I would look for a Dana 30 with Disk's. My '76 Dana 30 had drums and swapping to GM calipers/backing plates from a '77 blazer with Scout rotors/hubs made a big difference in stopping power after driving though deep mud/water.
The disk brakes were an option in 76 and standard after. I believe the 77 - 78 are more desireable as they have a thicker rotor and stronger 6 bolt hubs.
There would be one advantage to getting a dana30/44 set from a 72-75 CJ as they came with 3.73's and flanged axles on the rear. It is relatively cheap to convert to disk's if you go the GM route as I did.
I have a narrow track Dana 30 front and AMC 20 with 3.54's out of a 78 CJ that I will be selling but I'm over on Vancouver Island so that's probably out of the question.
Check out the links below for more info,
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/axle/d30.html
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/convaxle/d30.html
Ken
The disk brakes were an option in 76 and standard after. I believe the 77 - 78 are more desireable as they have a thicker rotor and stronger 6 bolt hubs.
There would be one advantage to getting a dana30/44 set from a 72-75 CJ as they came with 3.73's and flanged axles on the rear. It is relatively cheap to convert to disk's if you go the GM route as I did.
I have a narrow track Dana 30 front and AMC 20 with 3.54's out of a 78 CJ that I will be selling but I'm over on Vancouver Island so that's probably out of the question.
Check out the links below for more info,
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/axle/d30.html
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/convaxle/d30.html
Ken