Ive seen it done but pretty much always for a trailerd trail rig. If I weld up a 14 FF rear in my k5 will it be totally un-streetable.. I dont need it to be good on the street just driveable to get to where I'm off-roading.. Whats the performance diffrence between a locker and just welding?
CK5
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Welding up the rear?
- Thread starter viperrgh2
- Start date
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
It is not unstreetable, it is just not as nice to drive on the street. I drove a welded on the street for 2yrs. It gets annoying arond corners and also it chews up tires quick. If you are just driving it to the trail then weld it. Welded vs locker offroad is the same for traction in rear axle applications.
Harley
Harley
odoa3
1/2 ton status
Like Hoss said, it is driveable, just not great on tires. I have a Yukon solid spool in my 14 bolt, so basically just like a welded diff. If I turn sharp I hear the tires chirp in the rear. I have found that by getting off the gas and taking wide turns I can sometimes not chirp the tires while turning.
Mini spool
I went with the mini spool in mine. I didn't have enough $ for a locker and didn't want to weld the gears up. It does chirp the tires all the way around a corner. Sounds like a barking seal.
Here is a link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-Spool-GM-GMC-Chevy-3500-14-bolt-10-5-10-1-2-Locker_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33731QQihZ016QQitemZ260159701990QQtcZphoto
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=260119779873http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=260119779873
I went with the mini spool in mine. I didn't have enough $ for a locker and didn't want to weld the gears up. It does chirp the tires all the way around a corner. Sounds like a barking seal.
Here is a link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-Spool-GM-GMC-Chevy-3500-14-bolt-10-5-10-1-2-Locker_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33731QQihZ016QQitemZ260159701990QQtcZphoto
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=260119779873http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=260119779873
I have mine welded up and it drives decent. It doesnt like to start from a dead stop while turning sharp but if you just give it a little gas it works fine. You can always just weld up the spiders and if you dont like it swap it out for a detroit
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
lockright
I dunno.. but something about a welded rear scares me.. if it works for you cool..... but I am at ease knowing im detroited in front and back..
if you do lincoln lock it dont forget to get a sticker as a lincoln locked sticker would net you 15hp!!!!
if you do lincoln lock it dont forget to get a sticker as a lincoln locked sticker would net you 15hp!!!!
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
I love my Detroit in my 14bff but for all out strength for a 14bff a good welded, mini spool, or full spool is stronger.
Harley
Harley
Taylor
1/2 ton status
I run a Yukon spool too, its great offroad but same complaints as everyone else on the street. Chirp, tire wear sucks. But I also drive mine in the winter when the roads are bad, and I like the fact thats its always predictable. When you spin a tire or get on the throttle to early out of a conner that locker will lock, your truck will jump, and you will go OH MY GOD!
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
Any of the drivetrain shops should have them. Randy's Ring & Pinion, Reider Racing, etc. There are probably vendors on here to. Maybe Blazen Offroad.
Harley
Harley
I'll agree that a spool is stronger than a Detroit, but have you ever heard of anyone breaking a 14 bolt Detroit. I haven't.Hossbaby50 said:
Of course, maybe that's because very few people break 14 bolt shafts
I think Detroits themselves are VERY strong, but they can be susceptible to failure from the shock load of axle shaft failure.
I'm probably one of the few to break a Detroit (12 bolt) without breaking a shaft
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
Detroits are very strong too you are correct but are prone to breakage if shockloaded like you said. I only know personally 1 person that broke a shaft in a 14bff and the Detroit went at the same time.
I say minispools and stuff are stronger cause anytime you have a solid chunk of steel vs smaller moving parts and stuff the solid steel will win for strength. I have a Detroit and it will stay there because I don't think I will ever break a shaft in a 14bff with only 37" MTR's.
Harley
I say minispools and stuff are stronger cause anytime you have a solid chunk of steel vs smaller moving parts and stuff the solid steel will win for strength. I have a Detroit and it will stay there because I don't think I will ever break a shaft in a 14bff with only 37" MTR's.
Harley
1BEATK5
1/2 ton status
I have a mini in mine for almost 4 years now, and couldn't be happier. my swampers are pretty quiet, don't really chirp unless on freshly laid asphalt, or smooth concrete.
I also like that the truck drives straighter when on the throttle. with 35" at's on it it goes straight but pulled right bad with the swampers. now it's much better.
i installed valkman's spool a month ago and on the test drive was amazed at how loud his michelin's are, 5 times louder than my tsl's. woops!
I also like that the truck drives straighter when on the throttle. with 35" at's on it it goes straight but pulled right bad with the swampers. now it's much better.
i installed valkman's spool a month ago and on the test drive was amazed at how loud his michelin's are, 5 times louder than my tsl's. woops!
drop the hammer
1/2 ton status
I lived with a full spool in my old F-250, the only time it sucked was trying to pull into a parking lot, or any sharp turns for that matter. I liked knowing when I was off road both rear tires were gonna turn no matter what.
