• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Welded diff

  • Thread starter Thread starter jcwhite1288
  • Start date Start date Jan 11, 2007
J

jcwhite1288

New Member
May 13, 2006
38
0
0
Jan 11, 2007
#1
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #1
I was talkin to a friend about where to get a good posi for the 8" in my 1966 and he told me that i coud get the spyder gears in my open diff welded together to make a locker.. i was wondering if anyone out there reccomends this, it seems way to simple of a solution for there to be no drawbacks, like the weld breaking or something.
 

302 coupe

Founding Member
Mar 2, 2000
1,952
3
36
Macon, Ga.
Jan 11, 2007
#2
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #2
It would be a real pain to weld the spider gears in a 8" or 9" ford. I'm guessing your buddy is a chevy guy, or just clueless in general, lol. You could buy a mini-spool for about $40 and swap it in. You'd have to pull the centersection and disassemble the carrier, but its pretty easy really, and you wouldn't have to worry about poor quality welds breaking.
 
G

gjz30075

Member
Aug 30, 2004
250
0
17
Roswell, Ga
Jan 11, 2007
#3
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #3
Totally impractical for the street, too. You'll hate it.
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Jan 11, 2007
#4
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #4
Around here that's known as a "Lincoln Locker", as in made with a Lincoln-brand welder. Several budget-class circle-track cars use them to to the fact it's extremely easy to do and practically free. Just weld spiders together and "presto" instant spool! It's not the strongest way of doing things, but if you have a set of gears just for the drags, why not? I wouldn't run them on the street for long unless you like buying tires.
 

1320stang

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1998
4,329
23
89
Edmond, Oklahoma
Jan 11, 2007
#5
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #5
I had my 8" welded up, I ended up breaking it due to excessive wheel hop (in fact, that was the last time my '65 ran), but doing it doesn't require any disassembly other than pulling the chunk and throwing it into a parts washer when done to clean out weld bb's and flux. If you're eventually going to upgrade to a 9", I see no reason not to do this, especially if you have a pretty stock engine.

It's old school, but it works. I have a friend with a '67 with a 9" and probably a 275HP 302 with a C4 and it's had a Lincoln Locker with 3.91s for over 15 years and not broken it. You have to be careful with corners and wet surfaces, tires wear faster. But when they break, the third member is typically toast, my caged bearing that supports the end of the pinion broke out of the support of the carrier, but the car still peg legged and I drove it up onto the trailer at the track and drove it a mile home from the shop when we got back to town.
 

68FBJJZ109

Member
May 2, 2005
357
0
17
Easton, PA
Jan 11, 2007
#6
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #6
I have done it to my Dana 35 front and 8.8 rear axle in my truck, works wonders having a real 4WD vehicle offroad, haven't broke anything. Well besides the hubs .
 

1965stangcoupe

New Member
Sep 7, 2006
82
0
0
Mount Vernon Washington
Jan 11, 2007
#7
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #7
302 coupe said:
It would be a real pain to weld the spider gears in a 8" or 9" ford. I'm guessing your buddy is a chevy guy, or just clueless in general, lol. You could buy a mini-spool for about $40 and swap it in. You'd have to pull the centersection and disassemble the carrier, but its pretty easy really, and you wouldn't have to worry about poor quality welds breaking.
Click to expand...

While on this subject I am keeping my 8" till I really need a 9" or find a good deal on one. In the mean time I would like to know where the best place to by a trac lok or something for my 8" is. I am not looking for the best but something reliable and fairly priced. thanks!
 

ultrastang

Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
1,092
2
37
Arkansas
Jan 11, 2007
#8
  • Jan 11, 2007
  • #8
Good price on a new ford 28-spline Traction-lok differential;


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9-Fo...012QQitemZ220069800565QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
 
J

jcwhite1288

New Member
May 13, 2006
38
0
0
Jan 13, 2007
#9
  • Jan 13, 2007
  • #9
ehh ive decided against the lincoln locker cuz im gonna have my 8" for a while before upgrading, what i was looking at for my eight inch and what stangcoupe you should check out are these powertrax lockers. they've got two different models, the <a href="http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWT%2D92%2D0680%2D2800&N=700+400018+4294908331+4294895172+115&autoview=sku">No-Slip </a> and the <a href="http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWT%2D1810%2DLR&N=700+400018+4294908331+4294895172+115&autoview=sku">lock-right</a>. they baisically replace your spyder gears and turn you open diff into sortof a detroit locker. im savin for a no-slip myself... has anyone got one installed? if so how's it drive?
 

