Breaking points on tire axle combo

[LOOKOUT]

I am running dana 30 narrow trax front and dana 44 narrow trax in the rear 373 gears and limited slip aussie locker.front and back.How big a tire does anybody have experience with on this.I know they recommend 32 but im really hoping to run 35s .Am i gonna need to upgrade my axle shafts or .........

[jpthing]

I'd say it depends mostly on how you drive and what you try to tackle.
Beyond that, upgraded shafts and lockers go well together....what is this in?

[cLAY]

I have a narrow track Waggy D44 front swapped into my ZJ. I've broken two shafts on it in about 7 years and both of those were after the axle went  into the ZJ with the V8 and I was doing stuff that fell into the stupid category. That was also when I had a Dana limited slip in it. When I had it in the XJ with the 4.0 I didn't break anything. Both rigs ran 36" tires. I now have a full, selectable locker  in the front and feel more confident. I think most axle shafts break when they are shock loaded such as when a spinning tire suddenly grabs traction or when a limited slip or automatic locker suddenly engages when a tire is spinning or unlocks(in the case of a posi) and all the torque is suddenly transferred to one wheel. With a selectable locker or a welded diff the torque is split evenly to each wheel and is easier on the shafts. So unless my wheels are bouncing off the ground(stupid category) or I crank the wheels hard left or right and stress a u-joint and pop its caps, I think I'll be ok with the stock shafts for now.

However if you do find a set of alloy axles I'd be interested in knowing where you got them and how much they were. Just in case I decide to venture into the stupid category again....



The rear I'm running a D60 with a welded carrier, its been thru 3 wheeling rigs and has been beat on never let me down.

[cLAY]

I also run Spicer U-joints with the "snap tight" caps and not cross drilled for a grease zerk. Nothing ruins a good shaft like a failed u-joint. I used to pop caps all the time buying joints from NAPA or other parts stores. Haven't broken a u-joint since I started running the Spicers.

[T-BOAN]

Did you say you have "limited slip Aussie lockers front and rear? I'm pretty sure an Aussie is a true locker and not a limited slip at all.

[LOOKOUT]

Its going in a 75 cj5 if you check out red deer jeep packrats you can see some of the begginning of the build ill post it here soon enough to busy trouble shooting mechanics than figuring out this computer thing on posting pics .Tbone i use the word limited slip loosley im not sure there exact term but the aussie is a true locker that is not run electrically or by air it engages with torque to the tires but instead when spinning and switching tires it engages the other tire so both spin.This is my- slash that- was being my concern (not controling turning unit on)and snapping something.The days of hit it hard and whatch the wave are long past.So hearing the experience with locks is helping my build (or my concience whichever one )Keep the info coming if you have any.Thanks guys and gals.Hope to see you all on the trails soon.