is it possible to weld the front spider gears in a 91 ifs 4x4?

914x4jimmy · 03-25-2004, 01:20 AM

i blew up something in my diff and got a new used from from a wrecking yard, i was wondering if anyone else has welded there front spider gears? i think i'm gonna try anyways, i have a friend who does really good work, but he said some diffs have week metal and will not hold up welded

adam728 · 03-25-2004, 09:42 AM

Welded differential on an already weak unit = BAD

If you managed to break a diff running with an open front then a welded one would last you about a day. The forces acting on everything in there become much, much greater, since you can get into situations not possible with an open diff. Say you cram a tire into a very tight hole or against a rock or stump. With an open diff the other side would simply begin to slip as power was applied. Welded up you'll force that tire that's wedged in place to try turning.
Plus a welded front is horrible for turning. I know a guy running one on a Bronco II, he only locks his hubs when he really really really needs 4 wheel drive. Sometimes he'll just run 1 hub locked, but then you are no better off than an open diff with the downfall of breaking something if you still wedge that locked tire against something. Your truck doesn't even have selectable hubs, so you're screwed there.
I just would not, would not, would not weld the front diff on an S-10. The 7.5" gearset is overloaded enough as is. How often do you feel like replacing the front differential?

03-25-2004, 01:20 AM	#1
914x4jimmy Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 125 Location: tacoma User is: OffLine	is it possible to weld the front spider gears in a 91 ifs 4x4? i blew up something in my diff and got a new used from from a wrecking yard, i was wondering if anyone else has welded there front spider gears? i think i'm gonna try anyways, i have a friend who does really good work, but he said some diffs have week metal and will not hold up welded
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03-25-2004, 09:42 AM	#2
adam728 Always Dreamin Big Age: 28 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,300 Location: Statesboro, GA User is: OffLine	Re: is it possible to weld the front spider gears in a 91 ifs 4x4? Welded differential on an already weak unit = BAD If you managed to break a diff running with an open front then a welded one would last you about a day. The forces acting on everything in there become much, much greater, since you can get into situations not possible with an open diff. Say you cram a tire into a very tight hole or against a rock or stump. With an open diff the other side would simply begin to slip as power was applied. Welded up you'll force that tire that's wedged in place to try turning. Plus a welded front is horrible for turning. I know a guy running one on a Bronco II, he only locks his hubs when he really really really needs 4 wheel drive. Sometimes he'll just run 1 hub locked, but then you are no better off than an open diff with the downfall of breaking something if you still wedge that locked tire against something. Your truck doesn't even have selectable hubs, so you're screwed there. I just would not, would not, would not weld the front diff on an S-10. The 7.5" gearset is overloaded enough as is. How often do you feel like replacing the front differential?
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