Ultimate Dana 30! Episode 1 Artec Truss Install

[@thefred1392]

Thanks for thinking of the little guys. Not all of us can afford/need to go Dana 60. This is something I've been wanting to do to my hp d30 (swapped out the lp d30) I just got chromoly shafts😁

[@moabwheeling]

This is exactly what I want to do to my D30 in my TJ. This is going to be a awesome build series . I do follow Muddy Beards also and I like his content as well . Thank you both for doing a series on this . Until next time take care Nate .

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man! Those guys are my best friends. Glad to hear your following their builds as well!

[@MFKR696]

Just a friendly FYI, when you're welding applications that need to cool down in a controlled manner, just wrap a fiberglass blanket around it and you'll generally have no problems. Tis what I do with cast iron repairs.

[@bsideadventures2180]

The best Jeep builder around. Thanks for youre hard work on the videos

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man! Kind words 🤘 I appreciate it

[@rile5960]

This is what I run. Sleeved and Artec with RCV’s 35’s and 37’s has no issues at all. And 17” big brake kit with knuckles.

[@mr.caceres305]

How has it been holding up for you? thinking of building my axle to run 37s

[@rile5960]

@@mr.caceres305 It is tough, RCV’s and never will go bigger. I love it.

[@mr.caceres305]

@@rile5960 yeah I’m on the fence about building my D30 or building a waggy 44

[@alisutherland1103]

These videos are second to none are incredibly informative. Honestly these videos are amazing and give me a great idea of where I want to take my skills. Also love that you play hip hop beats and rock. Much obliged.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking time to give me a positive comment! 🤘

[@shoffman75]

Get some blankets to wrap it up and let it cool nice and slow.

[@MrMctheking]

“You can still get a ‘pretty good’ weld. Sounds like that commercial. Come to you for ok welds haha 😆

[@Dhane-0]

Artec makes such a good looking kit. I love mine on my d60, they really are worth every penny 👌

[@OldGriz708]

Great video Nate👍. It's nice to see someone that has the common sense ( a super power in today's world) to do things right the first time. That was something my Father really drummed into my head that people can never find the time to do things right but they can find the time to do things over🙄

[@teoteagueosborne]

Perfect timing for this video! I plan to do this very soon

[@mustangsally5901]

Like it, your brother is one lucky guy to have a fabricator in the family.

[@paulbrouwer7559]

I AM NOT A JEEP FAN. Full size all the way. Love your channel Nate. I'd quit my job and spend all my days in the shop and on the trail if I could. Congratulations and keep it up.

[@ProjectXJ]

I love my Artec truss. I bought the C-gussets and new ball joints that I need to make time to install. I also did gears in my dana 30. I am not a mechanic, but I must have done something right, because they haven't broken yet. :)

[@pauljordan3064]

" I am not a mechanic, but I must have done something right..." One of my all time favorite quotes. I say it a lot. Almost as much as "I'm not a mechanic, what do you expect?"

[@FMJeeping]

Badass. This is the direction I plan on going. Possibly this winter. Good to know I have a resource.

[@johnmunder7107]

Nice! Pretty much did the same with my JK & 37's. Used a different truss from JCR & also did the gussets. You just have to wheel carefully & since I went with 5.13's I didn't lock the front. Figure my u-joints or axles will be the weak point if something does give way & either are cheap & easy to fix. For me it was the least expensive way to go at the time since I can do my own work/welding. When it goes I'll upgrade to a 44 but it's been going this way for 2 years w/ no signs of any issues what so ever & we wheel our Jeeps. Have to watch the rest of your videos to see how it comes out!

