pretty much since I bought it. The guy I bought it from had broken a shifting fork and that's why it was so cheap. It ran like a watch and after my dad welded up the fork it was fine. I need to bring it home and get it fixed up because it's a sweet truck.

Hey Nate, can believe it took me this long to find you channel. You where one of my fav contributors to bleepin Jeep. Was bummed you left buy here I am and subbed

Great video, subscribed! Thanks!

Perfect advice.. d30-44 don’t break in jeeps from good wheeling. They break cause if weak joints which in turn destroy the shaft.. or they break cause if thinner tubes flexing. In my last TJ’s I always ran d44 swaps from fords or waggys, my current project Cherokee I’ll be sticking with the hp30 with a truss and rcv shafts cause getting anything larger then a 36-37 on a Cherokee and retaining any reasonable resemblance to a Cherokee and flex that just all you can reasonably do. I would like to hear your take on rears too. I already got the 8.8 locked with alloys swapped in the rear just need to truss it when I go 4 link. As big as the 8.8 swap is in the xj world I feel it’s a highly overlooked option in the tj and yj world. My last TJ ran a 8.8 rear with waggy front. As far are rears go.. I really don’t understand all this d60 hype and never had? You can swap in a shaved 14 for that weight while having same clearance and way way stronger setup. You have to really build a 60 to touch a stock 14 with just welded spiders. Tons are just way to heavy imop unless you’re over landing and carrying a ton of weight. In my 20 or so years of wheeling I’ve bent more shafts then I’ve broken and that’s from tube flex under shock load. Hell even back in the day before I had a clue I was running a super 35 kit on 37’s and never broke a shaft.. bent a few from pulling others out in bigger heavier rigs where I really had to snatch from 20-30’ feet and that shock bent axles which also destroys the bearings but even then I never snapped one. I’ve seen more people break shocks etc wo straps and walk their 60’s under their rigs ripping apart drive shafts and all kinds of stuff cause they are so same heavy then I’ve ever had with smaller properly built axles on proper weighted rigs with proper size tires. And the hype over these rubi axles swaps is highly misguided.. they are lip d30 with a modified 44 housing. The knuckles, tubes, joints etc are all 30 lol. The rubi is nothing more then and 8.8 version of a Janice jk swap into a standard 44. You’re getting a bigger and hence stronger with tall gearing d30. You’re axles aren’t breaking cause they are weak they are breaking cause they are flexing.. (hence truss and sleeves) your joints don’t break cause they are weak they break cause they are weak at angles. You’re 1310 driveshaft joint is the same as the one conserving your purées to your inners.. yet you’re breaking front joints bot drive shafts joints cause you’re at full lock and putting them in a bing which means the inner is moving regular speed while the outer is moving much slower. (Extra stress) I can’t help but feel Jeep people are so far behind the times when it comes to what breakers and why. The reason a $5000 Tacoma will never break anything is cause they are running cv shafts instead of ujoints. How many yots with dual t case running 127-1 crawl do you see breaking weak 7-8” axles? It’s not the axles it’s the joints. Throw a $100 truss on that hp30 run some rcv shafts and be done. While your buddies are refinancing their house to pay for a 60 and 40+ tires to clear them you’ll be wheeling.

Nice video the way you explain things is great a friend of mine is going D60s with 40s but on his stock 3.8 jk I told him to much weight that engine doesn't have the torque chip+intake or supercharger deep gears not enough

I’ve seen high pinion 9 inch fords, but I don’t know if they’re stock, or aftermarket. Thanks for answering my question, and starting your own channel👍👍👍

For some reason I'm really getting interested in the Jeep XJs. (Dad delivered mail out in the country side with one that was a 4x4, I6, 2-door, red, and right hand drive when they were new.) I don't see myself doing crazy rock crawling with one, but really enjoyed the information you provided. For me, a retired engineer, I absolutely love over-engineering stuff :-) So upgrading the original Dana 30 with a stouter R&P, chorme-moly axles, better U-Joints (or CV joint?), and a truss would go well for an XJ with slightly larger tires and more power. Thanks for the information Dirt Lifestyle !!!!!!!!

Great video. Needed the info and knowledge you have. My tj have Dana 30 and 35.

Very informative and explained !!! 👍💪

Another great video ... my wife even watched it and started asking me questions about axles ..... weird

Nice vid. Great info. Thanks

I really needed this info, as I am a newbie. Thanks so much

good video! im trying to learn more about axle options as im contemplating a build and dont want to spend an arm and a leg just on axles. fyi some stock axle shafts are indeed chromoly, which is just term for any 41xx steel, there is actually quite a wide range of "chromoly" steels from 4118 to 4161, the first two numbers designating the chromium and molybdenum alloys (thus chro-moly) the second two designating the percentage carbon by weight (4140 has .40% carbon). a more common axle steel for stock applications is a medium carbon 10xx steel (1040, 1050). although i will also say that heat treat plays a very critical role in how these steels proform.

Well, this explains how I "exploded" my Wrangler's Dana 35. Great video. Thank you.

I was pretty excited until 13:25 when you mentioned V-8 and Dana 30. I’m running a TJ magnum V8 360 and NV4500 with an 8.8 Ford in the rear and you guessed it, Dana 30 still in the front!! The 30 is completely stock with a spartan locker 4.11. 35” Cooper STT Pro. In the last year of moderate wheeling I’ve lost 2 U joints and I’ve now bent the ears on the stub. Was hoping to stay Dana 30 HP with 30 spline chrome Molly shafts. Sounds like with a V-8 I should skip and go to Dana 60 but that’s a pretty big mismatch for my Ford 8.8 which seems to be doing great.

I had a low pinion Dana 30 and I beat on it for 2 years with 35’s and it held great never had a problem than I sold the truck and I’m actually about to swap one into my daily driver ford ranger and do some 33’s for hunting and driving around on gravel roads

If you make the trip down to Moab, head east a little and check out Ouray, CO. One trip there in a rental jeep and it got me hooked on jeeps and offroading in general. Unbelievable scenery! Lots of hardcore trails up in Montrose not far from there as well.

Thanks in million. Great content.

Excellent vid, thanks!

Dana 60 ring gear is 9 3/4”.

Awesome rundown

Hell Ya, just what I was waiting for.

Thanks! great info, could ya mention Horsepower and torque handling of each? I like big blocks 😁

Awesome video! I’ve been on the fence if I should truss the hp 30 on my yj and this video helped convince me I should do that.

Words to live by “budget a little bigger.” Never made an upgrade on budget. There is always something I missed or need to modify and the budget goes up.

very informative, thank you

Very nice video, Thanks!

Good Stuff, Great Tips😃👍🏿

These videos are great!

Learned a ton. Thanks.

I have a Dana 44 front axel from a J10 in my shed and a ford 8.8 rear axle in my shed

So much information thanks. Have a better idea on the axle route I am taking

I agree. Referring that hanging fruit 2 inches could mean the difference between oh my and oh my god😂

I’m liking this channel.

Hey man great video! I am not a "off road" enthusiasts in the terms of rock crawling but I do like to go literally "off the road" in my truck occasionally. I have a 96 f250 with a ttb and I just bought a Dana 60 out of a 97 f350. I am planning on going through it while its out (reseal, bearings, ujoints, etc.) and I was just wondering what you would recommend given how I use my truck. Any must does/upgrades? Running 4.10s with 315/75/16r on a 4inch lift Thanks man!