Another Cast Iron question.

admin

I'm not sure if I've asked this here or not, but after going through the search I feel I need to ask.I am building a Dana 44 axle for my TJ and need to weld the upper control arm bracket (steel) to the top of the D44 pumpkin ( cast iron). I have been told to use nickle rod with a stick welder, but only have a mig/fcaw welder.  Anyone with experience doing this with a mig/fcaw please speak up now. TIA   AntmanBill W aka AntmanUp on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. God and 4 Wheelers Country!
Reply:I guess no one wants to reply.  Well, I'm building around the cast iron with a cross over piece. Just have to design it. Thanks for helping me NOT weld to the cast iron.Bill W aka AntmanUp on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. God and 4 Wheelers Country!
Reply:Well, if you keep up that attitude, you will surely get darned few answers and none of them will be polite. Remember, the is strictly a volunteer effort. If you want instant answers, I sure you could go pay someone for them. The advice here is free but the knowledge is distributed and not everybody logs in every day. Personally, there is no way I would trust any component welded to a differential housing. I welded up a few cracked housings but I always truss them out to the axle tubes.
Reply:Thanks Julmer, and my NOT reply was tongue in cheek. I guess I should have used a smiley face with it   I came to the conclusion that welding cast wasn't a great idea. Besides if I bridge over the pumpkin,  it'll add strength to the whole axle.  I am converting a 81 Wagoneer front D44 to a 97 TJ. Now back to building the rest of the brackets.Merry Christmas to all!Antmank7antBill W aka AntmanUp on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. God and 4 Wheelers Country!
Reply:Nickel99 rods and stick welder has worked well for me in the past. I used a old ac/dc lincoln. For a auto rearend i also suggest trussing it up for extra support. I have a friend that builds 4x4's and he uses regular 7018 for welding brackets to the housings. Hasnt had one break yet that I know of.