Welding Rear 12 bolt GM axle

[AustinDube]

is it really a good idea to weld the spider gears on my chevy k10? it will be a street and mud vehicle but im only thinking of doing the rear. I have a 12 bolt gm axle. Im wondering if a good weld is still dangerous to dump the clutch or anything? should I weld in a plate too or? but will it be strong enough with preheating it with a torch and welding it with my mig?

 

[smoothandlow84]

If you weld the spider gears (a.k.a. a lincoln locker) I definately would not try to drive it on the street. My rock crawler toyota had a "lincoln locker" and altbough it was possible to drive it on paved roads...the rear end woulh op and skip whenever cornering. Tire wear was extreme and handling characteristics were drasally different on road. I also went through more universal joints due to the added stress on the rear driveline. Off road was different. Softer terrain when cornering meant that the tires wouldnt hop as much since the dirt gave way much easier than a hard packed surface. In sand and loose dirt/mud traction was definately noticed. I wouldn't weld the front....especially for on road use.

 

[Georgeb]

On a truck that will see street use you are probably better with an automatic or selectable locker.

 

[Rusty Nail]

You really don't want to do that.

 

[HotRodPC]

When you said STREET, that kills that idea. I'd say NOOOOOOO. Not only for the reason of breaking parts, but in some situations it can actually even be dangerous on the street when you start getting wheel hop and losing traction with barking tires, not to mention the unwanted attention you'd be getting from cops.

 

[HotRodPC]

How much horsepower you running? If you're keeping it under the 325hp range and under the 35in tire then you can cheap out and go with a Spartan or Lock Right lunchbox locker.

No need to reset up your ring and pinion. It's pretty much a take out the spider gears of your open carrier and replace the spiders with the locker.

http://www.rocky-road.com/lockright.html

 

[crazy4offroad]

I do not recommend welding a c-clip rear end. If your side gears are welded to the spider gears you'll have a hell of a time getting the axleshaft c-clips in/out.

 

[HotRodPC]

I do not recommend welding a c-clip rear end. If your side gears are welded to the spider gears you'll have a hell of a time getting the axleshaft c-clips in/out.

Not to mention the chance of breaking an axle does also go up. Not that it will happen, but chances do go up.

Curt !!! Been awhile

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Not to mention the truck carriers are inherently weak and putting a lot of heat into them will make them weaker and brittle.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Curt !!! Been awhile

I been around, posting here and there! Doing a lot of overtime at work, trying to help out sick relatives and get on a good coyote hunt when I can.

For the OP, get a Lock-Right or a Yukon lunchbox locker. The money will be worth the trade-off of headache avoided.

 

[HotRodPC]

I been around, posting here and there! Doing a lot of overtime at work, trying to help out sick relatives and get on a good coyote hunt when I can.

For the OP, get a Lock-Right or a Yukon lunchbox locker. The money will be worth the trade-off of headache avoided.

X2 on the lunchbox locker.

 

[bucket]

I've thought about welding up my C10's rear axle for ***** and giggles. It's a 2.56 geared 10 bolt and worthless. Yeah, I'll likely break something... but it would be good times in the process and it would mean I'd finally have to swap in my 4.10 axle.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Wait. Youre going to do that BECAUSE you WANT it to break?
I dont think thats what Austin is after, is it OP?

 

[bucket]

Wait. Youre going to do that BECAUSE you WANT it to break?
I dont think thats what Austin is after, is it OP?

I don't think that's what he wants, but you never know I guess. Maybe the end goal is a stronger rear axle for the mud truck.

 

[HotRodPC]

Wait. Youre going to do that BECAUSE you WANT it to break?
I dont think thats what Austin is after, is it OP?

I don't think that's what he wants, but you never know I guess. Maybe the end goal is a stronger rear axle for the mud truck.

May as well break it. Only thing good is housing and the axles. Even for a gear change, you'd have to change the carrier too cuz I think the cut off is 2.73 on down and 3.08 and up. Surely you're not going to swap to 2.73 from 2.56 so trash that carrier and gears, no big loss. Can't believe GM even put those ratios in trucks. I even call 3.08's station wagon gears, but damn, 2.73 and 2.56's too??? My buddy's 84 Silverado has 2.56's in it too with a Th350. It'll do 70mph in 1st gear.