Welding spider gears?

[Moats31]

Hi I'm thinking about welding my spider gears in my corp 10 bolt front axel. Just looking for some pros and cons. I know that I won't be able to drive down the road with it 4 wheel.

I won't be using the 4 wheel unless I'm off road or pulling other trucks haha.

Or would it just be worth buying a locker for it instead? Looking to save a couple bucks.


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[bucket]

I don't like the idea of a welded front, besides being extremely hard on that poor front diff, it's going to take a lot out of your turning radius. But just the strength factor alone would keep me from doing it.

 

[Moats31]

Would going with a locker be any better tho?


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[bucket]

Should be. There is some amount of give and it should only lock under power, but on the other hand, I've never owned a truck with a locked front. So maybe I'm wrong, lol.

Here's my thoughts (and also why I haven't had a locked front yet) about it. It's a lot of stress that a 10 bolt shouldn't see especially with larger tires, and any road going 4x4 truck should be able to drive around in the winter time with the hubs locked. I don't want to be "that guy" with the big lifted 4x4 that can't even keep it on the road when it snows.

 

[Moats31]

It won't be driven during the winter. But I see what you mean. If I had to I would be able to! We'll if I do go with a locker and it breaks, then I'll start looking for another or a Dana 60 :thumbs up:


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[GreaseDog]

Don't waste your time.

 

[Moats31]

Don't waste your time.

Don't waste my time with what?


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[chengny]

I've never done it - or even seen it done - but by all accounts it works the balls in the woods. Crawls you out of anything.

I know that I won't be able to drive down the road with it 4 wheel.

Well, if you go really straight...

Also, you're a young man - you shouldn't be driving on the highway in 4WD anyway. Get your ssa out of the cab and unlock the hubs.

Seriously, if you really do have to make a turn while you are up to your ssa in alligators, temporarily releasing one hub allows a fairly normal turn (if you do the LH one you won't need to walk so far). Even just that "3WD" gets you out of most situations.

 

[bigcountryguy19]

Just give it a try and let us know how it works lol, If it works good I will do it to mine too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Moats31]

Just give it a try and let us know how it works lol, If it works good I will do it to mine too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Will do. If I don't like it I'll just have to get another carrier.


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[dvdswan]

get a selectable locker or leave it alone. I have an ARB in my D44 and locker in the rear and use the front locker only to give the extra grip which is rare.

 

[GreaseDog]

Will do. If I don't like it I'll just have to get another carrier.


83 gmc c10
- 350/a883

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

unless it breaks the carrier, or the center pin or c clip gets welded in the mix, then you're in for a whole axle.

 

[MonsterZ]

I've run all three up front in both a Dana 44 and in a dana 35, LSD, locker, and spool. Personally I like an LSD, like the Tru-Trac, very aggressive off-road but not intolerable on snow and ice. Lockers are great off road but they are noisy and do add some; honestly a little too much for most wheelers. Spools, especially welded gears, are pretty much useless off road unless you plan on going only in a straight line for the most part, like mud drags. I would tell you it's honestly worth saving the coin and doing it right the first time and getting what works best for your driving style. I'm putting another limited slip up front in my 10 bolt in my suburban and I have no fear of my axle being able to handle it and the motor and larger tires, they're much tougher than most will give them credit for.