Hey guys, so on my new toy/campin rig, i was think bout installing manual locking hubs and then welding the front diff for the offroad use. i know how and what to do, but my question is anyone ever run this setup? people complain about not being able to turn real good with the welded diff, but thats why im puttin manual hubs on it, so i dont get that prob on the street. let me know guys.

And if your not gonna say nothin nice, dont reply please, i know some people think its a bad idea to weld a diff. just gotta do it right.

 

Well welding the rear diff is a COMPLETELY different animal then the front... If it was the rear id say go for it.. As for the front I just cant see good things happening.. Even with manual hubs.... I could be wrong though

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-question.html

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...54-kaboom.html

 

If you were going to weld the front diff might i recommend upgrading to a dana 60....the dana 44s, in my opinion, are really weak and id see alot of parts going bad quick.

I just wouldnt want to see you spend a good chunck of change for the manual hubs and have everything break....so id just recommend going to a dana 60 first....it will hold up alot longer than a d44

 

hey man its only 100 bucks for the locking hubs. its a ramcharger not a ram. i still have the d60 but id have to get all new bushings and everything.

as for the front vs rear thing, the rear is lsd where the front is open is why i want to do it.

 

O well thats different....i was thinking a manual locking kit would be like $1000....

Well they way i see it is why not...go for it on welding it if you know how to do it properly....ive just heard that welded front diffs do make it harder to turn and eats tires quicker...but im not sure with manual hubs if it will make the difference....

 

If you want to be able to turn off road with both hubs engaged, don't do it.

 

some people say it kills "tight" turns but not the normal turning..my best bud has both axles welded and he turns just fine. i dont do hardly any tight turning really at all, just normal turns here and there on the trails. i think im gonna do it just wanted to ask. and as far as the back axle, is there any downfall to doing it? i mean its always turnin anyways... and it dont have 4 wheel steering so i mean what would be a downfall?

 

You wont be driving this on the street will you?

 

Everyone here will probably try to talk you out of doing it, and probably rightfully so.... But I wanted to do the same thing with my 2wd.....

If you do it, do it right... And take video's of your off road success/failures!