I have a '97 4 banger TJ. It was rear-ended and the rear axle housing is slightly bent. It isn't bent to the point of requiring an immediate replacement, but I would like to swap in a D44 when I have the $. But, for the mean time, I'm gonna keep it, but I'm going to Colorado this summer, and I would like to have a rear locker. So, I've thought about just welding the spider gears together to give me a locker for the time being until I swap the axle. Will this be OK for a daily driver? Positives? Negatives?

Umm, it's bent....beg, borrow, and steal to get some cash and put in a new rear axle....(what about insurance money?)

i'm already having to beg, borrow, and steal just to get out to CO. Immediate replacement is simply not an option. I bought the Jeep already wrecked and fixed it. I've taken it to 3 seperate mechanics and all 3 have said that the axle would be fine, but I'm using it as the final excuse to eventually upgrade to a D44 :D

I have a straight 35 housing I'd sell you if you were a little bit closer...

yes welded spider gears are fine, it mimicks a spool, and will be better in my opinion than a detroit or something, because its more predictable

Sorry AL I disagree.

DAILY driver and TJ and WELDED do not go in the same sentance.

DO NOT WELD the Rear of A TJ... If you plan on driveing on the road. You will not be able to stear.

The coil springs do not like SPOOL'd rears. It's the same as locking in my ARB in the rear. I cant turn on the road. And neither will you. Unless you put in leaf springs. And I dont think you want to do that.

once again...DO NOT WELD OR SPOOL A TJ REAREND!

Hope I was clear. (nothing personal AL)

Thanks Bert, I didn't know that about the coil springs. :rasta:

Originally posted by Bert
Sorry AL I disagree.

DAILY driver and TJ and WELDED do not go in the same sentance.

DO NOT WELD the Rear of A TJ... If you plan on driveing on the road. You will not be able to stear.

The coil springs do not like SPOOL'd rears. It's the same as locking in my ARB in the rear. I cant turn on the road. And neither will you. Unless you put in leaf springs. And I dont think you want to do that.

once again...DO NOT WELD OR SPOOL A TJ REAREND!

Hope I was clear. (nothing personal AL)

How would welding the REAR affect the steering (front)? Lay off the :beer: & :smokin:

The only thing he'll get is a little tire squeal in corners, big deal.
I think the more important concern is busting C-clips with it welded. Hope you have lil tires.

welding the rear will make the jeep lean severly in the corners if he has a regular lift. (non longarm) I wouldn't weld a 35 anyway because the diff is so weak.
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