[@kenskens69]

Hello , the dana 30 been working good for you im planing on doing the same but in my case i do competition well somthing like that it call average joe 4x4 and last year i blow my axel but dont want to spend on a dana 60 , sow will you say it will work going to upgrade to 37 and 5.13 gears thanks for you opinion and be safe

[@johnmunder7107]

@@kenskens69 It's certainly do-able but you'll have to take it easy. As you know the D30 ring & pinion is much smaller than the D44 & obviously the D60 so way easier to break if you start hammering on it. I take my approaches slow and easy & haven't had any issues. With the 5.13's I would not lock it in the front otherwise you are increasing the risk of breaking it. Just my .02 cents. Others may have different results but I've been running it like this for a couple of years with zero issues. Running Yukon gears professionally set up.

[@kenskens69]

@@johnmunder7107 thanks for the info ,and be safe

[@netlans]

With that gear ratio in a 30 the pinion looks like something that should be in a pocket watch and may well be the weak point.

[@cjg253]

I've never encountered an axle with cast inner C's, only forged steel. I have only seen cast on outer knuckles and the axle center section.

[@TheRightLine]

I think I'll be building one of these for my dad's TJ this yr. Perfect time to find your video.

[@Fixitall-ACE]

Your videos are so professionally done!!! Great work!!! Your channel is doing great.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks alot man! I put in alot of hours into these videos! Thank you for watching!

[@ruubguus4321]

Professional and clean good job!!!!

[@NewAgeCarBarn]

Just got one today and gunna buy this same kit for my zj because of you Nate. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Awesome man!

[@05glisedan]

Looking forward to episode 2. Gathered USA 4.56 gears, Grizzly locker and Yukon axles. Hope to learn something on the gears install. Thanks for sharing.

[@onetruebob_tj]

Excellent setup! Same thing I'm running in my D30 with the exception of all Yukon. 10+ years of solid wheeling with no issues. Yukon makes quality products. 💪👊

[@ProjectXJ]

Joe Man I did my own gears and it wasn't terrible but there are a few things you will need. set up bearings are a must. I didn't have a press so I put the carrier in the freezer and the bearings in the oven at like 150 degrees. They slipped right on, it was awesome! The hardest part, in my opinion, is getting the right preload on the pinion at the right depth. Good luck with your setup!

[@05glisedan]

Currently running 33's. Now thinking of 35's. If we do go up, hopefully 4.56 won't be a problem. It'll be mainly highway, will try of wheel often - in Florida trails. With some mud. In the future, hopefully trails in GA, AL, TN, NC. Now thinking of putting on a truss, since the axle will be off anyways. Get it it all done at once.

[@ProjectXJ]

@@05glisedan I am running 33's right now but will hopefully go up to 35's soon. I wanted to strengthen my axle before I did. 4.56 is a good gear choice for an auto, go 4.88 if you have a manual. My truss only cost a little over $100, then you just have to get it welded on. Make friends with a welder. lol

[@05glisedan]

@@ProjectXJ Thanks for the pro-tip. I've been watching Rusty411. Saw his D30 install. Looks doable. Ordered in-lb torque wrench and GLX carrier pinion bearing puller. Seems the most important parts Patience and Attention to detail.

[@jasonpittman7470]

Great video Nate, as always. Just wanted to say thanks.

[@craigversetti5700]

Fantastic 👏 video Nate !!! Thanks

[@michaelmrtonkaryan3192]

I Love your channel Great video!!!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thank you!

[@mattbarrett41]

Capture nuts on the underside of spring mount for mounting the lower bump stop

[@LadyLucidity]

I need a brother like this. Great videos. Now i want to learn how to weld.

[@Giraffefistfight]

Hell yeah man. My ultimate plan is a LWB Comanche with 3" lift and at most 33's. I've got a HP D30 non-disconnect and a D35 with 4.10's out of an 86 MJ that I plan to swap into whatever MJ I end up getting. No reason dumping money and going bigger on axles then needed. Keep up the good work.

[@dougchacey9449]

Be careful with a 35 man I nearly killed one in my yj with 31s and it wasn't locked either

[@Giraffefistfight]

@@dougchacey9449 It's not gonna be a wheelin truck. I have a Suzuki DR350 for offroad shenanigans. It'll be a trailhead to trailhead/ forest service road truck.

