I am planning to do something in the way of a rear locker for my 87 Samurai.  I just got finished reading the article in the feb 05 petersen's and am now a little turned off about welding it.  I am familiar with the Toyota rear ends and I assumed the Zuki ones were the same, but judging by the pictures in the magazine there is a bit more to welding the spiders in these.  What adjustments will have to be made when you reassemble it?  And honestly are you going to break rear axles with a 31 inch tire?  I'm pretty easy on the go pedal for the most part.  Should I be a little less cheap and just buy a lockrite and get it over with?  What is entailed in the installation of one of these in a samurai rear?  Thanks for putting up with all my questions.


Andrew

If you do more off road than on, weld it. I had mine welded and took it out, they tend to push the rig streight and has bad manners on the street, and lots of tire wear.

mini-spool

... $99

http://www.trailtough.com/

welcome ti zukiworld  

From what I understand from looking at pictures you have to remove the carrier for the ring gear to access the spiders, what has to be adjusted and how hard is it when you put it together, and I like the looks of the mini-spool for $99.  :

Here's an install article (from another site)
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,9054.0.html

I'm going to follow that and DIY my spool install when I get the time in about two weeks.

I'll try to get some good pics during my buildup (article eric?)

If you were going to weld, here's another tech article ...
http://www.island4x4.com/4x4tech/axle/weldeddiff1/

i have the rear end welded and i have bad axle shaft issues.  but thats with 34in tall tire.  if you drive it more than 100 miles a year on pavement then get a locker.  your rear end will thank you

stu

my 90 sammy has been welded front & rear for 3 years--sportin 32" buckshots . never on road, in every imaginable circumstance off road---never broke any driveline part. it goes where jeep owners dont even like to look. as for the difficulty-- it goes together just like it came apart. its simple & im no diff man! when you weld the spiders you just dont build your weld too much, or you cant get the cover back on((((its very self explainatory))))
           on the down side--it takes an acre to turn unless you unlock one hub.anything other than a strait line is hard to navigate.
            personally---im going to put a locker in the front & leave the back welded & see what happens--i think that will work fine.
                 thats my feelings on the matter--hope it helps!


          IT WILL DEFINATELY TWIST THE T-CASE BRACKET THOUGH----YOU HAVE TO REINFORCE IT








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I got the rear in my trackick welded. Little weird on road, but predictable. Off road... . And CHEAAAAAAAAAP my favorite part! I pulled the third and had my buddy weld the spiders to the carrier. (I think) and I've had zero issues!

I fozzy welded mine as per the island4x4 article and drive lots on the street. I might mention that I run my truck hard on and off road and have had no issues with the rear.

Should I be a little less cheap and just buy a lockrite and get it over with?  What is entailed in the installation of one of these in a samurai rear?  Thanks for putting up with all my questions.


Andrew

I'm having my LockRite installed this Friday ( done by some-one who has done several and me handing him spanners and coffee )

I'll make a page on my website about the install with pics and post the link here.

[edit]Okay, it's in and here's the story so far, easy install !
http://www.nitromax.nl/SAMLOCKER.HTM[/edit]

I went with a Spool rather then welding just to have the extra insurance of not needing to worry about the welds breaking.  Not likely with the amount of power I'm putting down, but still.  

The Spool was a quick install since I had everything torn apart to put in the Hybrid Rear-End anyway.  It was nice to know I could put the spider gears back in if things didn't work out.

Wasn't somebody working on a 50 dollar spool?

Whats the lock-rite cost for a sami?

Rocky Road has it on sale for 172.  At least on their websight.  You can find it here.  Other aftermarket companies such as Hawk Suzuki are most likely pretty close.

i started with a loc-rite in the rear,then moved it up front and mini spooled the rear.with tire wear i would not do a spool again i would stick with the locker.
  and i would NOT weld the spiders gears.
      AZ