Getting the samurai to Harlan

1327c6fe0ce4cfd381e6ece1b38ead1c.jpg


I pulled the rear axle out of the samurai to start measuring as well as cut all the brackets off of the Dana 30 housing. I just need to finish grinding down what’s left on the 30. I’m hoping to salvage all the brackets from the samurai axle.

5752c66b187b0062e993bf38d35a651d.jpg


And I picked up a complete Dana 30 with 4.10s to use for the front. My plan is to make it a roller with the rear and get the front setup for passenger drop before I get to pulling the Sami front axle.

I think most people don’t understand what I’m trying to build. It will be more like 3/4 scale of a Jeep on one tons. And if the rear steering axle doesn’t work out I will build some sort of full float Dana 44 or 30 hybrid
 
91samurai said:
I think most people don’t understand what I’m trying to build. It will be more like 3/4 scale of a Jeep on one tons.
Click to expand...
we get that, but we're trying to help guide you into a little heavier duty axle for the rear than a Dana 30. A d44 would be a better choice. In a Cherokee, we pop front ball joints, uj's, shafts & r&P's. A 44 is stronger & better suited. Yes, your motor may only make 25hp and 35 lb-ft torque, but add in gearing and you've got serious torque going through it. We're just trying to save you money by pointing you at better axles. D30 will work, but for how long? That's all. Good luck to you and i hope they hold up for you.
 
a_kelley said:
we get that, but we're trying to help guide you into a little heavier duty axle for the rear than a Dana 30. A d44 would be a better choice. In a Cherokee, we pop front ball joints, uj's, shafts & r&P's. A 44 is stronger & better suited. Yes, your motor may only make 25hp and 35 lb-ft torque, but add in gearing and you've got serious torque going through it. We're just trying to save you money by pointing you at better axles. D30 will work, but for how long? That's all. Good luck to you and i hope they hold up for you.
Click to expand...

X2 we are trying to help you but you’re not listening. The only ton you can use to describe those 30s are tons of time and money wasted.
 
I'm still in to see how it goes with the 30's...
(but I would have gone with yota axles!!!)
;)

What will this thing likely weigh when done?

Carry on OP!
 
paulevans76 said:
I'm still in to see how it goes with the 30's...
(but I would have gone with yota axles!!!)
;)

What will this thing likely weigh when done?

Carry on OP!
Click to expand...

I’m sure most would use Toyota’s. And I have a set sitting under a Toyota truck in my back yard but I’m hoping to use them whenever I get that truck wheeling. I’m guessing it will be in the 2500 to 3000 lb range. Hopefully on the lower end but things like sliders, roll cages, and beadlocks add up quick. I’m planning on weighing it once it’s finished. Keep in mind mine has been gutted with an aluminum dash and no heater. As well as a aluminum fuel cel, no back seat, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
1stgenxxx said:
X2 we are trying to help you but you’re not listening. The only ton you can use to describe those 30s are tons of time and money wasted.
Click to expand...
Not trying to get in the way of the build thread but bro chill. Why do you keep coming back and trying to derail the whole idea here. Not everything needs to be over built to work. Homie will be on 31s or 33s and not bouncing it up hills. The setup will last and if something breaks occasionally then you can always replace it. And a d30 just works best because it already has the offset rear diff he needs for his transfer case

Chris_Keziah said:
What's the fascination with rear steering? Not like it has a long wheelbase, guess somewhere in the low 90"? If that's the case then rear steer is just a party trick, doubt it will need to get used in real world crawling.
Click to expand...
Rear steer is cool in any rig regardless of size. I think the idea here is for a one of a kind build that will run almost any trail that bigger rigs will run, out here on the east coast. It might not help as much with the smaller wheelbase but it is still a useful tool to have for those situations you wish you had it. And the whole point of a smaller rig is that you're more nimble and can hit those tighter spots (that's what she said) that bigger rigs can't.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
What's the fascination with rear steering? Not like it has a long wheelbase, guess somewhere in the low 90"? If that's the case then rear steer is just a party trick, doubt it will need to get used in real world crawling.
Click to expand...

I feel like it is more of, a steering axle fits the offset of a Sami better, and isnt "custom". The ability to make it steer is just icing on the cake.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
I feel like it is more of, a steering axle fits the offset of a Sami better, and isnt "custom". The ability to make it steer is just icing on the cake.
Click to expand...