[@dougchacey9449]

That is what I was doing man just food for thought. The spiders were about to go when I swapped in the 44. If you want something that is cheap a 20 spline8.25 would be a good choice. It's your build though just giving ya some input man.

[@rcguymike]

@@dougchacey9449 you mean 29 spline 8.25? old ones are 27 stock and newer ones are 29

[@tomthompson7400]

nice looking kit , well thought out.

[@dennisbo5004]

Great job Nate 👍👍👍👍

[@stevenadelhoch6811]

getting a free high pinion dana 30 this week, so looking for your guidance on total rebuild!

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Great video! Really cool idea for a collab.

[@stevej6824]

Awesome job I like Artec products, I have them on my ‘83 GMC K2500 Using their front hydraulic steering mount and truss combo on my front D60 and their rear truss on my rear D70HD 👍

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man!

[@scottChapman25]

NATE!!! we want to see the ultimate dana 44 build like this!

[@craftsmancollaborative]

Put together a very similar setup while sticking a HP 30 under the front of my XJ. Solid build video.

[@peterwatson8295]

The sound on your videos lately is awesome. It used to be mismatched and hard to listen to but not it has improved a lot!! Keep up the awesome content!

[@DirtLifestyle]

I'm working super hard on improving my sound! Bare with me, I'm very new to filming and editing 👍

[@peterwatson8295]

@@DirtLifestyle yeah, I have noticed a huge difference!! Like I said, lately it has been awesome. I filmed and edited professionally for a year and bad sound is a pet peeve of mine. Your videos and filmmaking style is awesome, and much better than my boss's in that year, haha

[@wvjeepguy8178]

Been there, done that. Dont spend money on a dana 30. No matter what you do, the ring and pinion will never be enough. Yes, I fully built a hp30 myself and the ring and pinion was still the weak point.

[@pnw.paramotering3458]

Installing a sleeve kit prior will also help keep the housing from warping due to welding on the truss too fast. Plus it's just a good bang for the buck.

[@jonaathansimons7938]

For a sleeve DOM tubing & lathe .010" off the OD is much cheaper than a kit too...

[@robp418]

Just did the truss and c-gussets to mine. Now I’ve gotta truss the rear and hopefully it’ll be pretty bulletproof while running my tj through whoops and small jumps

[@itsheff3929]

I’m i the only one that looked away when he first started welding? Lol nice video though brotha

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man!

[@mikehoffman3690]

Nice set up.

[@petejoy6328]

This is why I follow you. You could have edited out you melting the ball joint. Thanks for being real!!

[@pauljordan3064]

Checked out the Muddy Beards guys. They seem pretty cool so I subscribed. Thanks for the lead.

[@thecherokeechannel688]

Another great video Nate! Im hoping to build my own "super 30" as well.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man! You should definitely build one. They are an over looked axle 🤘

[@Kawarthametalsigns]

That's cast steel brother big difference between that and your cast vise but a little heat never hurts great video cheers

[@metaldog7128]

Nice work 👍

[@bmaxTJ]

Thank you. Great info

[@kevinthouvenell1750]

Awesome looks great 👍

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks bud

[@MrVRDubber]

I have the same artec setup on my xj, the only problem I had with the outer C brackets is the coils would contact the bottom two spring loops under flex and cause a "bung" noise which is very concerning but I also used the original spring perch. I took material off of the front of the c gussets for clearance and no problem. Interested if these perches eliminate that.

[@DirtLifestyle]

My buddy has the exact same problem with his. We will clearance them if neccessary but its definitely something I've thought about

[@MrMrsregor]

yea, i just did this last month... i dont think my coil springs would even fit after i welded on my C-gussets. i had to remove a *LOT* of metal to make the coils fit

[@ericlee8231]

How am I supposed to work when there is a new video on a Friday morning

[@DirtLifestyle]

Lol sorry brother! 😂

[@ericlee8231]

@@DirtLifestyle great video as always I've been running a trussed hp d30 with rcv shafts on my 96 xj for years 35s and a locker in Arizona no issues

[@DirtLifestyle]

@@ericlee8231 Thanks man I appreciate it! One of these winters I would like to make it down to Arizona and hit up some trails.