1965stangcoupe

New Member
Sep 7, 2006
82
0
0
Mount Vernon Washington
Jan 14, 2007
#10
  • Jan 14, 2007
  • #10
jcwhite1288 said:
ehh ive decided against the lincoln locker cuz im gonna have my 8" for a while before upgrading, what i was looking at for my eight inch and what stangcoupe you should check out are these powertrax lockers. they've got two different models, the <a href="http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWT%2D92%2D0680%2D2800&N=700+400018+4294908331+4294895172+115&autoview=sku">No-Slip </a> and the <a href="http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWT%2D1810%2DLR&N=700+400018+4294908331+4294895172+115&autoview=sku">lock-right</a>. they baisically replace your spyder gears and turn you open diff into sortof a detroit locker. im savin for a no-slip myself... has anyone got one installed? if so how's it drive?
Click to expand...

Wow I like it but what is the ratio? like 3.5 3.7 or how does it work? it says no oil needed. are they talking about not filling the diff with gear oil if you have this item? thanks for showing me!!!
 

1965stangcoupe

New Member
Sep 7, 2006
82
0
0
Mount Vernon Washington
Jan 14, 2007
#11
  • Jan 14, 2007
  • #11
Oh never mind it uses the gear oil and it looks like the gearingis whatever I have now( stock 8" 1965- thinkits like 2.8 or something). so i would have to buy a new lower gear anyways! how much does a 3.55 cost for an 8" and where do you suggest getting one? if im wrong about it keeping the same ratio as before pleas tell me. thanks

I actually am planning on keeping the 8" for along time so is this still the better way to go. I plan on doing a little bit of auto cross racing so would it be better for racing to have a normal http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/8-Fo...emQQcategoryZ33731QQihZ012QQitemZ220069800516 instead of the no slip or something? The only reason for me to want to go to a 9" would be if i was to get more horsepower than 400 or so but im gonna have about 300. and no plans to go much higher.
 
J

jcwhite1288

New Member
May 13, 2006
38
0
0
Jan 15, 2007
#12
  • Jan 15, 2007
  • #12
to my knowledge you can keep the same gearing ratio you have.. i believe you can use any ratio you want, seeing as these lokers dont interact directly with the pinion gear. personally i am gunna go with either 3.50 or 3.55 gearing...

oh also i believe that trac lok on ebay wont work for 8"s rear before 1967 cuz rear ends from 64-66 use a two pin and 67 and above use 4 pin... im not 100% sure its completly incompatible though :\
 

1965stangcoupe

New Member
Sep 7, 2006
82
0
0
Mount Vernon Washington
Jan 16, 2007
#13
  • Jan 16, 2007
  • #13
jcwhite1288 said:
to my knowledge you can keep the same gearing ratio you have.. i believe you can use any ratio you want, seeing as these lokers dont interact directly with the pinion gear. personally i am gunna go with either 3.50 or 3.55 gearing...
Click to expand...

So where are you getting your ring and pinion gears from? or do you know of a good place to? I am not finding any for the 8"ers on ebay so i'm wondering where a good priced one is? I too was planning on going with a 3.5 or a little higher.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Drive Shaft/Rear Diff Issue on 2014 GT
  • DudeStang
  • Jun 16, 2025
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
11
Views
1K
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Jan 21, 2026
gkomo
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
594
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
C
Suggestions for rear diff gears - 1969 Mach 351W 4v
  • cfauvel
  • Apr 8, 2024
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
10
Views
2K
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Jun 27, 2024
cfauvel
C
WTB/Trade Looking for a T-Top Hatch. Possible convertible trade? (Rhode Island)
  • 7upper
  • Mar 18, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
335
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Mar 18, 2025
7upper
M
2001 v6 heater hose quick connect question
  • mnky99
  • Sep 24, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
604
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Sep 26, 2025
mnky99
M
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?