Well I did it. Went wheeling with a group and I did not want to be partially open.

My thoughts so far?

Should have done it ages ago.

Simple, pretty stout.

Drives much better than I thought.

Now I am locked front and rear on a DD.

I am certain in rain and snow it will be scary.

I make an effort to take wide turns.

But with decent suspension. It will go about anywhere, and that I like.



Overall for the normal wheeler. OPen open will take you 90% of the places. I still think open is more than enough with good working suspension. And you have a lot better chance of not breaking.

But for those who want more. And are willing to put up with the side effects. Fully locked is the way to go for insane terrain.

Was always scared to weld, even though I knew tons of people do it.

Now I am one.

Just a first review of a welded and locked xj daily driver,

oh yea. The negatives.

1. Is more prone to break parts.
2. much harder steering, less turning ability
3. More prone slide rather than holding a line.
4. Tire wear
5. Should make wide turns

Post pics of your rear tires after a few thousand miles of daily driving

If I didn't care about tire wear I'd totally weld mine

I agree. I think there will be a huge impact on tire wear.

I am not telling anyone to do this on their DD unless they don't care about the things I listed.

And just because in most groups the majority of people are not fully locked. Open wheelers are quite capable for certain.

So definitely consider the negatives.

That is why I am not posting some videos I made today. Holy crap it was amazing!! LOL

what if we ask nicely?

LOL. Nope. You know how crappy vids show difficulty. I would get a bunch of..,."that looks easy" comments.

Your gonna hate it after awhile. After my experience I wished I used a locker instead.

Didn't you once start a thread claiming lockers were not needed?

Was that using the brakes to transfer power to the wheel with traction?

Hold on! I gotta unadjust one drum to get up this hill!

Yep. And I still hold to that. Lockers are not needed for the majority.

That thread that got totally hijacked stated that you did not need lockers to go places and have fun wheeling. That good suspension was more important than lockers. And I have not changed my opinion on the matter.

FWIW, tire wear hasn't been bad on mine. I drive mine every day, with a welded rear on 33's. Sharp turns aren't really much more difficult either, and I don't even have power steering.

Lot of axle shaft twisting on paved roads though..

Hahaha

It's cool for a while, but it gets old. And if those welds don't hold.. well..

Lol! ^