Topic: Conversion knuckles

[Jeffy]

Anyone see these before?  I've seen the ad a few months back but forgot about them.  Basically, they allow you to use standard D44 outers on your D30.  They're not cheap but thought it was interesting none the less.

http://www.reidracing.biz/DANA30.php

Jeep DANA 30 Knuckle

Model D30001JL (left)
Model D30001JR (right)
JEEP Heavy Duty Flat Top Dana 30 / Rubicon Knuckles

$259.00 each

The new Dana 30 / Rubicon 44 knuckle will transform late model Jeep axles into true contenders. The Reid knuckle adapts these axles to use early style Chevy & Jeep Dana 44 "outers". Early outers use tapered roller bearings eliminating the problematic unit bearings and allows standard lockout hubs to be used. Bigger brakes, more lug pattern options, and better aftermarket support come along as part of the conversion. The knuckles are also flat topped and drilled for high steer arm use.

    * Uses stock pre-1987 Dana 44 Chevy or Jeep spindles, hubs, rotors, calipers, stub shafts, and lockouts.
    * Fits YJ, TJ, XJ, WJ, ZJ, and MJ Dana 30 axles and TJ Rubicon Dana 44 axles.
    * Easy bolt-on installation with no machining required.
    * Aftermarket high strength stub shafts and lockouts can be used.
    * Eliminates wimpy non-serviceable unit bearings.
    * Adds conventional lockout hubs.
    * Better fuel economy and less wear and tear when in 2 wheel drive.
    * More lug patterns available including 5x5.5, 6x5.5, and 8x6.5.
    * Cast from high strength ductile iron.
    * Beefed up with extra material and ribbing.
    * Flat tops machined and drilled for high steer arms, all angle corrections milled directly into the knuckle.
    * Cast-in DUAL steering stops eliminate bent stop bolts that can cause u-joint and axle failures.
    * Tapered tie rod holes accept factory tie rod ends.
    * Tie rod holes can be drilled to accept 3/4" heim ends.
    * Powder coated bright orange for long lasting looks.
    * Machined to clear CTM u-joints without removing the grease fittings.

Dealer inquiries welcome. Knuckles for off road use only.
There is no warranty on this product.

[FourbangerYJ]

I saw them a while back, but didn't pay much attention since they didn't apply to me. Pretty cool. The price is right in there with other high steer arms on the market. That is a big part of what makes high steer so spendy.

[aw12345]

Really don't see the point of it. To hang 500 bucks worth of knuckles on a 100 dollar axle. Then buy spindles and hubs rotors steer arms and it;s still not a whole lot stronger than what you started out with. Front Dana 44 old style do not have a whole lot stronger axle shafts than anything that can be stuffed in to a Dana 30 or Rubicon Dana 44. After all that money it will still have the thing axle tubes so what's the point really.
Just spend your money on some good chromemoly axle shafts and use the rest for gas and lodging when you go wheeling will give you a lot more bang for your buck.
But then that is just my opinion

[sharpxmen]

they're nice but i'm with aw on this one. For the money (with the extras) you could probably get a whole good D44

[Jeffy]

I think these are a better option then the Mile-marker or Warn hub conversions.  This does several things right.  First it gives you high steer which neither of the other two do.  It gives you hubs and IIRC, Mile marker doesn't have the larger hubs available.  Next you get larger brakes.  So for the person who's not looking to swap a D44 rigth away or ever, this might be a simple solution.  It's got to be cheaper then Warn's conversion by a long shot since everything is OE except for the outer knuckles.

[jagular7]

I looked at them as a solution to my brake pad problem. I also looked at Vanco brake upgrade as well.

