Build the dana 30, sleeves, gussets, ARB (already have a rear ARB and compressor), chromoly shafts.

OR

Atlas 4 speed (1:1, 2.72:1, 3.8:1, 10.34:1)

I'm eventually going to do both but can't decide which to do first. I'm leaning towards the Atlas since the last Jeep I had with a front locker, it was rarely used.

I'm currently running a Teraflex 2.5" LCG longarm lift with 285/75/17 Duratracs.

Give me your thoughts and help me decide!

 

Personally, I would find a take off or junkyard D44 and invest the money in that instead of the 30.

 

That's another way to go. I'll have to research how much it would cost vs building the 30. I'm not planning on going any bigger than 33" tires for the foreseeable future so a built 30 should hold up pretty well.

 

Are you doing the work yourself?

This one has a decent comparison vs a pr44 - from the viewpoint of someone doing a 'full' upgrade and paying labor.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-build-274896/

 

Having a local shop, Baertrax, do the work. I'm still leaning towards doing the Atlas first, but I do appreciate all of the feedback on D30 vs D44 options. I can get gussets/sleeves/ARB for about $2200. That doesn't include shafts that are about $900-1100 for Nitro or RCV.

 

Nothing wrong with that. Get the tcase and beat on the d30 until you turn it into a pretzel and have a reason to upgrade.

 

This....
I'd go atlas now and get the benefit of the lower gearing and then when if the d30 blows up go d44....

I'd sleeve and gusset it and chances are you won't have an issue, sleeves and gussets shouldn't be too much and the peace of mind...

 

I wouldn't do the Atlas unless you are going to run 40s or larger on 1 ton axles.

You can get a stock used Rubicon transfer case for around $1000-$1200 and sell yours to offset the cost.

You can find a used take-off front D44 with 4.10s for maybe $2k. If it is already regeared and trussed, it might run $2.5k.

If you can find a used, regeared D44, it doesn't really make sense to upgrade a 30 unless you do the labor yourself and won't run larger than 35s.

 

is your tcase recommendation implying that the atlas is overkill for a 44? what about a 2-speed? I was in Moab with the stock 2.72 tcase, wishing I could crawl slower and wondering if the 4:1 would be slow enough. just curious on your thoughts behind your recommendation. cheers.

 

Doesn't atlas have a rubi crawler device that attaches to the rear of the trans. It would lower the ratio without having to swap out anything and may be cheaper