[@ericlee8231]

@@DirtLifestyle winter is the time to do it for sure if you are not used to it... winters down in the desert are just about as good as it gets for wheeling

[@4XTRAIL]

Great video! About to upgrade my D30 using this as a guide. Wondering what size/alloy of wire you’re using for this application?

[@DirtLifestyle]

I use .035 but I'm not sure of its properties. I buy my wire from air gas in Tacoma Washington. It's an in house brand and I don't recall the name unfortunately.

[@4XTRAIL]

Dirt Lifestyle thank you man!

[@MGRDiesel]

I think Dana 30 is a good axle and plenty available if you braked

[@daddygogo2479]

sweet!!! I wish I knew where in WA your family lives jeep/quad trails are the only total freedom...4thisDaddy

[@andyherrmann]

Quality

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks buddy 🤘

[@SWBCrawler]

Very nice work. I'm at odds with upgrading my D30, vs replacing with a 44. My long term goal is 37s, and im a pretty careful wheeler. Ive heard nothing but good on these artec trusses. They make a JK44 to TJ truss, which i'd looked at when i started down the JK axle swap path. basically, converts a JK d44 to TJ mounts, with the added strength of the truss. Nice stuff.

[@DirtLifestyle]

A trussed jk 44 would be a perfect swap for a tj on a 37s 🤘 with some rcvs I'd run a 40 and be completely comfortable with that setup

[@SWBCrawler]

Thanks for the info. I’m torn between going wider and replacing both housings. Or getting a tj width front 44 and building the existing rear 44.

[@DirtLifestyle]

@@SWBCrawler I would go wider if you can and make up the extra width with back spacing on your rim. Then you can get your scrub radius numbers in check and safe your front end components. I think the Jk44 swap is one of the best tj axle options out there. 🤘

[@SWBCrawler]

Yea the folks who have them for sale seem to think they’re made out of gold though. ;) I’ll keep them on the list Of options. I don’t think tons are right for me. Jk width might be the perfect in between though. For now. I’m having a great time pushing the lj to its limits on a mostly stock suspension. Those control arms were the first thing to fail, replaced them with some hand me downs.

[@saimhaim]

Good video, for the time and effort it's got to be cheaper just to upgrade.

[@mikem5831]

Awesome.

[@travisbaird9243]

Impressive!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks!

[@christophershepherd1983]

So this is why all the HP30's are snatched up immediately!

[@tannervest8961]

we love xjs

[@ryanhubble9157]

I done this and u made a huge mistake welding the guests with balljoints in i done the same now the balljoints fit loose i actually had to tack weld the uppers in when the balljoints was pressed in it put tension on the cast the heating and cooling relaxes it... good luck hope it works out better than it did for me

[@Adrian-rn1ym]

This is dumb question , but I’m assuming you are heating the whole axle as u weld not just the c’s right, my wife and I both have jku s and we both are running 35s and I’m thinking I want to do this asap, I started to build the jeeps about 5 months ago so I haven’t done this yet. We haven’t really wheeled them yet either which is a good thing I think . Seems like the smartest next step to preserve the rigs .

[@DirtLifestyle]

We are only heating the cast steel sections. So the inner c and the center section. No need to heat the tubes! Good luck with the new builds man! A truss is worth every penny!

[@MrVRDubber]

If you want to go full out, there are also inner sleeve kits available. They can be welded in and increase the tube diameter and strength for the weight of the jku with larger tires. 💪

[@crayfishroll]

I literally just got my mig gas tank filled because I am welding on my truss and C's soon so this was perfect

[@DirtLifestyle]

Awesome man! I hope this can help in some way 🤘

[@crayfishroll]

@@DirtLifestyle yeah that I better have new ball joints ready for when I melt mine lol

[@DirtLifestyle]

@@crayfishroll lol

[@DrHavok1]

haha love muddy beards

[@donniebrookins6215]

I'm using a d30 for a Bronco II, havent decided how I'm going to locate it yet

[@thecatalyst7743]

I have seen dana 30 with 35" run KOH with no problems many times.

