welding d44 front diff?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
welding d44 front diff?
will a front D44 in a 88 f150 with a 4 inch lift and 35's on a 15x8 rim with 4 inches of backspacing hold up if i weld the spiders? i go mudding about twice a month. i just put a powertrax lock right in the rear 8.8.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Welding it will make your truck strictly offroad only. Turning on pavement will make the tires howl and will break parts. Dangerous as hell. A selectable locker should be used up front. You gotta pay to play!
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
you could get by w/ driving on the road if you have lock-outs, but never have them locked on the road, only lock them off road. i would suggest getting another lock-right if you like the one in the rear. keep in mind when you weld a diff, you cant use those parts for anything else. if you want it open again you'll have to buy a new carrier.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
With a welded front, you can turn just fine it you leave one hub unlocked. On the jeep, I just wheel with it in 4 lock, and the passenger side hub locked. still turns just fine, and you have 3 wheel drive. If it starts getting messy, lock my side and its all good. You can unlock a welded diff if you dont weld the spiders to the carrier, just fill the valleys on the spider. with just 35's and a fairly stock mill, shouldnt have to many problems with it unless things were already going out like u joints.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: KY
Depending on the diff. I have used lead to lock up rear ends for years. Some diffs are hard to lead and some are easy. We use lead in pulling truck rear ends. You can melt it back out with no part damage.
You have to block off all the places that it can run out and you have to have it hot.
I haven't ever ran one leaded for alot of road miles. It may get loose over a period of time and have to re-heated. It is very strong. Stronger then welding.
You have to block off all the places that it can run out and you have to have it hot.
I haven't ever ran one leaded for alot of road miles. It may get loose over a period of time and have to re-heated. It is very strong. Stronger then welding.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
The lead idea is interesting. But, I a little reluctant to think that melting a very soft metal (lead) onto a hardened steel gear surface is going to be stronger than a good weld. Welds actually bond the two metals together at the molecular level. There aren't too many bonds stronger than that. A good weld is damn hard to break. However, if your method has been working for you it is probably strong enough and that is all that matters. Besides that, I think it is pretty darn clever.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: KY
I have seen pulling trucks break welded gears. The lead fills in all around the gears and they can't turn. It works. I would say some diffs may hard to lead because of accessability. Dana 44's may not lead good. Rear ends like Rockwell 106's, Ford 9", the old Corporate Chevy 1 tons, ones like that lead good.
Some guys pulling trucks won't lead there rearends because of weight. We used pull two drives so weight to the rear isn't that big a deal. You need some on the back, Four wheel drives want everything on the front.
Lead is heavy so guys in motor sports where you need to be light as far as total weight goes probably need a locking unit. If you are just going out and getting ignorant in the woods, try it.
Some guys pulling trucks won't lead there rearends because of weight. We used pull two drives so weight to the rear isn't that big a deal. You need some on the back, Four wheel drives want everything on the front.
Lead is heavy so guys in motor sports where you need to be light as far as total weight goes probably need a locking unit. If you are just going out and getting ignorant in the woods, try it.
Last edited by catfish101; Dec 14, 2006 at 08:24 PM.
