Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Open Differentials

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 01:40 PM
  #1  
zman764's Avatar
zman764
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Open Differentials

Is there a cheap, reliable, easy to do way, to upgrade to anything better than the 2 open diffs. on my 97 ?
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 02:26 PM
  #2  
Chris_ce's Avatar
Chris_ce
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Weld the rear end. Doesn't get any cheaper than that.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 02:43 PM
  #3  
warrencowboy05's Avatar
warrencowboy05
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: gurnee
weld em both!

adam
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 05:53 PM
  #4  
kevinupchurch's Avatar
kevinupchurch
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
That depends on what you consider cheap.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 07:56 PM
  #5  
chrono4's Avatar
chrono4
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
well, welding is the cheapest, whats your budget here?
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:01 PM
  #6  
fishmanndotcom's Avatar
fishmanndotcom
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
pfffft, you guys are crazy! how do you figure welding is cheapest? first he prolly doesn't know how to weld, so he'd have to pay someone (no offense just assuming) and then he'd be going through tires like there is no tom! if it were me i'd weld the front and see how that works for a while. once you weld the rear your done unless you can find a new diff.

-cutts-
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:03 PM
  #7  
chrono4's Avatar
chrono4
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
initially cheapest, but yeah, for a dd, not a good idea.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:40 PM
  #8  
Chris_ce's Avatar
Chris_ce
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Welding is the cheapest. I answered his question with as little as effort as he put into his post. Notice he didn't say what it was to be used for. He didn't ask what was the best way or for a way that wouldn't have any adverse affects.


How about we get some more info. Will it be used in 4x4 on the road? Is this a off road truck only?

If welding is not the cheapest why did you suggest it for the front?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:01 PM
  #9  
fishmanndotcom's Avatar
fishmanndotcom
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by Chris_ce
Welding is the cheapest. I answered his question with as little as effort as he put into his post. Notice he didn't say what it was to be used for. He didn't ask what was the best way or for a way that wouldn't have any adverse affects.
AGREED!

Originally Posted by Chris_ce
If welding is not the cheapest why did you suggest it for the front?
b/c you can drive in 2wd and not feel any affects of the welded diff... c'mon man you know that!

i'm all for welding diffs but need to look into it further before asking these kinds of questions. GOOGLE is a wonderful thing

-cutts-
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:33 PM
  #10  
BFR250SD's Avatar
BFR250SD
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Put a lock-rite or a mini-spool in. He can do that himself with relatively little hassle and exspense. If he doesn't want to tear up tires and driveline, go with the lock-rite.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 05:08 PM
  #11  
zman764's Avatar
zman764
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Sorry for the lack of info guys...
Im 18 I dont have a welder and dont know how to do it.
My truck is a day to day and fun on the weekends.
I do a little bit of towing so I guess that needs to be taken into consideration.

32 miles a day on highway just for work, i go about 300 miles a week on road.
I did say i want reliable, I didnt consider welded diff. to be very tough, too many places that puts extra stress on.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 05:36 PM
  #12  
FordPickMeUp's Avatar
FordPickMeUp
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: hamden,CT
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
AGREED!


b/c you can drive in 2wd and not feel any affects of the welded diff... c'mon man you know that!

i'm all for welding diffs but need to look into it further before asking these kinds of questions. GOOGLE is a wonderful thing

-cutts-
i never knew this ,so if you weld your spool you wont even notice it in 2wd unlike a locker.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 06:38 PM
  #13  
Chris_ce's Avatar
Chris_ce
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
so if you weld your spool you wont even notice it in 2wd unlike a locker.
He is talking sbout the front axle, and you will not notice it unless it's in 4x4.

For the original question. I would weld the front if it is not driven on the road in 4x4(snow). However you could always just unlock one hub and it would be fine for the road. It may be cheaper for you to buy a lockrite or similar for the rear.
you need to check labor charges. If you get it welded take it to someone that knows how to weld very good.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 09:32 PM
  #14  
BFR250SD's Avatar
BFR250SD
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Alright, the voice of reason has to slightly kick in as soon as he says it's a DD and tows with it. Welding is not the way to go for a DD or a tow rig.

Do yourself a favor. Save a coupla bucks and do it right for your intended purposes. Put a lock-rite up front for now and do the rear later. That way you have that traction when you use 4x4, but you don't get the negative effects of the locker, spool, welds, while you are driving day to day or towing.

Save a few more bucks and then do the rear with another lock-rite, if you want the locker or, I would say, go with a Detroit TruTrac LSD for the rear. From what you are talking about, I think this would fit your uses.

Or really drop the cash and get the ARB's!
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 11:36 PM
  #15  
KubotaOrange76's Avatar
KubotaOrange76
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,206
Likes: 2,663
From: GA
he said this is a 97, if its the f150 with ifs, welding the front would be bad....dont the cv's spin all the time?? or am i wrong??
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:26 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE