Welded or locked?

[HeepofaJeep]

Just a stupid question that has been bothering me. I was just wondering what the difference between a locked differential and a welded differential was, other than price?

What are the advantages to using a locker over welding?

What are the disadvantages to welding instead of forking over the cash for a locker? Thanks in advance!

[Woody Mammoth]

A welded differential would make both of your wheels spin at the same rpm all the time. In a normal pavement driving your left and right wheel is never spins at the same rate except driving in a perfectly straight line. This means you will be burning rubber all the time, and giving your transfer case lots of resistance and friction. Now you can guess what's going to be short lived. This is where the locker comes in. You lock it when you need it offroading or stuck in snow etc.. otherwise leave it unlock.

Hope this helps a bit. My fingers may not be typing what I'm thinking.

[olin18]

The info about a welded diff has been coverered. The wheels spin the same ALL the time. Even when you are coasting. So if you are pulling into a parking spot or any other tight movement you truck will really push.
A locking diff on the other hand will allow some wheel difference. If there is no torque going into the rear diff. Like if you are coasting, or with the clutch in, then the locker will act just like an open diff. So if you pull into a parking space with the clutch in, then your truck won't push, and you tires won't chirp. Welded diffs do not belong on the street, but they work great in a trail only truck.

[HeepofaJeep]

Thanks a lot, that answered my question.

[tuck]

Originally posted by olin18:
. Welded diffs do not belong on the street, but they work great in a trail only truck.welded diffs are okay on the street, tires will probably wear out faster, and you will squeel around every corner. I would rather drive a welded or spooled rear on the street than a rear Detroit. Especially in a short wheelbase... Detroit lane changes are definitely exciting. :D

lockers are different than open differentials, and they're not for everyone, but I would say even welded diffs have their place on the road.

[Smooshy]

I have seen dif cases break on welded difs, I assumed it was from the heat from welding the gears. I like my ARBs smile.gif

[WillyPete]

Originally posted by olin18:
Welded diffs do not belong on the street, sure they do :cool:

get your diff welded by a pro if you're not good enough (i'm not; got mine done at a shop). sure it chirps, sure the tires wear faster, sure it's a ***** to push when you've removed the tranny for seal replacement (stupid, stupid, stupid...), but i like driving with a welded rear. good traction no matter what.

[will e]

The larger your tires the more trouble a welded axle will give you on the street due to the increased resistence.

These guys are talking rear end weld. You really don't want to weld the front end if you are going to drive on the street. I wouldn't recommend it on the trail either, as you turn on a dirt road you WILL loose traction in at least one wheel. This can make turning very exciting!

Also, if you do a lot of snow driving you might find a limited slip more to your liking.

[WillyPete]

so what do you recommend for locking the front? i do a lot of mud and some trails and i've been thinking about welding the front. how would an auburn or maybe a detroit handle? OX and ARB are a bit too expensive... :(

[Stuka]

Detroits arent bad in SJ's at all. Nothing like a CJ.. A lifted CJ withh a detroit is straight up dangerous on the street if you dont give it the respect it needs. But my chero with a detroit isnt bad at all. I do get the torque steer when shifting but not to bad.

[FSJ-Jackson]

If you have full-time 4wd I would definitely go for a limited slip or a selectable locker(ARB, OX, etc.) in the front. But, if you have a part time t-case and locking hubs, go for whatever you want. As for the rear, I have a welded diff with 36's and I have yet to screech a tire around a corner, it only scuffs. I am very happy with the added traction over the open diff and I will be doing it again to my new Dana 60 rear. If you do weld your rear make sure the welds are good, I know someone who did a real bad job of welding his Model 20 axle and the welds broke, but not completely, dropping little chunks of metal into his diff fluid. He didn't know it and drove on it for quite a while. When he went wheeling one day the whole thing blew up and ruined his axle.