Welded diff / spool

[BC Moto]

Just looking to see if anyone is running a welded diff or a spool full time in the rear of their jeep. I recently found a dana44 out of another tj and im about to put new chromo axles in it but it does not have a locker. I kinda of want to keep it cheap since I would like to upgrade the axles ( F&R) next year. Or should I just go wheelin with open diffs?

 

[rasband]

Or should I just go wheelin with open diffs?

I'd just wheel open diffs or get a cheaper auto locker, or just wait for the upgraded axles.

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

Don't go spool. The previous owner of mine put in a spool to get a locker on the cheap. Yes, off road it's amazing. on road however it's chirping tires around every corner & chewing up the tires prematurely. I'm currently eyeballing a Detroit, but I have to set up the gears if I go that route so I've been dragging my feet

 

[BC Moto]

This isnt my daily driver also if it matters

 

[Steel City 06]

I would skip the shafts and buy a used locker with the cash personally. Dana 44 shafts aren't as prone to breakage as Dana 35 shafts. I'm sure you could find some old Rubicon lockers

 

[Apparition]

I wouldn’t weld it if you plan on replacing it. Run it as is so you can sell it when you upgrade.

 

[someguysjeep]

IIRC, ECGS sells a 30 spline spartan.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Don't go spool. The previous owner of mine put in a spool to get a locker on the cheap. Yes, off road it's amazing. on road however it's chirping tires around every corner & chewing up the tires prematurely. I'm currently eyeballing a Detroit, but I have to set up the gears if I go that route so I've been dragging my feet

No need for a gear setup after a carrier/case change. All it needs is to have the carrier's backlash checked and perhaps adjusted (shimmed) slightly once the new carrier is in. It's a fast easy process.

I loved the Detroit Locker I installed into my previous TJ. Well behaved on the street, awesome offroad!

 

[BC Moto]

Hey all thanks for all the advise but let me be a little more clear on what i meant. The dana44 I purchased is missing axle shaft currently, I am waiting for a set of chromo axles to install so i cant put it under my jeep. Now when I do so I wanted to know if I should spool it or weld the diff. I am asking because I plan on getting a 60 for the rear and 44 for the front hopefully in a yr or so if things go as planned. Sorry if there was any confusion

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The net effect of installing a spool is the same as welding the differential. Which to do depends on your budget and if you're a decent welder or would have to have someone else do it for you.

 

[BC Moto]

I know the effect will be the same but I wanted to know how others like driving with it. Welding it shouldnt be an issue for me.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I know the effect will be the same but I wanted to know how others like driving with it. Welding it shouldnt be an issue for me.

Spools suck big-time on the street. They usually work great offroad but not even there is a spool always the best choice.

 

[Steel City 06]

What about a cheap lunchbox locker?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007N3RW9Y/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The extra you spend on this would probably be recovered on the extra tire tread you'll save over a welded diff or spool

 

[Apparition]

Hey all thanks for all the advise but let me be a little more clear on what i meant. The dana44 I purchased is missing axle shaft currently, I am waiting for a set of chromo axles to install so i cant put it under my jeep. Now when I do so I wanted to know if I should spool it or weld the diff. I am asking because I plan on getting a 60 for the rear and 44 for the front hopefully in a yr or so if things go as planned. Sorry if there was any confusion

What size tires are your goal? If 35's you probably don't need a 60. If 37's you probably don't want a 44.

I'd run the rear diff open and see if it causes you any problems before doing anything.

 

[BC Moto]

Yeah my tire size im looking to be on are 37's

 

[Apparition]

Yeah my tire size im looking to be on are 37's

Then consider 60's F/R. The 44 ball joints are a known weakpoint with 37's.

 

[BC Moto]

Then consider 60's F/R. The 44 ball joints are a known weakpoint with 37's.

Even the dynatrac pro rock44?

 

[AMS417]

Yeah my tire size im looking to be on are 37's

I run 37's with a Grizzy (Detroit) in a Dana 44 with Superior shafts and beat it pretty hard. Should be fine welded or spool for off-road use. If you have a welder with enough amperage to penetrate its a cheap way to lock it. Net result will be the same as a spool. Expect it to fight when you turn corners on hard surfaces. Off-road on soft terrain it'll be less noticeable.

 

[Apparition]

Even the dynatrac pro rock44?

There are no known BJ's for the 44 that last, from my understanding.

I have a Rockjock 44 front and a Rockjock 60 rear and I'm sticking to 35's on it.

 

[AMS417]

There are no known BJ's for the 44 that last, from my understanding.

I have a Rockjock 44 front and a Rockjock 60 rear and I'm sticking to 35's on it.

I have these, so far they are holding up. Not a lot of road miles though and not cheap.

https://rareparts.com/dual-load-carrying-ball-joints
Going Dana 60 / 14B or Sterling in the future with a stretch and 40's. Looking for housing to build now.