[@Z_jeep]

Nate another great vid. I have a question. I here a lot about worping axle housing..? Did you have a problems with this build. Any suggestions. I'm getting ready to do mine. Thanks

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man 🤘. No issues with a warped housing for us. The way the artec kit is setup it has large gaps across the axle tube making it so you wont weld one continuous bead. Continuous beads are a sure fire way to warp the housing. Small short welds (3" max) will keep you from warping it. 👍

[@THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG]

And like you previously stated it would have just been easier and less time consuming to just spit some high nickle on there ! Dont have to worry with annealing!

[@MrMrsregor]

any idea when the gearing video might be coming out ? this is a great idea for a video series and collaboration. i did my dana 30 artec truss and gussets last month, but now need to re-gear with new bearings and seals.

[@DirtLifestyle]

It all depends on how soon Kelly can do the edit! I'm sure it won't take him to long but I don't have a definite timeline unfortunately.

[@MrMrsregor]

@@DirtLifestyle cool thanks. i have changed gears before. but it is really nice that someone is finally coming out with some good dana30 videos for us little guys with 35's.. i guess i will drag my feet (finish frame stiffeners and bed liner) and hope the video comes out before i start. i have all the parts just sitting on my shelf glaring at me. thank you for starting your own channel ! i do like bleepnjeep, but your style should not be stifled. very comprehensible, entertaining, honest, quality work/videos !

[@DirtLifestyle]

@@MrMrsregor thanks for the kind words man! I just sent a screenshot of this convo to Kelly to light a fire under his ass! I'm sure it will be within a week or two. I'll be filming part 3 this weekend so he needs to finish part 2!

[@DirtLifestyle]

@@MrMrsregor a little update. Kelly saw our convo and said the video should be out friday 🤘

[@MrMrsregor]

@@DirtLifestyle Awesome, thank you ! Frankenstein upgrades with junk yard parts might be one of my favorite part of custom build, cant wait !

[@onetruebob_tj]

Now that's BEEFY! Another solid video. Looking forward to seeing the completed axle. TJ FTW!

[@DirtLifestyle]

It's definitely beefy! Barely looks like a Dana 30 anymore lol. Thanks brother

[@equals-kl9hm]

Good day Nate. I understand the desire for a truss but why not sleeves? Wouldn't the truss interfere with "space" were the sleeves would not. What is the strength difference? The sleeves seem like a better way to go IMHO. Again im interested in the strength difference between the two setups. You can always use both.

[@coolHandLuke5150]

I for see WJ knuckles

[@DirtLifestyle]

Lol definitely

[@rcguymike]

@@DirtLifestyle Full video series on that please! :D

[@nunezchamp]

Got the same build going on right now, trying to decide if i want the IRO truss or Artec Truss

[@DirtLifestyle]

Cant go wrong. Both are good form what I hear 👍

[@Maxxis1941]

Great vid Nate. Vid skills are getting crazy cool for a one man show.👍 Good to see a Dana 30 vid posted. They get such a bad rep but if wheeled carefully on nothing bigger than a 35 (as you mention) and especially if trussed, they're great axles. The only thing you missed mentioning, for the benefit of newbies, is that 4.88s are the biggest R&P that should be used. Even 4.88s are pushing limits of ring strength and pinion contact, but it can be done. Keep up the great work.👍

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks brother!

[@rcguymike]

I just got my 4.88's this past week, holy smokes are they tiny!!!!!! I'm leaving the stock axle shafts and contemplating welding the caps on but not 100% sure exactly what I want to do. That'd make a great video series, tack welded caps vs IRO almost alloy kit, vs ???! Also how to do trail fixes w or w/o tools.

