4.56 gears in a Dana 30 front

Yes. I upgraded the stock 3.07 gearing to 4.56 in the D30 front and ran with that configuration for several years before replacing the entire front-end on my 92YJ. 4.56s will fit the D30.

Terry.

You will have to get a new carrier for the D30, been there, done that.

-- JimG

It's been a few years, but thinking back I'm sure I didn't have to replace the entire reverse-cut D30 carrier when I installed the 4.56 R&P because I installed a LockRight locker at the same time, which replaces the side and spider gears. Didn't your LockRight install go this way too?

Terry 92YJ (now running dual D60s w/Detroits)

If original gear is higher that 3.73, the carrier has to be replaced. My original gear was 3.07. I had to replace the carriers in both front and rear.

JimG

My original gear was 3.07 too, but I'm certain I did not have to replace the D30 carrier in conjunction with using the LockRite. Maybe this is a difference in the stock '80 vs '92 D30?

Terry.

I don't think there is any difference - all internal parts are the same. Did you see Bill's list?

I can't imagine going from 3.07 to 4.56 without needing a new carrier in any Dana axle. I believe any ratio 3.73 or lower (lower meaning 4.10, 4.56, etc.) needs a new carrier, even in something that old. My TJ's non-reverse cut D30 sure did when I went from 3.55 to 4.10... but I kept the same carrier when converting from 4.10 to 4.88 earlier this year.

I agree with you, Jerry.

JimG

non-reverse

Jim,

Yes, I saw Bill's list, and believe it to be absolutely correct -- that you will have to replace the carrier in most cases. But I'm also sure that replacing the carrier is not necessary if one is to also install a LockRight at the same time, since installation of the LockRight replaces the spider and side gears that live inside the carrier. These new LockRight spider and side gears are specifically for a given gearing.

Taking out the stock carrier, I removed the 3.07 ring gear, removed the roll pin & cross shaft, dropped out the old spider/side gears, bolted the new

Thanks, Terry.

The Lock Right has nothing to do with the ring, pinion, and carrier combination, it simply replaces the spider gears. The Lock Right part number is based on the axle and spline count, not the gear ratio. The 4.56 ring gear/pinion combination will not fit on the 3.07 carrier. There are other locker systems that replace the carrier, but I am not familiar with them.

My 4.56 ring gear did fit on the stock carrier, and I successfully used the combination I speak of for about 6 years, Jim.

I know I'm not hallucinating (today) :))

Terry.

Hey guys, I'm not suggesting anybody is wrong. All I'm saying is I don't recall having to replace the carrier in my D30 whenever I made this swap back in spring of '96. The 4.56 ring bolted onto the stock carrier, and I used it until about 4 months ago. If I hadn't taken the old D30 to salvage last month, I'd go open it up and take a look. Both the CJ and the TJ use a non-reverse cut D30, whereas the YJ uses a reverse-cut. Maybe this is the difference -- I don't know. One thing is for sure: either it fit the stock carrier on my 92YJ or all those brain cells I destroyed at a younger age is starting to catch up with me!! :)

Cheers, Terry.

non-reverse

Yup, I agree with that. Thing is though, Bill, I did all the install work myself and I still don't recall replacing the carrier. And I've always prided myself with a having pretty good memory (until now)!! Oh yea, my brother-in-law did assist with the install (only cost me a few beers).

Terry.

The Ring and Pinion gears will fit just fine in the D30, the problem - poor choice of words - is that the carrier won't accept the larger Ring gear. You simply need to buy a new carrier as well as the gear set that you want.

The issue with the carrier is that the Ring gear won't fit the carrier for taller than 3.73s.

All those drugs you did as a kid are starting to catch up with you. You had to replace the carrier or the 4.56 ring gear would not have fit.

That seems to be the consensus! :). If so, I should still have the old carrier in my pile of Jeep parts. When I get over this head cold and the outside temp gets above 20 degrees I might go search for it.

By the way - no drugs for me, my friend. Drinking heavily used to be the routine though, especially during my college and military years. The good old days!

Terry.