1978 Ramcharger Aka The "Death Charger"

[ProjectM880]

a lot of the video's also say to not do it in the axle housing either 


My only concern is if I get a real locker that requires that carrier... that could be a PITA... then again there is another d60 with 4.10's out there, could just swap carriers 

Any real locker will replace the carrier, only lunch box lockers use the existing carrier

[rjtx667]

lunch box might be all I can afford after all this stuff.... besides i probably need a little give in it for driving on the street.

[ProjectM880]

lunch box might be all I can afford after all this stuff.... besides i probably need a little give in it for driving on the street.

Lunch Box Lockers are ratchet style lockers and can be noisy in a rear axle. Most put them up front. They don;t make very good rear lockers. I would personally save up for a good rear locker if you plan to drive on the street. Noah and I both run Spartan Lunch Box lockers in the front axles of our trucks. They very rarely come un locked

[SixGun]

I think the issue is street or trail truck.  Practical on the trail may not be practical on the street even if it is street "legal".  From what I have read, all lockers will have mannerisms that some will find annoying in the street.  Occasional tire chirping and a little tire wear are a given but once you get used to it and learn to take wider turns it is nearly unnoticeable. As for lunchbox or more traditional locker the weakness is in the axles themselves more times than not.  A hard hit or a stuck tire can find a weak spot without a doubt. Also a high performance vs stock motor.

I think that for a trail truck, if the welded rear holds, keep it and go for it. My only concern was if it should have been welded around the spider gear housing as well.  Time will tell if you give it a chance.  Will has a welded rear if I remember correctly. Maybe he can give us some input.

[rjtx667]

I think the welded locker will be fine... Noah just mentioned concerns of how it will do in ice/snow... which is about the only other time I really drive the truck on the street.

[taz_man440]

Yea, my Ramcharger has a 8 lug 9 1/4 that I welded up.. Haven't had any problems & I did drive on the street for about 2 months.. Couple times a week... Only real problems were if it was wet it would slide the truck.. Just have to get used to it..

[rjtx667]

donuts without trying lol

[taz_man440]

donuts without trying lol

Zactly... LOL

[rjtx667]

since we have ran off course on this thread, your sig says you have a 2012 durango with a hemi?

How does it do? my 2013 has no balls... granted my base line for that is the mexico ramcharger  but the torque management is way crazy on those things.

[taz_man440]

Its not bad.. I havent got next to it but I know it will take my truck off the line for sure, but its more luxury...LOL  loaded , leather, heated seats... almost too much ... automatic wipers & headlights will spoil ya..  But it does beat my truck on fuel mileage, it gets around 20 where my truck gets 15 or so.

[rjtx667]

I have the R/T and it will get 20-21 highway but with my lead foot about 15 or so in town.

mine is loaded too and yeah will spoil you.... epically the cooled seats lol

I plan to get mine tuned soon to help the acceleration issue lol

[ProjectM880]

Hopefully the RC will be good to go at hidden falls. Noah and I worked out a few hiccups last I was there and got it running pretty good. Still have a few things to do on it. Need to do some trimming to the fenders if Noah hasn't got to it. Plus Might even change up the interior a little bit if I have the time when I get back.

[rjtx667]

Change the interior? 

adding A/C ? 

[ProjectM880]

Change the interior? 

adding A/C ? 

I wish! Looking at adding some safety since my top is about as strong as a crushed beer can.

[ProjectPW]

lunch box might be all I can afford after all this stuff.... besides i probably need a little give in it for driving on the street.

I dont think anyone makes a 30 spline dana 60 "lunchbox" style locker they are all 35 spline I think...good for a front d60 axle. They are also very nearly the same cost as a grizzly/detroit style locker. I am not sure if the spider gears will come out of your current carrier anyway as they have to be "rotated" out of the carrier....yours ain't gonna do that anymore  ........ I recommend a detroit and some 35 spline shafts when the time comes....maybe some disc brakes too..... oh and dont forget a front d60 that will also need some love..... then you will need bigger tires....and more lift.....and another tcase....and a supercharger.....and a new motor(408).....hmmmm too much coffee