A bit of a dilemma here. I've got about $250 to spend, and I'm not real sure where to do it. I'm running 37's on the Toy axles, and plan on wheelin' it pretty hard over Thanksgiving. I am pretty easy on the throttle, and have an automatic with 4:1. Here are the options I'm considering:

Get superbirfs, weld the spider gears

Get the lockright, and pray that the stock birfs hold (It's only ONE weekend right?:D)

I might be able to save up for both, but should I go superbirfs or a lockright first?

i'd get the lockright first if youre talkin front end. if not, weld the rear first off. if youre open in the front, you dont need super birfs. if youre thinking of welding the front, you'll also need hydrto assist. if you are talkin bout the rear, weld it for free and lockright the front and carry spare birfs. when you get money, get the longfields...brad

I guess I should have been a bit more clear on that... Rear is already spooled. The front is the one in question here...

Superbirfs first. They'll keep you from braking the front end. The lockright will only cause you to break birfs faster.

With any truck you'll come across something on the trail (open or locked) that you have to be pretty hard on the truck to get up. With the superbirfs you'll have the confidence to gas it and get that little extra bit of momentum an open-front rig requires to crest the hill.

Just remember, with an open front diff, it's all about keeping the front tires on the same plane (un-flexed) as much as possible, and cranking the wheel to get the correct tire to do the pulling. ;)

I'd say get the lock right- my stock birf's lasted really good with front locker and 35-36" swampers. I'm running 38.5's now and am getting a little worried about the front birfs...

superbirfs, that way you wont break birfs from now till the time you getting them hence saving you money and then when you do get the money for the loc rite youll be confident enough to get a better locker and not have to worry about breaking.

I vote for superbirfs too

Mcsoo----those Super-birfs should be a top priority even if you do have the more forgiving automatic tranny. Bring me your 3rd member and I will MIG weld it if you want. Just remember----thumbs out.

Superbirfs are something you MIGHT need/use.
A lockright is something you WILL need/use.


Get the lockright first - it will "go".

Well, Superbirfs ARE the inevitable purchase... What you're NOT anticipating is how little notice a low geared rig will give you before it pops a birf... We're talking 2 seconds here. You get the tire in an undercut, the gear reduction is humming right along, motor's feeling no pain (THANKS low gears! :D), but there's a problem... Your driveline's made a half a revolution and your tire hasn't rotated an inch...

PING!!!
You're on your way to practicing lower elapsed birf replacement times and holding up the trail ride. WooHoo!

You need to go with the Superbirfs and welded front end... It may give you a little grief (you can always unlock one hub if need be), but it will be the strongest setup for the trail ride.

Hey McSoo-

Lock it up first. If you lock it, it will go.

Learn to drive "smart", like not backing up in silly low or hammering it with the wheels at full lock.

Carry spares.

Buy the Super Birf's later.

Lock it up!

lock it first.
a wheeled front would suck without hydro assist
buy the super birfs after you break a stock birf

Weld the front, get the SuperBirfs. Then save up for a better front locker, i.e. Detroit, ARB, Electric, hi pinion. It'll still steer with it welded.

What trails are you running? I vote front lock right. You can prevent broken birfs on most trails with smart driving and a good spotter.

What trails are you running? I vote front lock right. A locker in the front lets you drive smother and that can help you prevent broken birfs on most trails. You also need to drive smart and have a good spotter.

NOT A QUESTION: LOCK IT UP

I vote weld and super birfs if your on a budget. You get the best of both worlds that way. Welded IMO is better than a detroit anyway, busted axle can equal busted detroit.

I don't plan on hitting anything like asylum or anything... It's still gotta be driven to and from trails... I plan on driving it as a daily driver for the most part since I only drive about 50mi/week. I would like to be able to go out and run milder trails like H2H and Axle Alley, and some stuff around Table Mesa without being TOO worried about breaking. I do plan on all pro inners and a lockright in the front when I have the money (probably around christmas, but I want to wheel over thanksgiving weekend)

I'm starting to lean toward getting the superbirfs and welding the front.. When I had the IFS, I had the front welded, and it really wasn't all that bad to steer... I just broke every steering component I had... :(

I'd get the locker first. I have a seriously tight budget, being in high school still, and I consider axle upgrades just something that would be nice someday, not something I need to have right now. I think you'll be more apt to see and appreciate the benifets of a locker right away. If you break a few birfs, oh well. You'll be getting a lot farther and I think having more fun with the locker.

i gotta say no snap right,, go supers then get locker later,
weld it than save to replace with real locker...

Locker first, no question about it...

do you have spare birfs??
if so lock first, if not i'd go the other way...

eather way you get to go wheeling and that's all good!!!

Originally posted by Brandon
Locker first, no question about it...
on the other hand i kinda gotta go with him..
member since 1975, thats cool..
he should know best

i broke 2 inner axles with the super birfs and 38.5's and the lockright didnt break?? i have weird luck?? do you really need the superbirfs if youre not locked up front?? c'mon the choice is easy...

BUT, i wheeled a borrowed 4runner on 38's with a welded front last weekend and the steering wasnt even an issue. his rims where like 4" backspacing....get the SUPERBIRFS:D

If you are gonna weld it - then yeah, the Superbirfs are not a bad choice.


But to buy superbirfs with an open front end - STUPID.


Have you even broken a birfielf yet? :confused: If not - then diefinately get the lockright now then the superbirfs later...

Just get the lockrite and if and if you start breaking birfs you'll have a reason to buy super birfs:)
I'd also carry spare birfs

Originally posted by dspin

I'd also carry spare birfs

That should be a given no matter what route he picks.

i vote lock rite

i have a lock rite in the front and haven't had any problems yet.

although i am running little 33's and i'm not real crazy with the throttle.

and yes i do carry a spare.:D

Originally posted by DRM
If you are gonna weld it - then yeah, the Superbirfs are not a bad choice.


But to buy superbirfs with an open front end - STUPID.


Have you even broken a birfielf yet? :confused: If not - then diefinately get the lockright now then the superbirfs later...

I think I'm gonna weld it, so I think I'll get the superbirfs.. I wouldn't get them with an open front.. Only if I was locked... I haven't broken ANYTHING yet... I've found I don't EVER break when I wheel the driveway without driveshafts... :p hehe

just weld the shit!!!
get supers

JUST DO IT