Replacing A Dana 27 With A Nt Dana 30 In My 1970 Cj5

I would change the front to 1310 U joints at both ends of the shaft. Someone in your wheeling group will have a 1310 U joint if you don't...... No one will have that dinky little joint.... unless you wheel exclusively with FinoCJ....

 

I ordered the 1210/1310 driveshaft. it will be here Wednesday, on my birthday.

i just want to bolt it up and wheel it.

 

and done...

 

put about 200 trail/fire lane miles on over the weekend. the new dana 30 is great. I'm not sure if the dana 27 was so worn out, but now if I'm in 4WD, I GO the way I steer. its slightly scary at slow speeds, handling is that different and new to me. learning curve I guess.

looking forward to getting rid of that sloppy ross box steering this winter.

 

Did you install the 5 degree castor shims between the springs and axle that Mcruff fabricates? I don't see them in your last photo. These should restore steering inclination so handling is good.

 

Good components and proper caster is key for solid stable steering.

 

how do i know if i need shims?

 

Lynn had the original Dana 30 swap article many years ago. I'm not sure where it is now.
I know that going from a Dana 27 to a Dana 30 with an early CJ5 requires a castor shim on each spring. Mcruff can probably tell you more. He makes them in different angles.
I have the 5 degree shim and it works fine. From my "Gem of the Rockies" build thread:

Right is forward.

 

i sent him a message. thank you!

 

That is who I bought my shims from. Great guy and product.

 

When I first installed the D30 in my 71' it floated all over the place. I added a 5 degree shim and it cleared it right up.

 

can anybody help me find a set of 5 degree castor shims? I sent @Mcruff a note, but I'm sure he has been very busy and hasn't been here to see my message.

 

Just get the 2" wide 6 degree shims from warrior products. Approx 2 min with a grinder and they will be 1-3/4" wide.
Machined Steel Shims for 2" Wide Leaf Springs (6 Degrees)

 

That's what I did

 

X3 I used the Warrior Products 2" wide 6 degree shims. I needed to drill out the center pin holes:


And grind some clearance for the U-bolts with the angle grinder:




Then they fit great: