Welding spider gears?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
Welding spider gears?
If I welded them with some good welds do you guys think the torque from my engine would break the welds? I have a Detroit locker sitting in my garage but the cost to have someone put it in for me is a lot more than welding the gears. Does anyone have a wright up on welding them together? I've never messed with gears before but I've heard it's easy to do
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: AZ
I do believe you would then have no differential action in the rear end at all...both wheels would drive at the same rate. This would cause the truck to handle very squirrely when making turns (where the inner turn tire must turn slower than the outer turn tire). I have a locking unit in a heavy truck I drive and it locks the drives side to side...15 mph maximum speed (automatic disengage) and no turning the steering wheel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Wallingford, CT
I do believe you would then have no differential action in the rear end at all...both wheels would drive at the same rate. This would cause the truck to handle very squirrely when making turns (where the inner turn tire must turn slower than the outer turn tire). I have a locking unit in a heavy truck I drive and it locks the drives side to side...15 mph maximum speed (automatic disengage) and no turning the steering wheel.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 497
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From: KC MO
I had welded spiders in my Mustang as a teenager. I can tell you from experience it is hard on the differential, no fun to drive and will eventually break.
A Detroit Locker is what I used in my new / upgraded 9". It ratchets around corners; it is not the same as welded spiders. Save your pennies and get it installed.
A Detroit Locker is what I used in my new / upgraded 9". It ratchets around corners; it is not the same as welded spiders. Save your pennies and get it installed.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 428
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From: Hot Springs Village, Ar
Deadly on ice (or dirt, gravel)!! You would probably also snap axles. Great for straight pulling only.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 797
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From: UT
Welding spiders is common in derby cars. Its cheap traction, almost all is done in the dirt. Like others have said, when you turn one tire needs to rotate slower than the other. If you was to pull into a parking stall, your inner tire would chirp trying to compensate. More than likely the welds or gears will break. Save your money and get your locker installed correctly.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
Looks like I've got to put the locker in then. I wish I had a tru trac but owell. I've read a lot of threads and most of them say that our trucks are too heavy to be pushed around by a locker. I know once I put it in it's gonna take some getting used to and my wife won't be driving it in the winter.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
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From: Eastern Ohio
The should fine in your truck, but the do take some getting use to. A few tips, rear tire tread dedth and pressure must kept exactly the same, (I use a hose to equilize them) always coast around sharp corners, be prepaired for it to unlock when ever the is bend in the road and expext plenty of looks from passengers and bystanders when that thing bangs in and out.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
That sounds more like a tru track than a full on locker, or is my understanding wrong? A tru track will unlock during normal driving and lock when it sences wheel spin and a locker is locked in reguardless?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: southeast Texas
i have dont this on 2 different toyota trucks iv owned.
lincoln lockers named after the lincoln welder
it drove great in the woods and i used 4x4 about half as much as before welding.
i would think that if the torque broke the welds it would still work because the weld that will be left on the gear teeth will not let them mesh and cause them to remain locked by fouling the gears.
i dont think i would do my everyday truck this way because i wore out a set of superswampers. it acts like a 4 wheeler or an old 3 wheeler both tires turn at the same rate, and you get a chirp from the inside tire on a turn, so its spinning out and wearing out every time you turn.
but great for the mud or woods.
i welded mine up with 7018 carbon steel stick rods, just a good tack weld across the gears i could reach.
lincoln lockers named after the lincoln welder
it drove great in the woods and i used 4x4 about half as much as before welding.
i would think that if the torque broke the welds it would still work because the weld that will be left on the gear teeth will not let them mesh and cause them to remain locked by fouling the gears.
i dont think i would do my everyday truck this way because i wore out a set of superswampers. it acts like a 4 wheeler or an old 3 wheeler both tires turn at the same rate, and you get a chirp from the inside tire on a turn, so its spinning out and wearing out every time you turn.
but great for the mud or woods.
i welded mine up with 7018 carbon steel stick rods, just a good tack weld across the gears i could reach.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
Would it be possible to tack them like you did and drive it, and if I didnt like them could I some how cut or grind the weld off, or would that be a point of no return once its done? I like 3/32 7018 but if Im just going to tack something I perfer 6010. Im a welder too lol 6G stick and Tig, 2'' sch80 certified... and some kind of mig welding... I hate mig welding with a passion!!! Like I said in the opening post Ive never messed with gears so all this is new to me