So if I understand this correctly, people weld the spider gears in their differential. This essentially would be the same as selectable locker permentatly stuck on "on"? Why would anyone want to do that?

 

Cheap locker for a trailered trail rig..Redneck engineering basically...I have known a few people who did this..Me I'd get a locker before I'd weld the rear end..

 

Not the way to go on a DD rig. if done wrong it will destroy a rear end..

 

i wouldn't do it. unless its just a trailer rig

 

I plan on welding my 8.25 29 spl.. no $$

 

One of my buddy's have welded there spiders. no problems for the first couple hundred miles except his tires only lasted about 2 months. Then after he started blowing bare tar donuts it started looking like the rims were bent but it was the axles. haha then KABOOM haha snapped the drivers side rear axle. that was in an 86 ranger with the stock 7.5" and 3.45 gears. it was fun for a while!! spend the money for a real locker. but i did have a friend who blew the spiders in his 10 bolt chevy rear and all he did was weld the pieces back into it.. its still holding together even with his 400hp small block in it pushing 38" swampers. guess it really depends on the welder??