[@PhatboyHD88]

When ya starting the Liberty build buddy ? I can’t wait for that I’m sure it’s gonna be good and I can get a lot of good ideas for mine...

[@DirtLifestyle]

Unfortunately I can't touch for a couple months. I need to wait until my wife gives birth! She is super prego and I don't want her to have to jump up into the jeep! I'll be chipping away on my land rover, tj and j10 between now and then 🤘

[@westerncoloradowheeling]

Awesome video, side note the stove in the back looks like it has some clearance issues, don’t burn your shop down.

[@joedirt5295]

I'm out on the wet side would live to get ideas from for my ZJ and Suburban build

[@jamesobert8972]

I'm guessing this would be the same for a YJ except for the spring mounts and control arms.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Yep! 👍

[@moparlover1968rr]

Awesome but shouldn’t you paint and primer your parts prior to tacking in to prevent future rust?

[@mikemikemike2884]

Always love all your videos. Now love the new channel. By the way, who was the truss kit from?

[@mikemikemike2884]

I also wanted to add that all 5 of your rig's in your shop represent different types of "dirt lifestyle". There is more to the "dirt lifestyle" then just crawling.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks brother 🤘 glad your enjoying the videos! The truss kit is from artec

[@andreykichuk]

Very good and informative video, that’s what I want to do to my xj Dana 30 HP axle, where do I buy the same kit that you used?

[@thehappyplace5290]

awesome video man ive been like binging your videos lol the only question I have that you didnt touch on is how did you locate the upper control arm bracket? i watched the tj stretch build series you did and thats the only thing im trying to figure out everything else has been extremely helpful. awesome quality tutorials brotha

[@TheCopterdude]

I'm looking to upgrade my dana 30 on my 97 TJ so that I can run 37's and put bigger brakes on it. Is this still your recommended way to get it done 5 years later? You're builds are awesome thanks for any advise!

[@ThatJeepAdventure]

Awesome video! Very nice film work and super informative. Wish this would have been out when I was building my TJ30. Stop by my channel and watch one of the ride videos... Ready to see more of the TJ stretch too, since that's where I am at now!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks! Will do!

[@cherubman3052]

Awesome work! Really appreciate it, need to pull the JK D30 out of my XJ to finish off the Artec truss. Was concerned about the cast C's and centre section, but should be good now. What temps were you getting the cast stuff to when you started welding?

[@DirtLifestyle]

I prefer 350-450° and wont weld under 300. Good luck man!

[@PaulKaiser42]

This maybe a silly question...but would a truss on a leaf sprung Dana 30 be less affective?? The reason I ask is I’d like to keep the leafs in my yj because I do not need to worry about geometry until a later time 😁😁

[@DirtLifestyle]

A truss is still just as valuable in a leaf sprung Jeep as well!

[@kenskens69]

Hello my friend it been 6 months since you did the differential will like to know how it been working and any Feedback I am building one too .. thanks and be safe

[@DirtLifestyle]

My brother doesn't use his jeep very often lol. The couple wheeling trips he has been on, he has been very happy but realistically he needs more testing 👍

[@kenskens69]

@@DirtLifestyle lol ok im putting my Together this coming week I will let you know how I go, be safe

[@beardedjalapeno5263]

Only got a flux core welder... wonder if I can make that work???

[@EvanMoon]

Heat up the metal to make it look cooler

[@thegmanfromsf]

Since we're in the subject of D30s - do you know how difficult it would be to fit this strut system on a WJ D30? I built one for an HP30 that came out of a Cherokee but for some reason Artec doesn't list WJ on any of their truss systems.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Not sure man, I've never looked into it. Anything can be fabricated with the right tooling and part design. Good opportunity for you to get creative 🤘

[@rsvp6]

Should you also weld the tubes to prevent twisting, and what about the the tube liners for the dana 30?

