Has anyone welded their differentials

[boodaroo]

I have an 89 SWB I only use for trail riding and rock climbing. I do not have LSD and need to lock up my differentials. I plan on welding them and adding manual hubs on the front so I can unlock to steer when not climbing. I know lockers are available but spending $1000 (US) each would quadruple the cost of this off-road only rig Has anyone done this or have suggestions?

[GHendo]

If you do, it will be a bugger to drive on a wet bitumen road.

Geoff

[boodaroo]

Here’s where the problem starts...

Not much travel so it needs traction on all corners.

[geopaj]

Have you ever driven anything with welded diffs? I have and would I’d be worried about breaking things when trying to turn on high traction surfaces (like the rocks in your photo).

[spot01]

Have you tried the technique of using the handbrake partly on to slow the spinning rear wheel?


Unsure if something similar can be done for the front?

[boodaroo]

Have you ever driven anything with welded diffs? I have and would I’d be worried about breaking things when trying to turn on high traction surfaces (like the rocks in your photo).

I have had welded rear ends and was no different off-road than having a good locker. The ones I did I just took off the diff seal in the back and welded up (Chevy). This rig looks like you have to pull the axles and chunk out of the front of the diff. Wasn’t sure if you could even weld this set up without taking it apart...

[boodaroo]

Have you tried the technique of using the handbrake partly on to slow the spinning rear wheel?


Unsure if something similar can be done for the front?

This works in a jam but not when you are wheeling for fun... great idea though... funny, the new FJs actually use a computer controlled breaking for traction control in front.

[NJV6]

Pajeros have been doing that as well since the early 2000’s.

Don’t weld your front diff, I have a front air locker and i certainly would not want it locked all the time

[Lost1]

Have run a welded diff in a club rally car. Not sure I would want that in a 4wd. Even if it is for rock crawling. Better off teaching yourself to left foot brake. The human equivalent of traction control.

Having a welded front diff would be a pain in the butt, having to lock and unlock the front hubs continuously imo.

[boodaroo]

So I don’t know how to upload the videos I have but this pic may give an idea of the violence the drivetrain takes with the speed it takes to make these off camber climbs with open diffs... I’m gonna gamble and at least weld the rear up in the next few weeks and will let y’all know how it turns out....

[boodaroo]

Welded rear

I just got me rear end back today. It was easy to weld solid based on the square bracket that comes stock in the spider gears of the rear differential. Check out the pic. This rig is so short and light that I can’t image huge negative effects. I’ll update progress for trail and road performance.

[boodaroo]

Update

So got her put back together and finally got back out on the trails... making tight turns , even in two wheel drive, you will tear up the grass or leave rubber on the concrete... so if you drive on the road much I would not recommend ( as others stated). Now on the dirt/rock trails, this is a whole new vehicle! I was able to idle up hills and through rock gardens that I could only before barely get up at high speeds. I probably won’t weld the front because I see just how much this would bind the drivetrain making turns in 4x4. This is a definite mod to be considered if you have open rear differential with a rig only used for off-road.

[carnut1100]

Weldy in the back would rock.
Front not so much...
I welded the front diff in a Ranger for a mate, when he stripped the side gears and spiders. Turned it into a weapon, but he had to shift to 2wd to steer, unlocking the axle actuator.
Unfortunately, the axle actuator promptly died putting him back to 3wd...

[disco stu]

Wouldn't that be the same with a locker in the front?

[boodaroo]

Torn.. need help

So my Gen 1 has been amazing at climbing since I welded the rear. I still need more on the front end but can’t justify the price of an air locker and trying to listen to the advice of not welding front... can anyone point me to a reasonably priced locker for the front of a gen 1 ? I believe it is 28 spline based on what I read here. I am so close to just welding it but wanted to seek any additional advice. Thanks in advance!