Welded Spider Gears - How long did they get ya?

[72_EB]

Just curious. Poll for homebrew spider gear welders.

How long did you get before you chewed them up and upgraded to an actual locker?
Tire, gear, and motor size please.

 

[73bronco]

My welded spiders in my front 44 are still holding up great. Stock engine, 4.11 gears in the axles, NP435, 36x13.50 iroks aired down in the rocks. Broken several axles including a Yukon. No problems at all.

 

[ugly74]

my Bronco's not welded, but the 87 Dodge 250 I have has a welded Dana60 in the rear. I use it mainly for plowing snow. but it's a really hardcore kindof snowplowing. locked in back, with v-bar tire chains on all 4, and I still get stuck sometimes (roadgraders and bucket loaders get stuck too). lots of switchbacks and steep hills...but I digress.

it's got 33s in the summer, 245-75x16s in the winter, 3.50 gears, np435 and a very strong 360. I used a 6011 rod, and it came out real nice. I think? I did it 3 years ago (maybe longer, but at least 3 years) and have never had a problem.
but I don't recommend you do this on something that sees pavement on a regular basis.

 

[RajinCajun]

6 different diff's welded up here, all still going strong.. 2-4 years... The trick is to weld the gears to the carrier as well as welding gear to gear.. You screw up the carrier that way, but a Detroit/Full Spook comes complete And a replacement open carrier isn't but about $35..

 

[mattyq17]

Any pics of welded up spider gears?

 

[ugly74]

next time I open it up for a fluid change, I'll get you pics. but that won't be for about another year.

I didn't weld to the carrier, just gear to gear. 4 long continuous beads. up one side, past the cross shaft, and then down the other.