Topic: Weld it or buy a locker

[Kyle20r4spd]

So I'm debating whether to weld my diff or buy a spartan style drop in locker. I want to something to do while i still hunt down a tranny. I did some searching on the forum but most of the threads contain people with 35" or bigger tires I only have 33's so would the smaller tires wear faster than the bigger tires if i welded it up, it does get driven on the pavement quite often but the trips aren't very far. So should i save my money for a locker or weld it???

[Wainiha]

I would go locker if I was ever going to have the money.

Any friends that are welded?  Maybe you could sample theirs and get a feeling for what it would be like.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

nobody has a welded diff at school but my dad's jeep has a detroit in the rear and 35" swampers and it is quite the vehicle to drive especially around corners when the locker is engaging and disengaging  the whole time, would the welded rear be worse or the same?

[Wainiha]

I would be scared of rain and ice driving.  Offroad great.  Also a parking lot might be interesting.  Either chirping tires or multi-point turns.

It would act more consistent than a detroit, but that doesn't mean better.  If this wasn't a DD I would go cheap and weld.

I have an elocker in my Tacoma.  If it was an open diff.  I would not weld mine as a DD.  I know people who do though.  Maybe if you score a cheap spare diff. then you do it and switch back if it sucked?

[Nimyad]

I'm running a grizzly in the rear of my truck and it's been fine, a truck is light in the back so the wear is minimal. It's also not bad on the street and it's quieter than a lunchbox locker. Look in the classified on here and pirate4x4 to score something cheap.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

Will do, I kind of figured that welding it would not be good but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[jimbo74]

really depends on who you ask, some people trip out about a welded gearset, some people love it.......

it is just fine in my opinion if it is welded up properly

if it isn't, it will work for awhile, then take out the entire axle wth it.....

[Nimyad]

It definitely does depend on who you ask. But make it simple and say the diff is welded correctly so it's not goin to break, do you want to deal with a larger turning radius, decreased tire life, increased suspension wear, harder steering, etc. Or do you want to deal with something that, if you learn how, won't do any of those things (to a point of course).

The only upside of a welded diff over an auto locker is predictability, IMO.

[Rocksurfer]

I've run both welded and Detroit's in various rigs I've owned, I've answered this issue several times over and both have multiple differences and similarities. As to a detroit you always have the issue of it unloading at various times that a welded diff won't do. With a welded diff you know what to expect at all times a little tire chirp in the corners. Never have I had an issue in wet weather with a welded diff but have been tossed around a few times unexpectedly with a Detroit. I've also had several of the other Detroit-like lockers and they all were similar to the Detroit. Tire wear never was an issue in any welded rig I've run so as far as I'm concerned it is a non-issue, have run up to 35's welded with no breakage. When I do put something in my current rig it will probably be a welded diff, quick, easy and cheap. 

[GRW]

Another thing to consider is your driving habits.
If you are heavy on the skinny pedal you may not like the “lunch box” lockers.
They can ted to have bad manners on the street with a heavy foot.
If you drive semi mellow you will have a lot less issues on the street.
With a welded rear at least you know what it is going to do.
I have not owned a rig with a welded diff, but a variety of other lockers.
ARB, E-Locker, EZ, Lockright, limited slip, and open.
With Toyota if you take your time you can find an E-locker for a decent price, rebuild/gear, mod you housing and install. So far I rank them right up there with the ARB (the reaction time when you hit the switch is a second or two slower).

I prefer the ARB/E-Locker (selectable) 

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

I could just buy a spool that way if i don't like the feel of it being locked 100% of the time it can be easily removed plus spools aren't that expensive.

[BigMike]

I could just buy a spool

Or get one for free if you also need to fresh'n up the diff: http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=94221

BigMike

[H8PVMNT]

We have ran welded, detroits and luchbox lockers in the rear.  All were just fine but overall we like the feel of a welded diff or spool the most.  Less noise and more predictable handling than automatic lockers. I run welded diffs on my 4runner and an '80 pickup I drive for a work truck and both get lots of daily driving in rain and ice with no problems at all. You will wear out rear tires a bit faster but not enough to sweat it unless you are hot doggin' every around town corner you take. I guess the only real downside is the chirping tires in low speed parking lot situations.  Everyone gets mad at you and seems to think you are peeling out even if you are at 500 rpms and 1/2 mile per hour...

In the front I really like a detroit or decent lunchbox locker, the aussie locker is my personal favorite, welded diffs do suck in the front end and are hard to turn and feel hard on stuff.

I guess a selectable would be nice but I still don't like the idea of a locker than can turn off.  I've seen a few guys have them turn off due to a messed up air line or whatever and not be able to turn back on at the worst possible point.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

I'll probably will just buy a spool that way i dont have to worry about the welds, and so i can swap it back easily. I dont really care if the chirping attracts attention i already attract attention with a 4inch stainless exhaust tip dumping out the side.

[tyes]

This subject has been discussed many times on many forums before and it comes down to what your rig is built for... DD or full blown trail rig... I run ARB front and rear and DD my every day with 35's.. no chirping or wear or tear on tires..

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

It is a mix between a trail rig and DD I am just going to spool it, i don't have the money to spend on a selectable locker. And i don't want to deal with welding it, the spool seems like a logical choice it also doesn't sound to bad for the on road characteristics, as long as I'm not trying to show off to much

[toyodaaddict]

It is a mix between a trail rig and DD I am just going to spool it, i don't have the money to spend on a selectable locker. And i don't want to deal with welding it, the spool seems like a logical choice it also doesn't sound to bad for the on road characteristics, as long as I'm not trying to show off to much

I think your making a good choice.  I like spools because they are strong,simple and very effective. iv been running one in the rear of my 80 pickup for about 5 years and have been very happy with it. the truck is not a daily driver but it gets a fair amount of road time. spool in rear ARB up front thats what makes sence to me.

[Snowtoy]

With you new to driving, you may be better off just running an open diff until you have a few more years of on road driving experience in all types of winter driving conditions, before you spool/auto lock the rear.

[Nimyad]

With you new to driving, you may be better off just running an open diff until you have a few more years of on road driving experience in all types of winter driving conditions, before you spool/auto lock the rear.

This is my thought as well, you learn so much driving on and off road with open diffs. It makes you a much better driver in the long run.

[Kyle20r4spd [OP]]

This is true, but I can at least gather the parts i will need to lock the rear, that way when i feel comfortable with driving snowy roads and other weird conditions i can lock it up.

[BadnewsBob]

You can cover a lot of trails with an open diff, I've done it for years because of low cash flow. I have Spartans in my rig now and they work great but most of the guys I ride with run welded diffs in the rear with no real problems.

[Rocksurfer]

Agreed, I'm running open diffs and am almost completely stock just a few inches of lift, it is an excellent way to learn how to pick good lines. Too many people hop in turn key offroad vehicles without really knowing how to use their vehicle properly. Anyone can wheel a built rig, try wheelin' a stocker it gives you a whole different prospective on the art of finesse.... still I love a locker in the back.

Check out my tires completely 100% street rollers.