anyone run a welded 7.5 for dd use?

[n_bannerman]

I got my hands on a free carrier and have been thinking about welding it up. does anyone run a welded 7.5 for dd use and how do the rear shafts take the abuse?
sick of doing one wheel spins front and rear when ever im in the mountains so its time to do something for the rear and this would be free but only if its not likely to blow a shaft driving to class.
thanks!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Every bone in my body tells me this is a bad idea for pavement, but I have no personal experience. You could add an extra side gear shim and get posi for a while, I've done this on a 9" and a d-28. A whole lot easier on the drive train but not without risk. And about the same price as the lincoln locker.

Richard

 

[Bennybooster]

I currently have mine welded, it sucks cause I have worn through 20% of my tire tread in like 2 months but the axle itself has been great. I have hit some big bumps way too fast and sideways and it is fine

 

[Explorin94]

It's all about experimenting in my opinion. If you have the extra carrier and want to try it I say got for it. I have a spool in my 8.8 under my ranger and like Benny said it will wear your tires real quick. The 7.5 is not the most stout axle to do it to so it may explode on you.

 

[Captain Ledd]

The 7.5" shafts are pretty strong actually, they're the same ones in the Ranger 8.8's. The 7.5's weak point has always been the spider gears and maybe the cross pin, welding everything together would take both of those issues out.

For the gain in ground clearance (as opposed to an 8.8"), I'm surprised it isn't done more often.

 

[Snal]

it would be cool to be locked like that all the time however like everyone has said, you're gonna wear through tires and it will be harder to regain control if you lose it. but if you've got money to replace the tires more often then I would recommend saving up for a locker so it's not always locked and you wont blow through the tires. it'd be money saved in the long run. as far as locking a 7.5 goes it all depends on what you use it for and if you need the extra strength or not

 

[Bennybooster]

it would be cool to be locked like that all the time however like everyone has said, you're gonna wear through tires and it will be harder to regain control if you lose it. but if you've got money to replace the tires more often then I would recommend saving up for a locker so it's not always locked and you wont blow through the tires. it'd be money saved in the long run. as far as locking a 7.5 goes it all depends on what you use it for and if you need the extra strength or not

I disagree, my truck is way easier to control at high speeds on dirt now

 

[farmer]

I disagree, my truck is way easier to control at high speeds on dirt now

Agreed. Running a locked 8.8 and locked Dana 44 rear axle in my two trucks.

 

[bobbywalter]

twisting off shafts sux from doing this ime. they pencil and shard at the splines when they finally fail.


tires will die quickly

 

[Bennybooster]

Also my rear springs are wrecked and need to be replaced now......hella spring wrap