i've read where people have welded up the 10bolt center chunk to the axle tubes. can this help with strength? and during welding can you go all the way around in one shot or do a inch or so at a time going from one side to the next? i have a lincoln mig i can use. is there anything else you can do to the housing to get it to flex less?

 

do you have a 110 or 220 welder? If you have a 110 I would not even attempt it, but that is just me... Are you wanting to put some brace that connects inbetween the housing and tubes?

 

well i read that someone had there actual center chunk spin on the axle tubes. he's on here. he said when he had it fix they just moved it back striaght and welded it up and studed it somehow. i know they make a girdle too but i don't have money for that right now. so just looking for basic "free" mods to do. i think its a 110 so even if i turn it up you don't think it will weld it?

 

I would not trust a 110 welder past 1/8 steel... But that is just me, on my 220 welder I only go up to 3/16, anything over that I don't feel comfortable welding with a mig... Depending on the thickness of the case and tubes you might be able to do it with the biggest flux core wire you can find with the welder turned all the way up.... More than likely you could only weld a 10-20 seconds continously then wait about 5-10 before welding again because you will probably exceed the welders duty cycle.... Just make sure the metal is absolutely clean and wipe it down with acetone before... Just my .02.....

 

Use stitch welds and he's right a 110 will have problems

 

what about a big stick? he has one of those too but its been awhile.... stitch welds? don't mean to sound dumb. not up on all the welding lingo. i do mostly just exhuast systems. kinda learn as i go. i have a book .......

 

i don't think the axle tubes are very thick are they? where could i find out?

 

found it. looks like they are .250, 1/4" thick. http://www.cj7jeep.com/info/axle/tub_thickness.html

 

That would cause too much heat and probably warp the tubes... More harm than good there....

Really the only option I would consider since it is 1/4 thick would be a tig welder, it can weld that thick but it does it alot colder than a mig or stick...

Sorry to shoot down your ideas, you could risk ruining your rear end, IMO...

 

one day i shall have a tig.......one day. maybe i'll just move on to welding up my trailing arms. from c shape to box. and some POR 15 for the axle to clean it up a bit.