Welded Third Member?

[smokey66]

Looking to get opinions on this subject. I searched for a while and got back nothing. I'm contemplating welding my rear end. I know it's cheap and frowned upon, but let me explain my driving habits. I drive literally 2-3 miles a day (round trip). The most driving my truck sees is to the trails which are no more than 30-40 miles away. When I leave the island in a year, I'm junking the truck (minus the motor, driveline, console etc. which will go into a 4runner in the states). Really more of what I'm looking for is "testimonials" of people that have done it before with an 8" axle. Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[KidVermicious]

It's been done. You'll go through tires a lot faster, and it's supposed to be safer in the slop and ice than an automatic because it's 100% predictable. Personally, I would find a junk third to weld up first so I could try it before committing, but have at it.

I wanna know more about what trails you've got in Japan. Pics please!

 

[PNWRunner]

I spooled the rear in my wheeler, which the GF daily drives. No negative affects other than the occasional tire chirp around a tight corner. If you can deal with tire rash and dragging the rear around then go for it. Its really not all that much to do it right though.

 

[smokey66]

Cool, thanks for the input guys. I'll probably go ahead and do it.

@kidvermicious - I already puchased an extra whole axle just in case something does happen to go wrong. And there are a lot of trails here. A lot of different kind of trails than I'm used to. It's like rolling through a jungle pretty much, but fun non-the-less. Here's a link to my photobucket. Just weed through all the B.S. pictures.

Pictures by tonkatruck66 - Photobucket

@PNWRunner - Goin through tires doesnt really bother me. The only thing that worries about it driving-wise is the roads here are made of coral so they are hella slippery, ESPECIALLY when it rains. Didn't know how bad it'd be sliding around.

 

[KidVermicious]

Neat pics, smokey.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Cool, thanks for the input guys. I'll probably go ahead and do it.

@kidvermicious - I already puchased an extra whole axle just in case something does happen to go wrong. And there are a lot of trails here. A lot of different kind of trails than I'm used to. It's like rolling through a jungle pretty much, but fun non-the-less. Here's a link to my photobucket. Just weed through all the B.S. pictures.

Pictures by tonkatruck66 - Photobucket

@PNWRunner - Goin through tires doesnt really bother me. The only thing that worries about it driving-wise is the roads here are made of coral so they are hella slippery, ESPECIALLY when it rains. Didn't know how bad it'd be sliding around.

I don't get it, you sourced a spare axle as backup for the truck you are going to junk in a year?

 

[smokey66]

Yes. When you live on an island where there are more junk yards than fast food resturaunts, parts like axles and what-not come by pretty cheap. And as stated in the first post, they will both be coming with me when I leave. Along with the motor and pretty much everything else. It will be nothing more than a shell when I end up junking it.

@kidvermicious - Thanks man, lots of good times out here and many more to come.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yes. When you live on an island where there are more junk yards than fast food resturaunts, parts like axles and what-not come by pretty cheap. And as stated in the first post, they will both be coming with me when I leave. Along with the motor and pretty much everything else. It will be nothing more than a shell when I end up junking it.

@kidvermicious - Thanks man, lots of good times out here and many more to come.

Huh, I thought parts would be tough to get on an island. Interesting. How does so much stuff end up there?

I didn't realize you meant the WHOLE driveline. How are you managing that, boat shipment?

Sorry for all the questions, I am just curious how that works out without costing a ton.

 

[smokey66]

No. With all the military coming in an out of the island every few years, most people buy perfectly running vehicles that were just shipped down from mainland, and then by the time they leave the oil hadnt been changed in 3 years, they barely run, and are completely run down. So when they leave, they junk them. It's like a pick and pull until there isnt much left on the car, and then they're sent back to mainland to either be a japanese kids lunchbox or dissassembled even more.

When I leave, the military will ship back 2,000lbs for me for free. unfortuneatly they will not ship back a whole vehicle unless you sign a waiver saying you will pay for it to be converted to american spec. which can run you up around $15,000 - $20,000.