hey guys! so i went wheelin with a couple buddys this weekend up the mountain and had a ton of fun. but we got on a couple trails that my 88 f150 had a little troubles on. traction troubles... my truck sists on 33s and i have no intentions of going to bigger tires anytime soon. so it got me thinking about welding my front differental. im pretty shure it can handle the little bit of extra stress and i dont have a high horse power engine (4.9 300 I-6) has anyone tried this? and how hard was it? im not willing to wastethe money on a locker for such a poor suspension design. any info helps, thanks!!!

 

Don't do that. You're just asking for trouble. You'll never be able to use 4x4 on any sort of paved surface again. If you want traction, find a limited slip unit to put in it, or find some more aggressive tires.

 

Steve83 @ supermotors did it to his Bronco. Broke the first time he hit mud. Blew one of the spider gears out, and grenaded both hub locks. Not worth it. Oh, and he also runs a 4.9 on 33's...

 

and on top of what the others said, don't do it.

 

If you ever want to turn than I say steer clear. You can get a used detroit locker off one of the jeep guys for less than 250 bucks.

 

I dont like spools in the front axle, even on dedicated trail rigs. It drastically reduces the maneuverability, which makes it a complete pain on tight trails.

Have you thought about welding up the rear differential? There would be no loss of maneuverability and you can still drive it on the street.

 

I wouldn't weld the rear either. He will chirp tires in every turn and wear the rear tires down much more quickly. Unless he wants it to be for trails ONLY, he should save up for LS diffs.

 

I had a DD/trail rig that had a spool in the rear axle, and it was very streetable. In fact, I prefer a spool over an automatic locker on the street.

Limited slips are about as effective as open differentials on the trail. Either keep it open, or get a locker or spool. LS on something thats going to see trail duty is a waste of time and money

 

Can buy a lunchbox locker for the rear for about 400. Welding & spools are cheaper but won't allow for any slippage when cornering. You'll go thru tires & probably other parts if you drive on pavement.

 

@stewart89 how would a jeep locker go into my 8.8 limited garbage rear axle? I'm not positive but I'm pretty Shure that the jeep axle and the 8.8 are totaly different.
And @gatrhneddy I like the idea of welding the rear diff. And if you weld it right it will not gernade. A couple of my buddies here at school have welded there rear ends and have had no problems what so ever. I know that the tires will wear a little faster but it's not that bad. Has any one welded there rear spider gears, and if so can you give me detailed info? Thanks again.

 

Don't cheap out. Save up money and do it right. Get a locker or something of the sort instead of asking for parts to break when you don't do it right and your rear diff does grenade on you and leaves you looking like a fool.

 

I agree with everyone else. Dont do it. Kiss your steering goodbye, my buddies mud truck was actually worse in the mud with the front diff welded. Better on traction, zero steering. Invest in a Limited Slip. If anything lock the rear, it will help a lot as well.

 

Just don't do it this way!!!!

 

If you do end up welding it, make damn sure your hospitalization insurance is paid up, you WILL need it for the ER, for broken thumbs, fingers and wrists..

 

yeah, that weld doesnt look very strong!