Just wonder what everyone's opinion was on welded spiders in snow and ice on the street. My daily driver/offroad rig is looking for some beef in the axle department, but the 14B FF is welded out back. I really have heard some horror stories about Lockers and such in icy conditions. Would it just be worth it to find spider gears and change it back to open? Thanks

On the street with a welded rear end on the ice, you'll be livin up to your screen name;)

ROTFLMAO!!! :p :cool: :) That is a way to describe it huh? LOL

Even in 4 wheel drive huh? Kinda what I was afraid of... Anyone else have thought or opinions?

CaptCrunch, I have some driving with a welded rear in snow and Ice, and what I have seen it was alot more predictable than with a locker. IMHO, you have to take sawzall's opinion with a grain of salt, because look where he lives.. Southern California does not get an awful lot of snow and ice. Oh by the way, I lived in Maine for 25 years and drove trailer truck there so I know a little about snow and ice.

I've never tried it, but I wouldn't think it would be that much worse than a locker or a tight posi. IMO, the Blazer's better weight distribution (over a PU) is in your favor on this one.

Pete

A welded rear is MUCH more predictable than a locker every where (snow, mud, ice, dry conditions, etc). You know it and drive accordingly. I'll NEVER run unwelded or unspooled again.

I say run it. I've driven a on the ice and snow with a lockright in the rear axle and I couldn't see driving in the snow without it. You just have to get used to it! It will get you farther than without, that's for sure.

Squash

Originally posted by Curtis
A welded rear is MUCH more predictable than a locker every where (snow, mud, ice, dry conditions, etc). You know it and drive accordingly. I'll NEVER run unwelded or unspooled again.

What he said......

I've been welded for 9 years and wouldn't have it any other way. If I had an ARB, I can assure you it would be locked when driving on snow and ice!

When it comes to driving in adverse road conditions, you always need to drive with care.
If you’re too heavy on the pedal your going to break traction in the rear and spin no matter what you have in your differential.
When you LOCK your differential, you increase the touchiness of the throttle to break-loose factor.

The advantage that I have found with a welded diff has a CONSANT FEEL to it.
If you feel yourself starting to kick out, just slow down, and turn into the spin.
A few practice spinouts in a parking lot, and you’ll get a hang of it.

With an auto-engaging locker this feel can change on you in a second, and be the one thing that gets you spinning 360s down you favorite highway…

With a selectable locker you can insure that is it either 100% on or 100% off. These are great but are not cheep.

Your only option is open (free), welded (almost free), selectable locker ($$$)
Because there is such a big difference between the price for welded vs selectable, you find a lot of people going with a welded diff.

You have to ascertain if the price of the selectable locker is worth the extra traction you get on road in these conditions???

Unless you have a newer truck that you are going to keep for a while, and money is not so much of an issue, the selectable locker might be a viable option.
If you have a 16 year old Toyota that like to ride hard, it may not

Sounds kinda like a mix vote. Maybe I'll try it and see how I like it if I get that axle. The only other real concern is how it is on the street and that also sounds like an opinion deal. The truck is my daily driver for a while at least so I'd say 75% of the time is just street driving and 25% offroad so I kinda have to lean toward the on road conditions for now :(

You've got a lot better chance of maintaining traction in a turn with an open rear, while driving on ice. With a locker, the inside tire has to break loose to keep up with the outer. I prefer to have it open while on the road. I have an ARB, and I can tell you, having it locked on an icy road is a handful, locker off, no problem. Once I hit the white deep stuff, I lock front and rear.

On ice and packed snow your rear end will be really squirley around corners but if you dont have a locker in the front then in four wheel drive the front will help keep the rear in its place I say go for it

Originally posted by Jimyrigdfj
On ice and packed snow your rear end will be really squirley around corners but if you dont have a locker in the front then in four wheel drive the front will help keep the rear in its place I say go for it

That's kinda what I was thinking. I plan to go to an ARB up front down the road but will always have an open option up front.

I drove around a lot last winter in my '88 Toyota pickup with a welded rear and 34" Swampers. Real predictable, easy to control, and a LOT OF FUN :D