samiam

It’s not a DD, I’ve been around 4x4s all my life and know the driving characteristics are not goin be a problem, I’m goin do a gear change later on so no worries of messin up the current set up of 3.07s, and have no problems with a little wheel chirp or noise when turning sharp on blacktop.

Opinions please...

Tbone289

The only drawback I can think of for a true off-roader is slick side-hill surfaces. A welded (or locked) axle will cause a lot of sideways movement in these cases. A friend of mine with a welded rear has a heck of a time in wet grass on side-hills, and with a welded rear end, he's sideways will little forward momentum and I easily drive right past him with an unlocked rear axle. However, I don't believe an auto locker would be any better than the lincoln locker in this case, because there wouldn't be enough available traction to unlock it.

I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for since, like you said, you are familiar with the driving characteristics, but that's my measly $.02.

SexyDexy

If have you a 8.25 or d44, then it's a possible consideration, but if you have the d35 you will most likely twist-bang-pop axle shafts.

Martlor13

So you're going to change the gears later? Idk i would go with the gears you want right away while you install the locker. Don't do it twice.

Tbone289

This is a great point, and somewhat depends also on what type of wheelin' you're doing... If you're in mostly mud and slick stuff, you'll be OK with 33's and a D35, but I wouldn't recommend any high-traction crawling.

00t444e

Go ahead and weld it. If it is a Dana 35 it will probably break any way and if you want cheap traction that is the way to go, no need to put a bunch of money into a Dana 35. If it is a Chrysler 8.25 it would be ok but you would be better off putting a lunchbox locker in and you can still use it when you do the gear swap.

00t444e

You can get a Spartan locker for the 8.25 for around $300.

samiam

It’s an 8 1/4. Yeah I would love to do the gear swap and go with a good locker but that is a ways down the road. And I have been around the limited slip junk that I know helps but I am definitely not goin that route when I do the gear change so it would be wasted money I think, no offense to those runnin a lunch box.

I’ve got a long ways to go before I’m ready to wheel it seriously but enjoy goin on moderate trails with the mods I have and think there is nothin to lose with welding it up.

00t444e

A lunchbox locker is a full locker I only recommended one because you can easily install it in your open carrier now and when you do the gear swap you can still use the same locker and carrier. If you weld your carrier up now you will have to get a new carrier when you want to regear and put a locker in the rear.

Big David

Mine in welded & I absolutely love it. I tow it to the trails & only drive it 1/3 to the store for gas. The only thing I find irritating is the chirping at the gas station.
Be really careful when you weld it. I bought it welded. It eventually broke to "use".