I'm thinking of just welding my spider gears up in my 8.25 instead of spending my limited money on a locker. My XJ is my trail rig (I go wheel something at least once a week) but it's also my daily commuter for about the next two months (120 miles round trip, mostly highway). Im currently running 31x10.50 Cooper STT tires, great traction. Anyone ever weld one of these up successfully and have it last for a decent amount of miles time? If so got any pics or advice? I have two other running XJ's I could steal another axle from if need be.

 

Not saying it can't be done, but I've never heard anything good about street manners on a set of welded spider gears. Like I said will it tear something up the first day probably not but I think your gonna be looking at extra tire wear an a risk to the u joints an shafts (maybe not as bad on a 8.25). Think of it this way, if u had a lunch box locker it wouldn't be guaranteed to be locked up 100% time going around a corner. It may lock up if u really get on it or u are fast into the corner but under a light foot it probably won't lock. If u weld them up it's locked no matter what especially driving 120 miles round trip (a day or week?) either way don't see it working out well for you but in the end it's your call nobody elses

 

I recently did this to my 8.25 although it is awesome In the woods I would wait until your jeep is not your daily driver unless you like hearing your tires chirp just about every time you make low speed turns. I havnt put too much road miles on my jeep since but I wouldn't recommend it for a dd.

 

Got my spider gears welded up on my 98 with a 8.25. Its been like that for almost 2 years now with no problems at all. I DD it everyday. Im running BFG A/T 33 12.50's. Only down side is the tires barking when turning on pavement..

 

^^^^ see it can be done. Like I said I think this is gonna be one of those things u get mixed reviews on. Everyone I've ever personally known has never been happy with it.

 

I used to just spool everything. I decided to pu am Aussie in my jeep this time. I definitely think it's worth the money and am very glad I decided on this route.

 

The only downside is it will eat up your tires on pavement. Hope your a good welder

 

It may just be my phone cuz the pic is kind of dark, but that looks like a d35.

Is it flat bottomed?

 

x2 that definitely looks like a 35 in the pic...but could be a bad camera angle...I would definitely figure that out before considering welding it...cuz dana 35 welded on street

 

I was thinking that, Its either a d35 or a shaved 8.25

 

Yea I didn't even look at the pic close but it looks like a 35. I did the same thing when I first bought my jeep. Got home looked at it in the dark thought it was an 8.25. Jacked up the rear spun the tires an it had an LSD. Probability being higher of having an 8.25 LSD than a 35 LSD. I thought oh it's gotta be an 8.25. I've hardly looked at it again for 2 months till just a couple weeks ago an I was like SOB it's a 35. Atleast 10 people have crawled around with me under that jeep since I bought it an not one person noticed the difference. Now I gotta steal the 8.25 out the back of my wifes 2wd lmao. Not down with 35s on a 35.

Seriously tho to the op. Welded spider gears on an 8.25 is iffy enough for a dd. On a 35 I can't even tell u in good conscious to make a judgement call. Put a lunch box locker in there or go to the jy an find a 8.25 to bolt in there. Sorry for the bad news man but I feel your pain after experiencing this a couple weeks ago.

 

The cover itself looks like a d35

 

To the o.p.

I have a lockright locker ill sell you for a d35

 

X3

i've wheeled with guys with welded rear ends. one of them even had a dana 35(on 31's) they all did well. no problems so far.

 

I just looked at this again, when I posted i was on my i-phone. Im glad others caught it, but yeah, thats a d35.