opinions?

I drive my jeep less than an hour to the trails and and back every other weekend so I'm not too worried about crazy tire wear from welding the diff. chrysler 8.25 if that changes anything

 

not bad. far from good. tire wear can become drastic if you daily drive.
my spool really worries me when driving in wet conditions. I'd be afraid to try it on a snowy freeway
but still, it works

 

What tire size? What year/spline count? Many people run welded diffs without issue.

 

You could just do a lunchbox locker for like $250

 

Luckily I live on the coast of central California where it doesn't rain or snow. I also don't dd the jeep

tires measure to 31s. jeep is a 99 and it's a 29 spine. I like to hear that.

I've got a buddy who can do it for cheap, plus if i don't like it spider gears are ~$100

 

I say go for it then.

 

just rear? I'm also contemplating doing front and rear. Is the front affected by welding it even with 4wd disengaged?

 

Yes. The front will be locked all the time. Definitely don't weld the front. Just get a lokka locker for $200 I'll even post a link. Then it will only be locked in 4wd.

 

http://lokka.com/site/

$198 shipped to your door.

 

I've been DD'ing my trail toy for 2 1/2 months with no issues. BTW, you can get the spider gears for less at a JY. If there are no issues with your current SG's, I'd use the JY spiders to weld up & keep the ones you have now, just in case.

 

To be really strong, you should weld the spiders to the spiders & the spiders to the carrier.

 

Yes weld the spiders to the carrier. Mine was on 33's and a daily for a year with no problems. Now it's on 36's and just a toy with no problems. There is very little weld in my carrier. Just a few key points that are welded.

I actually love it on snowy roads here in ohio. As long as you know what you are driving you should never have a problem.

 

I live in the suburbs of California. the elements scare the **** out of me regardless .!....!.

 

I think i'm going to have the spiders welded together then get a lokka up front eventually. I'm only running 31s and nothing crazy trails-wise, plus I don't really want to have to take the entire carrier out. I'm not too worried about compromising strength

 

If you grind a single tooth up front you can put the locker in with the carrier still installed. However, I always opt for taking the carrier out. Just mark where the ring gear goes and you don't have to set anything up.