Welding up an ADD intermidiate shaft?

(4WD conversion purposes)

For those of you who understand the ADD diffs. I understand you can put a hose clamp around the shift fork in order to keep it the carrier locked. I would like to get rid of the vacuum unit and fork all together and just put a plate there. Is it possible to just weld the sliding gear and forego the shift fork and vacuum unit?

 

Sure, probably could work. I'm more concern if you did do it this way you might have issues taking it apart.

 

@tony2018 I see what your saying, I guess if I did end up with a problem I could just go ahead and get the manual int. shaft assembly. Just curious if my idea would work.

 

You have already done the conversion to manual Hubs??

 

@Wyoming09 currently in the middle of it. Trans and transfer case, along with all the interior parts are installed. Everything else is on a table at work.

 

You are only trying to keep the collar from walking, I bet you could get away with just using a HD ziptie or a metal tie like on the cv boots. Welding it you take a chance of slag or splatter making it into the carrier bearings or even chipping the ring gear. I have a lot of miles on multiple trucks/4runners with the hose clamp fix with no issues.

But if you really want to weld it get some brake cleaner and then just tack weld it in a couple places. Thats all it should take. Even just a large tack on the axle that wont let the collar slide over it would work

 

May even be easier to just cut the arm off the Add unit and weld it to the cover plate you are going to make.

 

Is there any reason in particular for wanting to get rid of the actuator? I did a conversion on my truck, and I can tell you that it's not at all a hindrance during the installation or operation of the front diff.

 

@Lfaub03 just one less thing to get in my way in the future. Not to mention the add unit is still functional and I can hold on to it or sell it in the future