Some say yay, some say nay. It's a matter of preff in my op. Btw, your runner looks mean in your avt picture!

 

alright i'll look into them if i come to that and make my decision. thanks dude, thats my favortie picture i have of it. courtesy of tellico tn/nc and photographer emily! haha

 

just buy the lo9ckright now for 200 then when you regear you can reuse it

 

the lockright will work with any gearing?! that was the main reason i was going to weld it because i thought lockers only worked with certain gears.

 

I wouldn't weld it. My buddy welded his rear dif, and thats his daily, I hate how it drives absolutely hate it. He doesn't mind 'so he says' but dunno how much truth there is to that haha

Regearing doesn't really have a whole lot to do with a locker... If you plan to use a lunchbox locker, then you really don't want to weld (waste that perfectly fine carrier you got). Or if you plan to do a full differential swap (ie, Detroit, ARB, E-locker) then go for it.

$189 For a Spool from Marlin Crawler > http://marlincrawler.com/differentia...r/spool-locker

They range from like 125 and up. And are a carrier replacement. (strong) and you'd be able to use your current carrier for a lunchbox locker when you 're-gear' .. lunchbox lockers are lockrights, powertrax, aussie, detroit softlocker etc

up to you

but i wouldnt weld it.

I pulled apart a front dif I got with a donor frame that was welded, all the dudes welds were broken. I had a friend roll a fullsize Chevy on the freeway when his rear end locked up from broken welds.

so ya... thats my $.02 =)

 

heres a good method for welding her up (if you go that route),

get a couple extra spider gears from a spare 3rd or something, and weld those in there.
it locks everything in good, and gives s nice area for welds.

 

No you're mistaken. You can throw in a lunchbox locker in without touching your gears. Those lockers replace the spider gears in teh differential (carrier). Depending on if you have a V6 carrier or 4cyl, dif locker versions for both but neither regardless effects your gears.

Even if you do a full Differential replacement (carrier replacement) like a Detroit Auto Locker or a E-locker, ARB etc, Spool, you still don't mess with the gears, you just remove the ring gear and replace it on the new dif, I've yet to see one need pinion adjusting. The full carrier replacement style lockers are stronger ofcourse which is why they cost more and are more desireable... but they're made to OEM dimensions so they dont move the ring gear.

I installed a Detroit Truetrac in my rear third, I was worried I might need to reset the pinion but didn't. You just have to set backlash which for some can be difficult =) You need a dial indicator and a proper tool (homemade) to adjust the carrier nuts, they're weird.. www.gearinstalls.com Zuks site, check it out for information

You're plans to re-gear won't effect whatever locker you decide to put in there. Weld, Spool, AutoLocker etc.

 

I'm probably getting a bid redundant here but most folks throw in lunchbox lockers becuase they're extremely simple to install and you don't mess with the ring gear at all (ie reseting backlash) and is almost fool proof.

plus they're relatively cheap.

 

your $.02 is noted ha. thanks man. i'll look into that spool. after reading all of these posts... probably not going to do the weld.

 

Peace of mind for $200 isn't a bad price! Good luck with the install man!

 

yes welding the diff is not out the window. i'm glad i made this thread, y'all have helped a lot and many thanks! i'm going to look into the spool and some lunchbox lockers asap. i feel much better about this now!

 

actually the backlash needs reset!

the reason there "easier" than a full carrier style locker is because they don't require you to mess with the pinion depth!

 

just my opinion but i think people that have bad experiences with welds just didnt do it the way i did mine (dont mean to sound cocky) the mild steel in there really seals the deal. anyways i would say weld it but if you want the peace of mind, spool it and sell the spool later.

 

well i talked to my buddy at the fab shop and he hasn't done it before so i'm not really confident in the welding process. but algranger thanks for all the photos, i probably am going to spool it and sell it later. thanks guys

 

that spool is looking mighty fine right now. is there any reviews on it anywhere or anybody on here have on installed who can testify for it? anything is helpful. thanks again yall

 

I don't have min installed yet, but here are a few from Zuks site...

http://www.gearinstalls.com/damen.htm
http://www.gearinstalls.com/justin100.htm
http://www.gearinstalls.com/kyron.htm

I would suggest that if you have any more questions ask Zuk..

Hope this helps....

 

So, I'm really putting some thought into welding up my rear 85 DD. First, I don't plan on keeping it forever. I have an 86 4runner that is my keeper and the receiver of the front axle whenever the 85 dies. My question is about the handling characteristics? High speed corners? Lane changes? I've heard corners make the tires chirp, but think it would be great for driving on ice most the year.