lincolnlock dana 25

Im fairly sure the locker just found the first weak spot, It was popping before the weld job. The bendix broke first and it jamed against one of the balls and thats when the shaft went. The real test will be when I put the U joint styles in to replace it with. I'll agree with you guys, if you have the money buy a locker. But I'm broke and want to go wheeling :twisted:

 

Thomas built Jeep=

2 1967 Jeeps in Poor condition
2 years in the Garage
1 Small budget
Add...
a WELDED Dana44 rear, 25 Frt, F head, (slightly used), T-90 w/ a T18, 3" low buck lift, 33x12.50 Savero MT's, S5000 winch, some tubing, scrap 18 gauge tin, scrap Aluminum, All new wiring, MSD 6AL, All new Ignition system, SS air Filter, Autometer gauges, Quick disconnect 17" Steering Wheel, Salvaged Jeep Seats, and Bright Yeller Paint.

Mix all together with copious amounts of labor And a modest amout of Cash, and you get...

My Thomas Built Jeep!

Been Uwharrie tested several times
Richlands tested x2 (See Avitar!)
Tested on any major construction site we can find while driving down the road!
Next...Tellico in the Spring!

 

Yes the fun part is just getting out there and doing it......but.....if you go frequently enough I believe you'll get bored running the same trials over and over. You will find the limit of your stock/nearly stock vehicle and that will be it (my TJ). You'll either go offroading less, or you'll start modifying your vehicle to fit the needs of the trails you want to be able to ride. I know some of the trails we ride in TN, if you dont have at least 35s your not going to be doing much except for struggling to get to bypasses around the main parts of the trails.

As for your comparison of running the two trails, was there no erosion or trail difficulty increase in the 8 years that seperated your 2 rides there? I know at least here in the SE that in just a years time trails completly change, not to mention a time span that big.

 

Yea, Madizell has a point to be made.

The challenge for me is getting over or thru obstacles. With only my skill and without maxin out the VISA card. This is best for me because I wont ever run out of trails that challenge the level of Jeep I have. And I guess becoming frustrated and giving up has never been something I do. (This last trip, I trashed a radiator because of repeatedly hitting a rock I shouldnt have tried in the first place!! LOL)

As far as my experience so far, the "point and shoot" jeeps look like the ones that would become boring. You would eventually build up to a point that there would be "no obstacle too tough" Then what do ya do?!

Sure, I will make small improvements as I go. (Im now switching out my 4.27's for 5.38's.) But ever since I saw a GPW, with a stock L-head, run Uwharrie, a muddy evening on Daniel no less, with an open, 3.73 Rear in two wheel drive. (I know this, because I lent him the rear as a result of him breaking an axle in his 5.38 rear).
AND he towed another Jeep back to the camp that night!!

You will not EVER sell me on "You must have this and do it this way". I have seen too much success and too much enjoyment on the other side!

 

<thread cleaned up to keep on lockers topic>

so have you welded the diff yet ?
still interesting reading about how difficult to steer with the hubs unlocked..I still don't understand why ??
never have heard about the u-joint/axle indexing Nick, thanks.

 

Just FYI, but if you surf Ebay you can find a Power Lok for your Dana 25, one for a Dana 27 with the 8 bolt ring gear mounting will work also, fairly cheap.
I bought one from a guy at Jeeps Unlimited and couldn’t be happier with it.
Also, as I’m sure you already know Dana 25’s aren’t the strongest axles. Sometime I’ll post a laundry list of the parts I’ve broken try’n to keep it alive with 33” tires and a mildly built GM V-8.
If you weld up yours, you’re going to break stuff. IMO, the ring and pinion will probably go just before the axle shafts. At least that’s been my experience so far.

 

Yes. The outer diameter is, IIRC, 7.5” for Dana 27 and 7.75” for a Dana 25, but the inner diameter is the same so the ring gear from a Dana 25 will fit a Dana 27 carrier and visa versa. You just have to make sure it’s the 8 bolt carrier as some Dana 27’s have a 10 bolt carrier.
Also, the drivers side differential bearing cap will require modification (grinding or milling off some metal) in order to clear the bolts on the Power Lok that hold the two housing halves together.