Front D30?
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1995 ZJ 4.0
Front D30?
OK I know I need to stop being a tight wad BUT how many guys have their front D30's with the spider gears welded up to make it a locker? I know I would not do this in the rear so as to drive it on the street(my opinion that it sucks) but the front sounds like it may be a good option. I don't know I have never done either, I have been in a wrangler with the rear welded and I would not do it to mine,but the front you only really use in off-road/bad whether conditions anyway right? You guys tell me? Or just the crap out of me whatever!
Last edited by bigbadxj; 04-27-2009 at 03:02 PM.
#3
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
#5
CF Veteran
Big Bad
There is a trick some of us old dogs used to use. Instead of welding the side gears to the case etc. just fill in one of the valleys between the teeth on one side gear. It will not then run like a spool. If you have a spool in the front, it won't steer worth beans. But welding just one valley still allows about 1.5 wheel rotations before locking and will generally allow you to steer while sitting still. You can't use any set up like this with out a front axle disconnect or locking hubs. With this method, your disconnect will still be able to unlock just by turning the steering wheel back and forth.
There is a trick some of us old dogs used to use. Instead of welding the side gears to the case etc. just fill in one of the valleys between the teeth on one side gear. It will not then run like a spool. If you have a spool in the front, it won't steer worth beans. But welding just one valley still allows about 1.5 wheel rotations before locking and will generally allow you to steer while sitting still. You can't use any set up like this with out a front axle disconnect or locking hubs. With this method, your disconnect will still be able to unlock just by turning the steering wheel back and forth.
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oak Harbor, WA.
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
Big bad, What happens in an XJ like your 92 that doesn't have a disco or manual lock out hubs when you weld it up is whether you have 2WD or 4WD selected inside, both front wheels will be perminently locked together. So, you can do the math in your head and see what would happen to you when driving on the street.
Trending Topics
#9
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: socal
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
OK I know I need to stop being a tight wad BUT how many guys have their front D30's with the spider gears welded up to make it a locker? I know I would not do this in the rear so as to drive it on the street(my opinion that it sucks) but the front sounds like it may be a good option. I don't know I have never done either, I have been in a wrangler with the rear welded and I would not do it to mine,but the front you only really use in off-road/bad whether conditions anyway right? You guys tell me? Or just the crap out of me whatever!
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oak Harbor, WA.
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
Bigbad, It's all good, Bro. no "one" knows it all. "Together" we know it all. We're just showing the love. Some just do it in a much more hillarious way than others.
#13
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: socal
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
just never weld any parts on a front end with out unlocking hubs and you will be OK dude that paper bag smiley is freaking hilarious where did you get it
#14
As mentioned you wouldn't want to do this unless you either have manual hubs or a CAD axle. I wouldn't be too worried about stuff breaking because it's really no different than putting a locker in there - what I'd worry about is steering
#15
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oak Harbor, WA.
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
Yeah, steering that thing that way on an icey road would be better than any ride 6 Flaggs has ever come up with...