Any quick pros & cons on welding my D44 spiders? | Ford Explorer Forums

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Any quick pros & cons on welding my D44 spiders?

greenbeer

Another day, Another dent
Joined
November 6, 2004
Messages
523
Reaction score
3
City, State
Gresham, OR
Year, Model & Trim Level
'97 XLT 5.0
It would save me money, plus it's a trailered rig.
 



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You could buy my etrac, and then give you the ability to not be locked when needed. :D
 






etrac??
 












Like I said, I'm trying to save money. ;)
But thanks anyway. :thumbsup:
 






Bump :D
 






Pros - 100% traction at all times.

Cons - More stress on parts, meaning more chance of breakage. If it sees pavement the slightest bit you'll have trouble turning.

But, if it's trailered only, go for it!
 






not true... there would be very little harm when on pavement as long as the hubs are unlocked. if you think about it a locker... for instance the etrack mentioned above is going to allow very little if any slip when locked. this will do the same thing as welding your spiders... it will be locked up when 4wd is engaged but not when the hubs are unlocked... if i am correct there should be no direct conection to your axle shafts spinning and your tires spinning when the hubs are unlocked... so i say go for it... just keep in mind turning under throttle will be a bit of a *****
 






Thanks guys, I think I will just give it a shot. If don't like it, I can always take it out and put in a locker.
 






how did it turn out, i am thinking of doing the same to mine so let me know, thanks
 






Bryan, after riding with Joe at Elbe, Don't weld them. He ran most of the time with the front unlocked for better turning and locked it when needed. It REALLY made a difference negotiating the trees.

Check his Elbe vid; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147056 There's NO way you would make that first turn with a spool up front.
 






After seeing that, I might just leave it open. Now I just need a couple brackets made and the beast will finally be done!!
 


















how to weld a 44

hey my only tip is to only weld the spider gears together instead of the gears to the carrier. If you weld the carrier to the gears you will weakin the carrier and then it will eventually break just a tip. Sorry i didn't get to you sooner! ;)
 






Go to hydro assist and you wont even notice the front welded. $75 tractor supply ram, tap the box, have some $30 hoses made, bam it turns like its in 2wd.
 






james t said:
Go to hydro assist and you wont even notice the front welded. $75 tractor supply ram, tap the box, have some $30 hoses made, bam it turns like its in 2wd.

I hear that's not very streetable. It sounds like exactly what I need though. Why do you need to tap the box?
 






Full hydro is the one that may not be very streetable- hydro assist is very streetable.

Full hydro- steering box and linkage is replaced with a ram and an orbital valve, just like a forklift

Hydro assist- steering box gets tapped and ram is added on in addition to stock steering components. The ram supplements the steering you already have
 






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