[@DirtLifestyle]

I have welds that go from the tubes to the truss and through the center section. These tubes aren't spinning. As for the tube liners, I've never been a fan. They add more weight than strength. A truss is far superior 🤘

[@joepisciotta9179]

Nate where did you find the 9 degree number from truss to coil buckets, the instruct say to measure before cutting and match. Just want to make sure I do all investigating before I start cutting brackets off

[@moejr14]

Is it absolutely necessary to preheat the outer c’s to weld on the gussets? What did you write “don’t do this”?

[@scottrosenke8705]

Hello Nate. Love your channel alot , its informative for anyone to do these projects if they have the tools and skill. I have a 1994 XK axle, stripped down, just bought this truss kit and doing the WJ knuckle conversion. What is the newest year of XJ axles I can use in this WJ knuckle setup? I heard the newer XJ axles have beefier U joints than the older ones. Keep up the good work.

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

Excellent video! Iv been watching your videos for a while now and just realized i wasnt subed. My bad dude lol. I know you have been slammed, id love to see some wheeling videos too!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks for subbing brother! Once they open public lands back up more wheeling videos will be on the way 👍

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

Awesome man! Hey did you do a video on the diesel swap? Im curious what engine that is and what it took to make it run

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

Also i have a bit of a project on my hands and im curious what you think. Iv been off roading for years in a full size truck and im just now getting into the jeep thing. Fought it for a while, until i found myself wanting to fit in trails my trucks are literally too wide for and much higher complexity. Im a pretty accomplished welder and fabricator, im not afraid one bit of repairing the tj frame i have and building a 4 link for the rear and a 3 link front. What im curious about is there a portion of the frame i should know about that i need to discard and build different. Currently the body is off the frame. I have some tub work to do well its off. I was planning on a rear and front stretch with coil overs. A 5.3 4l80e and an atlas to power it with a 60 front and 10.5 year. I was looking at the rear frame and there are body mounts down the bumper and under the load floor. Is that section of the frame useful with 4 link and a stretch? Or do i need to remove it and fab a different section. I just wanted to make sure you didnt encounter any challenges with your frame that i should know about now. I am either going to look into that fuel cell that is in the stock location that is made for a a stretched frame or get one for the load floor. Thank you nate

[@jesseyjulson1967]

So I have an XJ I’ll stick with the D30 up front but what do you think about keeping the stock D35 in the rear and build it up similar to this? Or would you recommend doing the 8.8 or d44 rear swap? Don’t plan on ever going over 35s on it. Will have full armor and bumpers.

[@moejr14]

Did you have any fitment issues with the inner c gussets and coil springs?

[@Trustyconsultinggroup]

Music has BA beat

[@marcusmichols1516]

Hey did you ever check the axle for straightness before and after welding? I just welded an artec truss and and C gussets and mine pulled so I had to straighten it after, even tho I spread out the welding over a long time. (I don’t know if it was crooked before welding) but I’m curios if you checked yours and how it came out. I measured mine by having bushings machined to fit the bearing caps and a pipe through the axle

[@DirtLifestyle]

I didn't check it for straightness before but that would have been a good idea. I would be willing to bet your axle was bent before you put the truss on. One of my favorite features of the artec truss kit is the fact that there are no long continuous welds. Makes it a lot easier to install without warping the housing. 👍

[@marcusmichols1516]

Yeah I beat my self up not checking before, but what’s done is done and it’s straight now :) thanks for the reply!

[@natewallin1819]

Hi I really appreciate what you do and what you're doing on your site here and how you go about explaining and so forth. On the Dana 30 I want to use it on a solid axle S10 Blazer project and an S10 pickup project... Two separate vehicles for two different people. 4.3 l engines. Using leaf springs or coil springs? I noticed that you used coil springs in the video would it be the same for this leaf spring purchase? I've been a hot rod guy all my life and going into 4x4s and off-roading is a new adventure for myself and my brother. Would you please educate me... Thank you for your time and consideration.