with a rear D44 (non rubi) with 4.56 gears, chromoly shafts, auto locker and a front HP D30 same with gears, shafts and lockers, whats ideal tire size for moderate wheeling?
Depending on the chromo's most have a warranty and I know of quite a few on this board and others who wheel the wee out of their junk and have yet to break a chromo 30 shaft on 35's and smaller. Just my experiences. Each to his own.
That 30 is definitely the bottleneck, if it were me I'd be looking at 35's or smaller, I'd probably stick with 33's. Maybe if you got some longfield shafts in there...maybe maybe maybe consider solidifying the 35/36" range.
I say go 35's. I had basically the same setup with the 30 front and custom rear 44, 4.56's and detroits in both in a 98 TJ with a 4.0 and 35" MTR's. I never really broke anything (and I tried). MTR's may have been more forgiving than some other 35's like swampers that are likely larger and heavier. I had stock shafts in the front. There is no way I would have gone to 37's though. I'd rather beat on the smaller tires than worry about breakage going bigger. I thought that was a great setup while I had it.
all good information...but you also can keep in mind, I'm running stock D30 shafts and have been running 36" iroks for a while now with no breakage. Its all about driving style...and maybe a little luck.
go 35's and dont worry about it. if u have chromos in the 30 it will be good just make sure u use a good gear set in the 30 that will be the weak link i have broke 2 yukon 4.88's but i have a heavy zj. on a tj i should take a beating. also susp. has a lot to do with it i have broke more parts when i had a radius long arm setup due to tire hop in the front now i have a 4 link and its night and day. just my 2 cent!