Dana 30 axle advice needed

[juweinat1]

Fellow jeepers, I will be lifting my stock 2014 jk unlimited auto within the next few weeks to 3 inches. I decided against 35s due to the extra costs of regearing. Tyre of choice is a Geolandar A/T G015 285 75r17 which measures 33.8 inches.

My questions are, will I be ok with stock gearing?
Should I install truss and gusset?
Should I upgrade to chromolly driveshafts?
Should I upgrade to Heavy-duty ball joints?

It will spend majority of its time on pavement as it's my daily driver. I will be wheeling maybe every other weekend light to medium off roading, nothing too serious lol.

If you guys think it will be a good idea for piece of mind and prevention on the trail then I'll save up and do it slowly.

Any input would be appreciated

Damn these wranglers are expensive compared to my previous fj cruiser hehe

[RLT]

Been running 315/70/17 Duratracs on my 2.8CRD Sahara with 30 axle with 2.5" lift since 2013 with no issues.
Obviously mostly road in that time, but done a number of off road sites and get out often as I can off-road.
I just try to be sensible and not bash it about thinking about the expense and inconvenience of breaking something
Got 150,000 km's on my 2007 built manual with 4.10 ratios
Ball joints are stock and were replaced at around 110,000 km's only because I got the U-Joints done but probably needed doing anyway, but still felt OK to drive.
Unless your planning to give it 'really heavy' axle twisting off road use I find the stock components OK.

[juweinat1]

What gears are in your 2013?

[RLT]

As I said mines a 2007 build and came with 4.10's

[ARB87U]

It sounds like you are not going to be that hard on it. I have bent d30 tubes, broken axles and panhards and tierods and tre's. More than a few times but that was full on wheeling and anything from 33's to 37's. I would say with the kind of wheeling you have described you should be fine as is.

However, as most people get more confident, they will want to push the limits and take the harder obstacles and lines just for the challenge. So upgrades are just a matter of time.

Originally Posted by juweinat1

My questions are, will I be ok with stock gearing?

Chances are you will want full lockers at some point and while in there the ring and pinion gears are worth upgrading if you find the gearing to high on the road with constant downshifting.

If it is only offroad you have a lack of low gearing then the transfer case would be a better focus. Something like a Rubi case at the low end and an Atlas 4-speed at the top.

Originally Posted by juweinat1

Should I install truss and gusset?

Easier now than before you bend it, just put it on the never ending upgrade list.

Originally Posted by juweinat1

Should I upgrade to chromolly driveshafts?

Assume you mean axles and it might just be cheaper and easier to carry some stock spares right now and upgrade when you have the budget should you find you are breaking them.

Originally Posted by juweinat1

Should I upgrade to Heavy-duty ball joints?

More often than not they are less durable than OEM (my opinion). I wouldn't bother. Check for play from time to time and replace when you need to.

[Freetripper]

For what my humble opinion is worth, I'm running 33's, stock 3.73's in a locked d30 front but in a manual, and I'd say run it with just the lift for a while and see how it goes first, maybe start saving for upgrades when you start wheeling harder and break something.
I have bent tre's, 2 hd track bars and bent a housing. It took a big hit at speed to bend it.
Dont spend the money upgrading 'til it breaks and then upgrade as per ARB's post. If you can afford it Do the whole lot (whole d44 or 60 with lockers and regear if you think you need it) at once as otherwise your just polishing a turd (d30). Even though it is a turd of a diff if you are not wheeling stupidly or jumping gutters/speed bumps you should be fine.
Welcome to the Jeep family, sorry for the rant, and say goodbye to all your spare $$ as you personalize and upgrade, its never ending and addictive.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app sittin' in the shed chillin' 🙃

[RLT]

All good advice if your going to 'expand & test' the envelope of your off road use.
Not wanting to be an endless money pit, for daily driver and just have the enjoyment of getting out & about, I've personally resisted the temptation to go past lift & Tires, as if I did, I know I would want to push it.
Its amazing just what a decent lift & tires can do when testing it out on off road sites to gain experience in the handling of the vehicle.
If I had plenty cash to spend I would be driving around in a well equipped JK tank also.