You got it. And my dad had a buggy on steering Rockwell’s so I know how much it can help and how much fun it is to screw around with. And how much it can make you roll over if you forget the rear is turned lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Why not pick up some D1 Land Rover axles if you are considering settling for the strength of a Dana 30. No rear steer but you’d be miles ahead in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You better take a 6 pack of spare axleshafts with you to Harlan. Tac the caps on some 760 u joint shafts and get real good at changing them. Upgrade to rcvs and then start blowing up r&ps if the BJs last that long.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
I feel like it is more of, a steering axle fits the offset of a Sami better, and isnt "custom". The ability to make it steer is just icing on the cake.
Click to expand...


A land cruiser axle is offset.

and the axle really doesn’t need to be offset. I beat the shit out of my old samurai with stock Toyota axles and 38s.

I think the OP may be more familiar with the science of metals than we are.
 
Last edited:
I want to see you do the rear steer just because it's unique. However, I have to agree with everyone that a d30 is a strange choice. That's a weak axle in it's factory front application, it will only be worse in the rear.

Here is where I would spend my money if I was dead set on this idea, paired with a mini truck front axle:

Screenshot_20191123-114309.png
 
72Rockcruiser said:
A land cruiser axle is offset.

and the axle really doesn’t need to be offset. I beat the shit out of my old samurai with stock Toyota axles and 38s.

I think the OP may be more familiar with the science of metals than we are.
Click to expand...

I need a offset rear for some future plans. I’m going to swap to a fuel tank under the body on the frame rail like a Jeep jk so I can have more cargo space. Have you seen how much people want for those land cruiser axles? It’s ridiculous and I’m a cheap ass


I appreciate the concern from every body but I’m going to try it and if it doesn’t work I’m not out a lot of money since I can just sell the axle and get a different rear. I know they explode under a 5000lb Jeep with 37s. But unless you have experience with a Dana 30 as a rear axle in a extremely light weight rig I don’t think you can comment on the strength unless you are just spilling internet bullshit. Most people haven’t wheeled anything less than 4klbs.


I will post up here if I break anything and y’all can say I told you so. But I like out of the box ideas. That’s how people find new ways to do things not the standard cookie cutter way of building a Offroad rig with a 60 and a 14 bolt and 40s
 
1stgenxxx said:
You better take a 6 pack of spare axleshafts with you to Harlan. Tac the caps on some 760 u joint shafts and get real good at changing them. Upgrade to rcvs and then start blowing up r&ps if the BJs last that long.
Click to expand...

I heard you the first time so you can stop clogging up my thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
jankoid said:
I want to see you do the rear steer just because it's unique. However, I have to agree with everyone that a d30 is a strange choice. That's a weak axle in it's factory front application, it will only be worse in the rear.

Here is where I would spend my money if I was dead set on this idea, paired with a mini truck front axle:

View attachment 306883
Click to expand...

That housing is nice. But I’m working with a 20 year old that just bought a house and a new baby budget. I’ll have as less than that housing in the whole swap


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
91samurai said:
But unless you have experience with a Dana 30 as a rear axle in a extremely light weight rig I don’t think you can comment on the strength unless you are just spilling internet bullshit. Most people haven’t wheeled anything less than 4klbs.
Click to expand...

I have plenty of experience with D30 rear axles in <4K# rigs and like has been stated, they'll shuck R&Ps on 235's faster than a D35 breaking!

In for the "I told you so" :flipoff2:
 
9ac4cc0938441b206c5ff8656da725c3.jpg


I got the rear axle mocked up. With the spring perches and traction bar mount from my old rear axle. It’s a lot wider now. I was able to reuse my spring plates by swapping them side to side. The outside u bolt will be tricky because the spring perch is up against the knuckle. I’m thinking of welding some nuts to the perch sort of like the ruffstuff u bolt eliminator kit

01a4b69c1c85c7d66b55e09ba380dd8b.jpg


It has some decent steering angle too. It’s going to take a lot of trimming to fit the rear tires while turned and flexed. But I’m not worried about that right now since the steering in the rear will be locked out for now

818ab0cde014e7d3443d8cfe83b6244a.jpg


I got the front axle cleaned up and ready to swap the tubes around. I did lots of measuring and cut both tubes 3 inches from the housing.

f844672ae269fee828bf1cca347a0645.jpg


I beveled and drilled the tubes for plug welds. I put the holes for the plug welds on the axle tubes offset 90 degrees from the holes in the center section to spread out the heat affected zone.

72f77f940d5b076990975ce26f0e91ae.jpg


I set the pinion angle and caster the same as the samurai axle was set up for. I still need to track down some axle shafts for the front. I ordered some new front wheel bearings, I’ll just put some bolts through the unit bearings to keep them together for mock up
 
easleycrawler said:
There is no way in hell I'd put in that much work, waste the time and money for Dana 30's. Not trying to be a dick or bust your balls, but I've got a damn good feeling, you'll be regretting this decision.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
Back
Top