Welded Spiders?

[89REDRANGER]

I have a question for some of you who may have experiance with the 7.5 rear ends. How well will these LITTLE diffs hold up with welded spiders and 31s? I just want the extra traction for the snow wheeling that I am planning on soon. I won't dare do it to my front D28. That's asking for trouble. I understand all about the pros and cons so don't tell me I shouldn't do it because.... I have already owned one truck with this done. I just need my 7.5 to last till spring time when I have time and money for a locked 'sploder 8.8 with 4.56s. Realistically, with a light foot, how long will this last.

 

[4x4junkie]

I don't see a problem as long as everything is welded up good. The shafts take most of the stress from it being welded. With 31" tires, they should be fine.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Pat (Totalled) had his welded with 32" swampers and a 302 and never had a problem. IMHO a 7.5 is strongest when welded, I would run up to 35s personally with it welded. I know and old member on the last forum named "No V8? Why Drive?" had 35s and a welded 7.5 and couldn't break it.

 

[Totalled]

And it was missing 2 teeth from the ring gear and had a knicked pinion tooth. It was my bitch, and it took it all.

 

[89REDRANGER]

So...what you're saying is that, the spiders are the weak point in the 7.5s? That's what I heard. Does anybody have any pictures of how to weld it. I know how to weld damn good, I just don't know where to weld it at and how much of it to weld. I don't want to spend money on a locker until I get my 'Sploder 8.8, unless somebody has one laying around for dirt cheap (like $75). How well do D28s hold up? It will be replaced too, but I don't want to lose my front-end in the middle of winter with no money and nothing to replace it with. I've already blown up one manual hub. Realistically how hard can I push these parts on 31s?

Thanks guys!

 

[Hahnsb2]

Anything over 31" is pushing it with a d28. I've never broken mine yet, I've wheeled it fairly hard along with some good wheel spin while turning...

 

[89REDRANGER]

Alrighty. Good to know. I'll just weld up the rear, leave the front alone, and be nice to it. Thanks for the help. I gotta go to bed now. Gotta find a job tomorrow.

 

[Totalled]

Yes, the side gears are the weak point of a 7.5.. The rest is really stout for what it is.. way stronger than a Jeep D35 rear.

Weld the side gears to the carrier, then put the spiders in and slip the pin in. Weld the spiders to the side gears and carrier. Make sure and check that the cross pin can still slide in/out during the different stages of welding.

Welding the side gears to the carrier effectively makes it as true of a spool as you can get, and takes the load off of the cross pin and puts it into the stronger carrier.

 

[89REDRANGER]

What about using a mini spool? I have a friend that has one he will give for $35. I think that still puts too much strain on the cross pin though. Am I right?

 

[Hahnsb2]

I've never seen a mini spool for a 7.5, I was under the impression that no one makes em...

 

[89REDRANGER]

I've never seen a mini spool for a 7.5, I was under the impression that no one makes em...

Well, he has one. I watched him pull it out of his 7.5 when he had the totalled truck pulled to the wrecking yard. I thought they were the unicorn of parts for 7.5s. He won't tell me where he got it either, as he won't be able to sell his if I go buy a brand new one. Kind of a screwed situation. He's kind of a prick sometimes. Oh well, he makes a good wheeling buddy.

 

[Hahnsb2]

You sure it wasn't an 8.8? Either way it cant put any more stress than a lock-right, and 7.5s are pretty damn strong locked. I don't think it would bother me to run a mini spool with only 31s.

 

[89REDRANGER]

Serious as a heart attack. I would have took the whole rear if it was an 8.8. It even had 4.10s. Only problem is that it was missing teeth off the pinion. The local shop that set it up F@CKED it up! Then the bastards had the guts to tell him that it was his problem it broke, and wouldn't give his money back. The Better Business Bureau was contacted, as well as an attorney. Needless to say the business isn't there any more, and my buddy got enough to pay cash for a 1990 that had a 302/C4/Atlas and half ton gear. They fucked him, and he fucked them right back.

 

[4x4junkie]

Don't even bother with the mini-spool. C-clip mini spools suck the big one (they are not a solid piece like others are).

Just weld it.

 

[josh-the-ranger]

does anyone have pictures of welding the gears? or 88redranger can you take some pics and post?