I know when differentials are welded, it locks the tires together making it a pain in the ass to turn and drive and all that yada yada. But someone told me my vehicle(a 90 XJ) has a vaccumm disconnect that literally disconnects my front axle and if it was welded it would only act like that if it was in 4x4, which wouldn't matter since I'd be in a situation where the tires can slip fairly easy anyways. This guy is also full of shit, so I'd like to know if this is bullshit or not. Thanks.

The only side effect of doing that is your front drive shaft will be spinning at all times and there will be a little more drag on the front driver side tire since it will be spinning the ring and pinion at all times. But other than that it will not effect steering in a dramatic way.

Will it affect the reliability of the axle while driving normally, or will I be alright? I've already accepted the fact if I get a locker/weld it might blow while doing some hard offroading because its only a D30, but how about daily driving?

-agree with xtusseryx
I think you will have more drag on one wheel as the axle shaft will be forced to turn the carrier & driveshaft - may affect mileage a little...not sure if you would notice in the handling...

For everyday normal driving it will not affect the axle in any way, like mentioned above your driveshaft will no turn instead of sitting still (sometimes you have to get the front shaft balanced if it vibrates, I didn't have to touch mine).

With the vacuum disconnect you really don't have anything to worry about during normal driving. 30s hold up pretty will to lockers for their size.

Thanks guys. I don't really care about milage or handling, its mostly a trail devoted vehicle.

Also, how does welding it affect and future gear ratio changes?

My dad is letting me put his Dana 60-2 in the rear soon, and I'll obviously have to regear the front.

It doesn't, really. Depending on which carrier you have, a new gear ratio may need a new carrier, which would mean you would need new spiders and such again, as you aren't taking the welded ones out of the old carrier.

Make sure you have some who is an expierenced welder weld that, you don't want chunks of metal floating through your front axle, if it comes apart.

it will drive the same in as it does now except in 4wd. your axle will be fine as long as there is nothing wrong with it now, weld the spider gears, dont weld everything or if/when you break something you wont be able to remove parts. if its mainly a trail only vehicle it will probably hold up unless you do alot of rock crawling with the 30 front. my .02

W elded up my dana 30 in my 89 xj last summer. I have the posi lock cable actuator.
Here is what I've found:
Gas mileage dropped a little (2mpg)
For light stuff, I just put it in 4wd and don't connect the front axle.... with this on a snowy,slippery road it tends to pull right under acceleration and when you back off the gas it pulls to the left. With the posi lock engaged (both front locked) you get no pulling either way. With both front driving I haven't been able to get it stuck this winter and I've really tried.
I have a xj 44 that I'll be welding also before I install it.

Overall I LOVE IT!!!

hope this helps
k

You probably will blow out front shafts more often, you cant turn on dry pave ment in 4 wheel and any whare there is alot of traction. you will increase ware on front drive line. and you will thank your self for the extra traction. mine has been welded for 2 years but its a trailer queen. just watch the tight turns i 4 wheel my $0.02

Alright. The only time it is ever in 4wd is if I think I'm really going to need it, so I should be alright. I don't do much rock crawling but everyonce in a while I will crawl up on a log or something just to make it flex out so I can take pictures, etc.