to weld or not to weld

95zjgc

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Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Location
archdale
well we all know April 1st is coming fast and well i have my trail rig 88 xj 5" of lift on 33's when i bought it someone already welded the rear now this thing see's NO road use at all and after this wheeling season im going to swap in full width axles anyways now should i or should i not weld the front axle how bad will my turning be or should i just wait for full widths and lockers
 
Not a Jeep guy, but does that have the axle disconnect deal? Cause dude I worked with before..actually he's on here TODBLDS or somthing, had his YJ welded in the front and with the posi-lock cable system he installed, it worked awesome, kinda like a selectable locker.

Hopfully more Jeep-axle knowledgeable people will chime in here, but I figured I'd get the ball rolling with a vote for yes, and see if someone who knows better can tell you why you shouldnt.
 
88XJ should have the disconnect D30 up front. What 72Rockcruier says makes sense, but you'd have to get eh posi-lock in before April 1. I wouldnt want to wheel a welded front without some way to unlock one side (lockout hubs or a posilock cable)
 
that make sense and its a 88 but i went out and looked at it and there is no vac lines or anything on the dana 30 just a breather hose
 
guess youd have to be in 2wd to turn, dunno what kind of wheelin you do but if your on really rough terrain itll be a PAIN to have to keep switching into 2wd every time you wanna turn. IDK much bout welding diffs, BUT if it acts like a locker then you should be fine! Only reason i say that is i know there is a difference between a locker and a spool and i know a locker gives a little and a spool doesnt, so im assuming if you weld the front itll act more like a spool and less like a locker (people please correct me if i am wrong) but in that case youd just have to keep disengaing 4wd to turn.....

sorry if that makes no sence, im cold, wet and have been takin pics all day! lol brain isnt workin too good!
 
pgaloustian said:
guess youd have to be in 2wd to turn, dunno what kind of wheelin you do but if your on really rough terrain itll be a PAIN to have to keep switching into 2wd every time you wanna turn.
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Being in 2wd is not gonna help you turn welded. The axles are still solid connected in the center whether your in 2 or 4wd. You cannot turn unless you unlock a hub, which you don't have(I assume you have not added locking hubs). A locker will unlock in 2wd b/c there is no power going to it.
 
95zjgc said:
that make sense and its a 88 but i went out and looked at it and there is no vac lines or anything on the dana 30 just a breather hose
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Did you check the passenger side axle tube to see if it had the diaphragm with vac lines? My old '88 XJ had it.
 
ray van yeah man i checked i didnt see anything its smooth like the 92+ is there a vin id number somewhere on it i can check
 
95zjgc said:
ray van yeah man i checked i didnt see anything its smooth like the 92+ is there a vin id number somewhere on it i can check
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No, somebody before you probably swapped in a non-disco axle. So, my vote is don't weld.
 
now guys turning is easy with it welded, you're just going to drag the inner or over spin the outer tire EVERY TIME you turn, 2 or 4wd wont make a difference. so if you mud go for it, if you like to climb over shit don't cause you won't have traction
 
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