Welding the axles/diff for better traction??

Hello,

I was told by someone that an alternative to air lockers to improve the offroad ability of my 1990 3.9efi, is to have the axle or the diff welded so that all 4 wheels are turning at the same time.

On previous posts, I have questioned the fact that my wheels haven't always got traction and so I get stuck a lot.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it possible? Is there risk associated to damaging the truck?

Many thanks for your time.

out with Suzuki in with disco said:

Hello,

I was told by someone that an alternative to air lockers to improve the offroad ability of my 1990 3.9efi, is to have the axle or the diff welded so that all 4 wheels are turning at the same time.

On previous posts, I have questioned the fact that my wheels haven't always got traction and so I get stuck a lot.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it possible? Is there risk associated to damaging the truck?

Many thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

yes don't do it,you will regret it,if you are that desperate and frustrated,fit diff locks,at least you have the option to put them on and off,the benefits of welding your diff are few,or buy better tyres.

once welded you cant drive it on the road or the wind up will snap yer axel contents at its weakest point.

there must be summit up with yours mate , the classic are world renowned for the best off roaders.

I havnt got mine stuck even when reshaping the earth with my diff covers

thanks guys, I will avoid that then I think!

fett, what are the possibilities of what could be wrong with it? When I originally posted about it back in March time I was certain there was something wrong but have been persuaded its either my driving or that's just how it is. I want to keep the truck and will get it to work but not sure how to find out whats wrong with it

what sort of state is the suspension in? is it sagging? also what tyres(including size) are you using?

out with Suzuki in with disco said:

Hello,

I was told by someone that an alternative to air lockers to improve the offroad ability of my 1990 3.9efi, is to have the axle or the diff welded so that all 4 wheels are turning at the same time.

On previous posts, I have questioned the fact that my wheels haven't always got traction and so I get stuck a lot.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it possible? Is there risk associated to damaging the truck?

Many thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

Not a very sensible idea. Don't speak to the bloke who suggested it again.

wammers said:

Not a very sensible idea. Don't speak to the bloke who suggested it again.

Click to expand...

no do it and make sure you film it and post it on here!!!!Explosing diffs..hhahaha

goonarmy said:

no do it and make sure you film it and post it on here!!!!Explosing diffs..hhahaha

Click to expand...

Yeah it will be fun to see four broken half shafts and two propshafts twisted like sticks of spanish.

where are you mate , can compare it to mine which is prob equally knackered but seems to go well off road even when it had saggy springs

@ fett, I am in Alton, Hants. That would be excellent if you are near to be able to compare. I definitely need someone who knows what they are talking about to help decipher what the story is.

@ GMAN, I have new Insa Turbo Sahara's 235 70 r16. The suspension seems ok if a little low, hence why this weekend I will buy a new set up.

I can't help but wonder if the BW transfer box is the cause of my woes.

I enclose a picture of it in all its glory. Have a look at previous posts for videos of it grounded/stuck with only 2 wheels spinning....

is your transfer box the one with the viscous coupling rather than diff lock?

yes mate it is.

An interesting point to note:

have a look at this link which is a mate of a mate. Go to around 3 mins in the video and the is a rr trying to tackle an obstacle. Note the rear wheels spinning and the front not. Mine does the same thing.

In my mind I thought there was something wrong with it (having come from an SJ413 which would spin no matter what you did with it)

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEe3z09ZQc4"]YouTube - v8 play day[/nomedia]

out with Suzuki in with disco said:

yes mate it is.

An interesting point to note:

have a look at this link which is a mate of a mate. Go to around 3 mins in the video and the is a rr trying to tackle an obstacle. Note the rear wheels spinning and the front not. Mine does the same thing.

In my mind I thought there was something wrong with it (having come from an SJ413 which would spin no matter what you did with it)

YouTube - v8 play day

Click to expand...

If that is what is happening it looks a though your viscous coupling has failed not in the normal seized mode, but in a no drive mode. The rear wheels should not be able to spin on their own, the viscous coupling should lockup and stop that from happening. It has failed and there is no drive to the front wheels.

In the video, one of the front wheel was spinning. Remember that you'll get stuck if at least one of the front tires and one of the rear spins with no traction. The only way you can consider to weld the diff is IF you only use your RR off road and only weld the rear. If you weld the diff and take to the street every time you turn you'll be destroying the tires just as the racing karts.

the best option for a locked diff is either an ARB air locker or a KAM locker

Yes. Too bad that they are very expensive and if you have the same diff as mine have, I recommend putting them on another diff cause you have to cut the rear of the diff to accommodate the locker. Take a look at the video on ARB