Lincoln Locking the D35 ?'s

[88_Eddie]

Need some info on welding my D35 spider gears instead of getting a locker. Here's the deal, money is low, I wanna lock my 8.8 and D35 eventually, but I dont have the $$$ now.

I'm planning on running my stock 7.5 with 3.73's and a L/S until I get my 8.8 built and installed. (4.56's, lockright + necessary fab parts)

I have 2 D35 open pigs, one with some random gear ration (3.55's maybe??) and the other with 3.73's. I wanna weld the first one for now and then get a lockright and 4.56's for my other and then install that pig when i have the 8.8 done.

So my question is, what are the pro's and cons?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Add an extra side gear shim/washer to your open diff. housing. Very cheap [use one from the spare] and not as likely to explode parts. I've done it to a d-28 and a 9" with no problems.

Richard

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah, i've heard of that before, thought welding might be a little stronger.

what exactly does the extra shim do? press the spider gears closer together or something?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'd say what you said. I'm not an engineer, I just know what worked for me. The thing I'd worry about with the lincoln locker up front is when turning on rocks or pavement there could be a lot of stress on the front axles, u-joints, etc. but hopefully someone that's actually done one will say something. I'd do it for a mud bogger maybe.

Richard

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah i figured it would put more stress on everything. but i wouldnt have it in 4wd on pavement. i think i'll just try the shim for right now and save for a lock right for my other pig

 

[trail B2]

I think it will give you turning problems in tight areas.I put a lock right in mine it make a big difference in the snow and mud if your curious and willing to do the work what would it hurt that you can't fix with your spare parts?

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah, i agree, i think i'm gonna try the shim thing first, then weld it if i dont like it and then hopefully i'll have a lock right not too much longer after that.....thanks for the input

 

[predator]

i havent welded a d35, but i had a d44 under my 76 f250 that was welded...and it TOTALLY SUCKED, even in 2wd on the street it handled like a nightmare, how about you donate plasma, save your pop cans, cancel your tv for a year, pick up a part time job or do anything to get a little extra cash to buy a locker and do it right the first time!!!

welding your frontend might seem like a good idea, you'll even like it the first time offroad, but if your truck sees the street you'll be hating it in the first month...

 

[88_Eddie]

do it right the first time!!!

i agree, learned that lesson the hard way more than once, i do small construction work on the side, so i just need to pick up an extra job here and there.....thanks for the input

 

[Destroyer000]

i have welded both the 7.5 and dana 35 in my mud truck. as stated sharp turning, results in a jolting crawl. if you loose power steering be prepared to give it your all to turn.. the both axles held up great for what i was doing. i even ran the 7.5 locked rear end behind my 302 and i never destroyed it.

 

[gwaii]

but i had a d44 under my 76 f250 that was welded...and it TOTALLY SUCKED, even in 2wd on the street it handled like a nightmare.

try unlocking your hubs.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I wouldn't weld a front, a lock-right can be bad enough at times in the front - my choptop will dogtrack BAD going down a road if I have both front hubs locked in and in 4x4. If I unlock one front hub it is a bit nicer to drive on the road and it tracks straighter.

And I'd think twice about welding a rear now too. I put a lock-right in the rear of my F-150 and used a lil too much sticky grease putting it together (at least I'm guessing that was the problem). First turn I tried to make the truck was bucking and chirping tire. Couldn't hear it ratchet either. After a couple turns I heard a loud BANG! (and was worried that I snapped an axle or something). Now it ratchets in a turn like it's supposed to .... most of the time anyway. But F no to welding anything that will see the street.