Dana 30 best parts between 74 and 79?

I picked up a 79 D30, 3.54, with disk brakes yesterday. I have a 74 D30, 3.73. The question is, what parts should be swapped? Are some parts better than others that I should mix and match...do I just swap knuckles in order to get the disk brake...or...do I swap the carrier's, axles, etc.

I'm not asking for directions on how to do it, I know that already, it's more about using the best parts from each era of D30.

The article link below triggered that thought because it says that an 81 axle shaft was slightly thicker between the splines...if that is true, I wonder if it applies to 79 axles also and if I need to mix and match parts for a slightly stronger D30? Does it really matter?

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/projects/pieces/front/

 

The outer axle is different from disc to drum so use the outers with the disc brake spindles. Personally, if the 3.73 axle is the right gear ratio just swap knuckles out and the shafts and be done. If both axles are narrow track (should be) and the joints are good then that makes it easy as you can just swap over the inners and outers. You're going to have them both apart anyway so I'd just look at the shafts and see which ones are in better shape and stronger. I'd replace the joints regardless unless new. I can't verify that there is a huge difference in the inner shafts but have seen minor diameter differences. Problem is, you don't know what's been swapped in before so you can't simply go by the year.

 

Yep, it's true that I don't know what's been done already...it *looks* stock but who knows.

I was figuring that I'd just swap the knuckles...and inspect all the hard parts to use the best ones. I didn't know about the outer axle and spindle, thanks. I'll take some measurements for my own use to check axle thickness etc.

All the wearable parts (seals, u-joint, ball joints) will get replaced.