73redblaze
1/2 ton status
pros and cons?
i know cons are limited steering and easy to break but anything else?
i know cons are limited steering and easy to break but anything else?
CK5
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anyone ever welded up front diff?
- Thread starter 73redblaze
- Start date
I'm interested to hear some opinions. I've thought about going with a spool for my front.
four_by_ken
1/2 ton status
Turning is more difficult and bad street manners.
Mud truck... go for it. Otherwise you will find yourself unlocking hubs to turn tight.
I wouldnt say the chances of breaking are any greater than having a Detroit up front.
What are the intentions of the truck?
Mud truck... go for it. Otherwise you will find yourself unlocking hubs to turn tight.
I wouldnt say the chances of breaking are any greater than having a Detroit up front.
What are the intentions of the truck?
readymix
3/4 ton status
I welded Sandawgk5's D60 a few years ago. As far as I know the only thing he has ever broken related to i is the front drive shaft.
I welded it so that he could remove the spiders and swap back to an open front end if he wanted to.
I welded it so that he could remove the spiders and swap back to an open front end if he wanted to.
my front is welded, and when we got 17" of snow i drove it on the street in 4wd, no issues what so ever, but i also have hydro-assist.
had a detroit in another 60 up front, and for the most part i think they handled pretty similarly. welding a 60 will save you $500.
had a detroit in another 60 up front, and for the most part i think they handled pretty similarly. welding a 60 will save you $500.
Several of guys in our club have run either welded or spooled front ends (same characteristics). Steering while in 4wd on the trail isn't the best, but not a whole lot worse than any other type of true locker. All of them also had either welded or spooled rear axles. A couple of them had twin stick t-cases so they could run in 2-low on the easy sections of the trail so steering wasn't nearly as much of an issue, but it still had more effect than something like a Detroit or Lock-right when in 2wd but hubs still locked. One guy did not have twin-stick capabilities and tried the "run with only 1 hub locked" method......quite frankly it became rather comical after awhile. Probably better just to leave both hubs locked in and deal with the steering.
As said above, I don't see how parts would be more likely to break with a welded or spooled diff versus a locker. A locker is engaged anytime you are giving it power, and you will only break something under power. I have yet to ever see somebody break an axle shaft while coasting, which is the only time a locker will be disengaged.
As said above, I don't see how parts would be more likely to break with a welded or spooled diff versus a locker. A locker is engaged anytime you are giving it power, and you will only break something under power. I have yet to ever see somebody break an axle shaft while coasting, which is the only time a locker will be disengaged.
GMC1977
1/2 ton status
my brother runs a welded front on his jeep. drives fine, all he does is shifts into two wheel and unlocks the hubs. easy enough. he has a d44 out of a 80's k20 by the way
Jacks'72K5
Registered Member
I have been wondering, now I will be welding!
My d60 is welded, it works good in mud and snow. On trails tho it didnt turn easily, i had to back up alot or unlock a hub to turn like said above. I have hydro assist now and it works good all the time, cant complain at all and it saved me alot of cash. I did hydro assist and it was still cheaper than a locker, but then again guy with lockers have hydro. I thought the idea sucked till i had hydro, i have 2.0 ram and its not bad on the road either. The 1.5 prob would be be better....
It's good to hear from a few guys who actually drive locked up front ends. There is a lot of the "Oh no it has horrible street manners" attitude around.
I'm one of those guys who have built my front end with a spool and am just going to deal with whatever comes of it,
and it will be street driven.
I'm running a D60 rear and a D44HD front, both spooled, not welded. I have not gotten to drive it yet as I'm still building it.
Six year build, and not done yet. Haven't even driven it yet.
I'm one of those guys who have built my front end with a spool and am just going to deal with whatever comes of it,
and it will be street driven.I'm running a D60 rear and a D44HD front, both spooled, not welded. I have not gotten to drive it yet as I'm still building it.
Six year build, and not done yet. Haven't even driven it yet.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
had a welded/locked diff in mine at one time,,, nothing wrong with daily driving it because they aren't locked in, unless you have fulltime 4wd, but you will get tired of cranking the steering wheel 180 just to make slight curves say on dirt roads and such heading to a trail or something of the like, plus not to mention the added stress on the gearbox and frame section of the forcing of turning the tires while they fight.
i got overly tired of the welded front diff after only 3 trips out, have since put in a lock-rite type locker, yeah maybe similar styling and workings, but i have the option of LEAVING the hubs locked and use the floor shifter to drop into 2wd to release tension on the front driveshaft, releasing the locker and leaving me aboe to turn when it's not really needed.
yes, still alittle bit of fighting it on some trails, but you figure out ways of using 2wd for everything except when you absolutely NEED 4wd.
If i had the money for an air locker or something, i would definately have one in there, but the locker works fine so far for what i have used it for.
this is just my opinion on this setup, i think it sucks, only from my own personal experience.
i got overly tired of the welded front diff after only 3 trips out, have since put in a lock-rite type locker, yeah maybe similar styling and workings, but i have the option of LEAVING the hubs locked and use the floor shifter to drop into 2wd to release tension on the front driveshaft, releasing the locker and leaving me aboe to turn when it's not really needed.
yes, still alittle bit of fighting it on some trails, but you figure out ways of using 2wd for everything except when you absolutely NEED 4wd.
If i had the money for an air locker or something, i would definately have one in there, but the locker works fine so far for what i have used it for.
this is just my opinion on this setup, i think it sucks, only from my own personal experience.
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I was thinking about either doing a spool in the front or an ARB air locker. I think it's basically going to have to come down to the benifit of having the option to unlock versus the coin.
Thats what it was with me. Do I spend an assload-o-cash for a little select-ability, or just go cheap and get the spool for 150 bones and just deal with it's little issues?
I chose the latter.
I chose the latter.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
that's usually what happens when you go with cheap, you get cheap performance, spend alittle extra, get alittle better satisfaction, spend alot, get what you are originally after.
Don't really agree with that philosphy MOST of the time. Just because you spend more money on your rig doesn't mean it will perform better. A know a guy who just dropped $35k building a YJ (and it still has the stock engine, no cage, and no winch) who used this philosphy and it does absolutely nothing better than $5k rigs.
$150 vs. big coin on a selectable...........more like free vs. big coin on a selectable if you just weld it.
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I have never had a welded or spooled front and the only ones I have ever wheeled with had full hydro steering didnt' seem to hurt them at all.
I have Detroits and love them but after driving a buddys Cherokee for a week in Moab with ARBs front and rear I can tell you I want them
I have Detroits and love them but after driving a buddys Cherokee for a week in Moab with ARBs front and rear I can tell you I want them
