Here is my situation.. I will try my best to explain:
The 3rd member on my 87 Sami was very sloppy at the flange/bearing.  I removed both front axles to find that the outter passenger axle was broken off.  This 3-4" broken piece had been ratteling around in the wheel spindel for who knows how long (recently aquired the truck).  So needing an axle shaft & spindle, I went to a local guy with parts.  I ended up picking up both parts along with a good deal on a low mileage front 3rd member. 

I went online and bought a complete front rebuild kit (since i was already disassymbeled), a lock right front locker, and 2 - 3rd member rebuild kits.

So on to my point. Today the locker came in. I started taking apart the newely aquired (bearly used) front 3rd.  Right off I realized it had a larger flange.  Once I got inside I noticed there was only 1 pinion shaft.  I have since learned this from a later model and will not work with the locker.

The origonal 3rd member has been shade tree booger welded and I cannot free the side gears.  Otherwise I would just swap parts over.

I didnt realize so much was involved rebuilding a 3rd member so I am hesitant on this as a solution.  I do have a rear 3rd member which the ring/pinion gears are shot but case is good.  Trouble with swapping this case into this newer housing (to avoid a full rebuild) is the top & bottom gears are larger than the ones needed for the front axles.

What do you suggest I do at this point?

if i read it right you need some side gears for the front axle shafts to slide into take some pictures of whats you are working with  and what you need    there is a lot of us that  have old spare parts and pieces laying round i may have a carrier with good side gears 

Yes side gears to accept the front axles would work with the carrier I have.  I have a total of 3 diffs.  I did not have plans on needing 2 of them (the 2 origionally on the truck) so I did not mark anything and took them all apart.

Here is the newer front carrier i picked up:


Top left is what came out of the front diff housing (Welded and useless side gears.)  Top right is the newer carrier.  Bottom is my origional rear carrier with large side gears and locker installed.


My best option may be to drop this locked carrier in my rear housing on the truck.  Take that carrier out, install a second locker and side gears for front axles.  I have to pull my rear axles anyway to fix a seal leak.  I can swap out parts with someone for the side gears or just pay either way. TIA

looks like some one like to weld a lot  i have a 4 pin carrier and  side gears you are installing a locker in the front  if so you dont need spiders  pm me we could make a deal on the parts you need

You can also switch to some heavy duty front axles.  Calmini makes a set with spring steel that uses the stock birfields or Trail Tough makes a set of Chromoly front axles and birfields.  They both use the larger splined side gears.

You can also switch to some heavy duty front axles.  Calmini makes a set with spring steel that uses the stock birfields or Trail Tough makes a set of Chromoly front axles and birfields.  They both use the larger splined side gears.

Thanks for the idea. Just dropped 800 on parts not counting another locker and a must needed wench otherwise that would be a great upgrade. I am running 31 tsl tires so I think the stock axles with lockers may do okay... I hope!

It all depends on your driving style.  I drove for years with 33x12.5" tires without a problem.  I have also seen people break them twice a year with 31" tires.  But it doesn't hurt to give it a try first. 

Ya I hear ya. I would love 33s stance wise. Budget just too tight after getting her reliable and a few goodies. We mostly woods ride and hunt a lot. Funny thing is the sale of our lifted gas cart is covering the entire cost so far.