welded front diffs?

[hillbillysteve]

I have a spool in my rear diff, and want a front locker . This truck does not get driven on the road, aside from hard steering would there be any thing wrong with welding the front diff. people have told me to switch my 3rd members so the spool is in the front and weld the rear, I was thinking save the work and just pull the front and weld it. I asked a friend what the pros and cons of welding the front diff would be , and he wasn't sure and suggested this post on rme . thanks for any input.

 

[RockMonkey]

Steering will really suck. A lot. Seriously. The spool and the welded diff work exactly the same. I wouldn't run either in a front axle. What axle are you running? I would try to find a cheap locker for the front before I'd weld it or run a spool.

 

[ChestonScout]

either that or you have to run full hydro steering. I dont think even hydro assist would be strong enough. You seriously would not be able to steer.

 

[RockMonkey]

either that or you have to run full hydro steering. I dont think even hydro assist would be strong enough. You seriously would not be able to steer.

That won't even really help. Getting the wheels physically turned isn't the problem. Since they're locked together even when turned to full lock they will scrub and tend to plow straight forward.

 

[hillbillysteve]

so some thing like an aussie or detriot ez locker would be better ? like most people i,m after cheap and effective.

 

[RockMonkey]

so some thing like an aussie or detriot ez locker would be better ? like most people i,m after cheap and effective.

Yes, an Aussie Locker or Lock Right would be a much better option.

 

[dstrbd1]

I had a lot of good luck with the Aussie. IMO compared to the Lock right it is a lot better quality.

 

[I Lean]

^^Echoing the above. I have a spool in my front end, and would like to replace it with anything. If I get ambitious I might swap my front and rear third members, since I have a Detroit in the rear--but then again, I like the Detroit in the rear too.

Either way, get yourself a Lock-right or something.

 

[4554x4]

I have a lincoln locker in both the front and rear of the blazer. Dana 60 and 14 bolt. It does scuff the tires badly on pavement but is ok otherwise. I have done hydro assist and turns fine. If yours is off road only, weld it! You could always change it if you hate it.

 

[ATOYA4U]

I had my front 60 welded with hydro assist and it sucked. Don't plan on steering at all. If I were you get a selectable locker. I ran lockrite in my toy front it was ok but still didn't steer well. Save your money and do it rite the first time. It will be cheaper in the long run.. Just my .02

 

[Bucking Bronco]

I have a friend with a welded front in an xj he does ok when he is aired up but when he airs down its difficult to make even the slightest turns and it has completely torn apart where the gear box is mounted.

I welded the front in my bronco and I thought it worked good but there is a lot of driving with only 1 hub locked in.

 

[Meat_]

Steering will really suck. A lot. Seriously. The spool and the welded diff work exactly the same. I wouldn't run either in a front axle. What axle are you running? I would try to find a cheap locker for the front before I'd weld it or run a spool.

That won't even really help. Getting the wheels physically turned isn't the problem. Since they're locked together even when turned to full lock they will scrub and tend to plow straight forward.

x2

I coped with mine by unlocking 1 hub when I actually needed to drive around corners.

 

[Bart]

Did I mention I hate spools, and welded spiders. No faster way to wear out a set of expensive tires. Really, for the price of 1 tire you could have 2 lunch box lockers.

 

[Kiel]

Did I mention I hate spools, and welded spiders. No faster way to wear out a set of expensive tires. Really, for the price of 1 tire you could have 2 lunch box lockers.

Busted detroits are no fun either

 

[mbryson]

I'll probably be putting a selectable in the rear at some point. I'm getting a little tired of the mini-spool. Sometimes it's tough to get lined up like you'd like for obstacles. I can't imagine having spools in both axles.

 

[I Lean]

Busted detroits are no fun either

That is the big reason I have a spool in the front.

 

[Spork]

I think my turning radius doubled with the front welded in my CJ. I wouldn't do it again...

 

[LT.]

Before I would say yes or no I would like to have more information. First, what kind of a front axle are you running? Do you have hubs or is it a full time type of axle? What size tires are you running? You did mention that you do not drive it on the street but what kind of wheeling do you do? If you race in the mud or just play around in the slippery stuff and your axle is large enough then why not weld it? If you only wheel in the rocks (like this web site if set up to promote) then I would say no. But if you have hubs and you don't mind getting out everytime you want to make a course correction then go ahead.

LT.

 

[lostsamurai]

that's the craziest stuff I've ever heard! I have had samurai axles welded front and rear with 31's and 33's (driven every day on road) welded front and rear toyotas with 33's and 35's (driven every day on road) and now dana 44's welded front and rear with 35's and going to 39's just sidekick power steering never any issues! I don't think ill ever waste money on a locker hell my trackers front loc right wouldn't unlock the other day and exploded my birfield what's the diffrence?

 

[hillbillysteve]

This is a 84 toyota truck running 33's I'm new to this stuff so I try everything that I come across, but so far I really am loving the rocks!!! Thanks to all for the the advice, the majority of ya's say no, so I think I'll try and save some money!!