There are pros and cons to the swap. Costs and additional components (GM knuckle out), redoing the track bar mount if you were to take advantage of the hi-steer, conversion for the steering and brakes, hi-steer setup (if you go that way) all on a D30 low pinion with stamped mounts. I had started to build my TJ D30 with the 4.88, Easylocker, lower control arm skids, diff cover, upper control arm bushings and Currie steering. So I have spent a little time and effort into the D30. Then came along this front brake pad problem.
I weighed out the solutions and convinced myself - wheeled for 5+ yrs on the same axle, never a problem, can wheel another 5 yrs on the new radial tires (KM2s), so Vanco was the solution at their $550 cost for brake upgrade to a turn of ~$10/month and I could live with that. To add, everyone I've read states Vanco's product is the bling for brakes on a TJ with 35's or bigger. So I called during holidays. Couple of things differ than their website. Cost is $750 plus $200 for a knuckle core. There are upgrades for same at $200 additional cost. So I decided not to purchase. The outcome just surprised me.
Now I'm back to weighing the Reider knuckles. The costs can be justified with the same thoughts, but still haven't accumulated the GM hardware. There is a lot of other 'adjustments' as well that require the front axle to be setup. Benefits can vary with hi-steer as well.

Since I've got the setup that has worked for years, I'm going to stick with it. I've researched and found that early to mid 90s XJ knuckles are the same as TJs. So I'm purchasing a $600 95 XJ to part out and use the front axle. SInce I've got adjustable control arms, it will be a bolt in replacement. I will need new r&p and a setup, but I've got connections for that. And everything will swap over carrier, locker and shafts. Steering and track bar will bolt right in. The added bonus will be the high pinion. I will get my money back out of it and then some. It has 5.5" lift, 8.8 4.10 rear axle, custom front/rear bumpers, AX-15 newer clutch, pp, release bearing, new battery (red top), alternator, and a lot of little parts.
Here's to looking at another 5 yrs of wheeling.....

[sharpxmen]

I looked at them as a solution to my brake pad problem. I also looked at Vanco brake upgrade as well.

you can use WJ knuckles + calipers, your hubs and Explorer Sport Trac disk rotors (these are the ones Vanco uses and are 5 on 4.5) - that will make it the same kit as Vanco but you'll get high steer as well to eliminate the need for a drop pitman arm. You can use the WJ rotors and redrill them for the 4.5 pattern but i decided i need new disks anyway to i got the explorer ones. You do need 1/4'' spacers for the hub bearings that need to be welded to the knuckles. the whole thing with new disk rotors, spacers, knuckles and calipers should be around $200 + you'll need a new set of brake pads unless you want to reuse the old ones on the calipers (i wouldn't). You also need to remove about 1/8'' of the outside of the hub (same as with the Vanco kit), but it's easy to do - takes about 10 min/side with an angle grinder. You need to look for the Akebono brakes as the Teeves style were recalled at some point due to warping of the rotors and damage to the caliper sliders (both caliper types are dual piston and the disks are literally huge, as much as you can fit inside a 15'' rim with a caliper on) - i have some pics at the end of my drivetrain upgrade project (if you want to see the parts) but did not install them yet .

EDIT: you need to make or adapt new steering linkage, i got all off these from the same vehicle i got the knuckles but they need to be modified - i didn't get there yet so i dunno details at this time, but should be fairly simple from what i gather

[Bounty Hunter]

I think these are a better option then the Mile-marker or Warn hub conversions.  This does several things right.  First it gives you high steer which neither of the other two do.  It gives you hubs and IIRC, Mile marker doesn't have the larger hubs available.  Next you get larger brakes.  So for the person who's not looking to swap a D44 rigth away or ever, this might be a simple solution.  It's got to be cheaper then Warn's conversion by a long shot since everything is OE except for the outer knuckles.

Serviceable bearings also.

But I would just buck up to a d44 for a stronger axle housing and gearset.

[aw12345]

A friend of mine just picked up an XJ dana 30 HP housing for 50 bucks at half price day at a local pick a part set of knuckles would probably have been 40 bucks then about 150 for gears another 100 for a setup kit or reuse the old bearings all in all way cheaper than those knuckles. Reid makes good stuff, but just don't see a lot of use for these.

[Jeffy]

I should have said, I don't see them as a main stream product but a niche.  My guess is that they built these for Rubicon D44's where the owner might not want to upgrade.

[aw12345]

I agree with that one. It os also a nice upgrade for a Currie 9" front axle which might be more of it's intended market since they like to use the inner C's of a TJ dana 30 or 44