welding the dif
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 381
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From: NW Oregon
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 High Outout I6
welding the dif
ok i am just gettin started on my 95 cherokee sport... i know that before anything else i want to lock it up front and rear. I would like air lockers but they are expensive and so is every other kind of locker im finding
so my other option is welding em up... i wanna know what you experienced guys know about this and how much it would affect my rig bein a dd
so my other option is welding em up... i wanna know what you experienced guys know about this and how much it would affect my rig bein a dd
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 279
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From: sarasota Fl
Year: 91
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.9
You dont want to do this to a daily driver. It will cause tires to wear very quickly and if you do it on the front it will cause big problems on the road.Also if the weld dosnt hold wich there is a good chance of if you are driving on the street you have chunks of metal floating in your diff and there go your gears. Its only ok for strictly off road rigs because the dirt will allow the tires to slip instead of the diff,and even then it is questionable. I would strongly suggest spending the money for the lockers if it is to remain a daily driver.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 811
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Model: Cherokee
You dont want to do this to a daily driver. It will cause tires to wear very quickly and if you do it on the front it will cause big problems on the road.Also if the weld dosnt hold wich there is a good chance of if you are driving on the street you have chunks of metal floating in your diff and there go your gears. Its only ok for strictly off road rigs because the dirt will allow the tires to slip instead of the diff,and even then it is questionable. I would strongly suggest spending the money for the lockers if it is to remain a daily driver.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 30
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
plus if you get a welder that doesnt know wut the hell he is doing he will mess up your axle...the diff is cast steal and the tubes are mild steel, welding two different metals together with different cooling rates will cause it to crack and/or just plain out melt the cast steal
Dude, you have NOT A CLUE 'bout what you are spouting out.
Do a search to learn what the OP is talking about..
WOW, some peoples kids....
MO
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
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Model: Cherokee
plus if you get a welder that doesnt know wut the hell he is doing he will mess up your axle...the diff is cast steal and the tubes are mild steel, welding two different metals together with different cooling rates will cause it to crack and/or just plain out melt the cast steal
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CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
I agree. Welding spider gears comes up all the time. As Frank is prone to say, do some research on this forum. There are dozens of threads on this and they all say the same thing. Another good point is that if you haven't got the faintest idea of what is involved, you shouldn't do it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,291
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From: Manahawkin New Jersey
Year: 96'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 160k banks header dumping after the cat
hey frankz is this what inspired your "wall of shame" idea?? just wondering lol and i can guess what your first post would be
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
One more point. There is a post here that the author meant well, but had no knowledge of what is involved. Let us all remain silent unless we actually know what we are talking about.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 17
Model: Cherokee
Welding the spider and side gears is effective but not a good idea on a DD. With the axles locked the wheel on the inside of a turn will be forced to turn at the same speed as the outside tire. This will lead to excessive tire wear.
Welding the front will place a tremendous strain on the axleshafts and u-joints. Steering in a tight turn will be difficult at best.
I agree that selectable lockers are expensive. Have you considered a lunchbox locker?
Welding the front will place a tremendous strain on the axleshafts and u-joints. Steering in a tight turn will be difficult at best.
I agree that selectable lockers are expensive. Have you considered a lunchbox locker?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: AK
Year: '00wj, '90mj, '87mj, '86mj trailer
Engine: 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, none
just curious and tell me if im wrong. if ive got a cad axle(that works) and i weld the spiders does this solve the above mentioned issues?(assuming im in 2wd on any hard surfaces)
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
If you can get it to disconnect, yes although it will pull a little to the driver side. But it is still a really poor idea. It will want to go two directions. Straight forward and straight backward. Off road steering will be nill and trying to change the direction of the wheels without moving significant distances will eventually pull the steering box bolts out of the frame.