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Was thinking of welding...

Yobtaf

Yobtaf

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My 14bff gov loc. Anyone with a welded gears, what do you think? Would ya do it again or is it just crap on the road?
 
It's crap on the road...a real tire eater too. Good for a trail rig, but after going two years as a DD with a welded rear I'd never do it again. Once I got the Detroit and felt the difference in manners I felt like slapping myself for running welded for so long.

Off road...I loved it then. ;)

Rene
 
Yobtaf said:
My 14bff gov loc. Anyone with a welded gears, what do you think? Would ya do it again or is it just crap on the road?
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fwiw, detroits can be had for about $400 and it's easier to deal with than welding. of course, then you have to replace carriers because you already have a gov-loc. maybe sell the 14b you got and get an open one of same gears + detroit? guess that's alot of work too, though.
 
colbystephens said:
fwiw, detroits can be had for about $400 and it's easier to deal with than welding. of course, then you have to replace carriers because you already have a gov-loc. maybe sell the 14b you got and get an open one of same gears + detroit? guess that's alot of work too, though.
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I have a open carrier sitting here too. Was going to wait and put 4.88 gears on it and a detroit down the line.
 
Yobtaf said:
I have a open carrier sitting here too. Was going to wait and put 4.88 gears on it and a detroit down the line.
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Welded is for 95% trail only rigs. I have 4.88's and a Detroit in the 14FF going in my K5. Have the 4/88's for my D60, just need a locker for the front. Still undecided on an ARB or detroit for the front. What are you running up front for a locker?
 
I hate welded but if its the only option then just weld the spiders together start saving for a detroit for that matter a lock right or any other drop in locker for a 14 b yukon makes one now the grizzly I think

I ran welded for a couple months didnt' like it on road or off road the welded rear end pushes the front end around more than a locker making it a bit harder to maneuver off road
 
I've ran a welded rear on my trail rig for years. It did spend a couple years driving to and from the trails before I got a trailer.

I went from an aftermarket limited slip rear axle to the welded rear and really didn't notice any huge change in street manners. The only time I ever noticed the welded diff was because of tire chirping in parking lots and a few places in town. I do agree that it wore back tires quicker.

Another guy in our club runs a welded rear and spent years driving the rig to the trails on the road with 42" tires, and that includes several 300-400 mile round trips with no issues. The rear tire wear was not as pronounced on his rig though.

On the trail I think this the best option. Both myself and guy above have pretty much convinced many others in our club to go with a welded rear diff and nobody regrets it.

However, I personally would not run a welded rear on the my daily driver because there are some slight drawbacks for pavement driving and most of that is tire wear. But I also have never needed the off-road performance from my daily driver either.
 
blazinzuk said:
on road or off road the welded rear end pushes the front end around more than a locker making it a bit harder to maneuver off road
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x2 it makes it really hard to make tight turns, you have to kind of drift them. It is better then an open diff but I would rather have a detroit.
 
drivin around on the roads wit a weldid rear aint nuthin...:rolleyes:

you can barely tell, and yea it chirps aliddle around turns, so...

i does wear tires down little quicker, but ya get used to it so quick it aint even funny. no big freagin deal
 
thats right buster... the welded rear isn't bad on road. just feel it in slow turns. feels great.. just go straight..
 
bringing this back to the top with another question.

If I did weld the rear and drove the streets in front wheel drive, twin sticked, would that make it better? :confused: Or do I need to pull my head out of my ass:p:
 
Yobtaf said:
If I did weld the rear and drove the streets in front wheel drive, twin sticked, would that make it better? :confused: Or do I need to pull my head out of my ass:p:
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You will still scrub around turns even if the rear isn't getting power. To go around turns the inside wheel has to turn slower then the outside, and if they are welded its not going to happen, you probably already knew that though. It might be pretty fun to drive though, kinda like a front wheel drive car with fast food trays under the rear wheels and the e brake cranked :D
 
When we went to some of our snow runs this year (I drove) I put it in front wheel drive hi, it worked pretty dang good, although you have to get on and off the gas pretty lightly or the front end will kind of want to jerk one way or the other. This is with a detroit in the front
 
I Daily drove my old car with a welded diff for 3 years. fairly light though at a little over 2k pounds. with 160whp was plenty to get the tires lit. Tire wear didnt seem to be that big of an issue. And you just have to judge your turning accordingly, especially in adverse weather, or be prepared to counter-steer.

Pretty sure i will be welding up the 14bff i just picked up.
 
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