dlucky894runner

Hey guys, I did some searching, but didn't quite find my answer...So, I have my 89 4runner, which is my dd. I commuete about 90 miles round trip on the freeway. I want to know your opinions if I ought to weld my diff on it? I don't do a lot of crawling, just trails every once in awhile. Also, would driving this in the snow with a welded diff cause me any problems?

Thanks,

irab88

iTrader: (4)

my advice: don't do it. i'm open at both diffs, and wheel just fine. if you want a locker in the rear, save your money for a selectable locker (if that's the kind of locker you're going for).

by welding it up, you're putting undue stress on the axles every time you take a turn. and daily-driving it isn't going to be nice. if you wanted to weld up your front, though, go ahead. unless you have a.d.d., that diff will only turn in 4wd, or with the hubs locked.

though, good luck with your off-road endeavors!

dlucky894runner

Thanks... for your input. That is kinda what I'm leaning toward.

JBurt

Welding a DD isn't the best idea. Plus having a locked rear end in the snow is really bad. Especially with all those crazy drivers on I-15.

JDOGG

DON'T DO IT!!! my buddy has a welded diff on his xrunner and he goes through tires like like socks. sure it is fun because you just slide everywhere but 90 miles a day is a lot.

and you can't really do u turns, if you pull into a dead end street you will more then likely make a 3-4 point turn.

son_of_a_lc

You wont feel it on the freeway.

Ive daily driven trucks with front and or rear welded, i prefer the welded rear over any type of luncbox or detroit locker any day.

The reason is its predictable, you know exactly what its going to do every time.

if other people drive your rig very often, specialy the women folk, then maybe dont do it.

But if its just you driving it then i think you will be very happy with the improved offroad performance and the daily driving characteristics are easily delt with.

xxxtreme22r

not something I would do, Unless you want to buy tires once a year.

son_of_a_lc

technically speaking your tire wear should only accelerate about 20-30%

stockwell45

iTrader: (1)

Definitely not. Everytime you make a 90 degree turn, its gonna leave rubber on the pavement. In a DD your gonna be making alot of those in parking lots, intersections, etc. I'd say its more like accelerating tire wear by 50% or more. Please dont do it, you'll regret it in a year.

JonnyBoy

Ok, daily drove my '83 with a welded rear last year, so I'm not just going by what I've heard.
Driving on the freeway mostly, you will notice less of a difference in tire wear than if you drove around town. You will wear them out faster, though.
Driving in snow, it'll help in deeper snow, but if it's packed and slick, you'll put it in 4wd more just so you also have the front pulling you and not just the rear sliding(think sidehill situation).
The difference between a welded and a lunchbox/auto/whatever locker, I can't give you any personal experience on. If you can wait to afford it and install it, I do think you'd be happier with a selectable locker(Elocker, ARB, that new Grizzly one or whatever it's called), though. Unlocking is sometimes an issue with my Elocker in high traction situations(pavement), but it unlocks with relative ease if I do it on the smooth gravel or something before I hit the pavement.
In the long run, a selectable locker could probably pay for itself in tire savings, but it'd probably take awhile.
Good luck whatever you do, but there's my input. Hope it helps.

weaselman

if you dont mind the noise and people starting at you when you pull into a parking spot\parking lot. then do it.. in the snow and rain it makes it easier to drift!

i never noticed that much of an increase in tire wear..

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

If this is your daily driver are you planning on a stock of differentials on hand because it is only a matter of time till this explodes at the worst possible place.

Got a way to work for a day or two while you fix this!!

Then it might not be the differential but the weakest link in the chain that lets go.

Like was said the straight highway driving is not the problem it is all the other errands parking turning etc.

It is your truck if you want by all means go for it.

yotarover

i drove a spooled truck the other day man let me tell you. 2wd was beyond fun hell it went where mine (open 4.10) wouldn't in 2wd. 4 was the same, i used to drive my grandpa's old dodge work trucks with spools didn't change the rear tires that much.