I'm new to this mudding and i was woundering what the downsides to welding the gears?Also does anybody make a spool for a dana30?

Any Information Would Be Great  

Spools off road are greatly over rated. They are a poor choice because they increase strain on axles and do not allow for different rolling radius in turn and can increase your turning radius because something has to skid in a turn either front tires or rear because it wants to go straight on a firm surface. Spools are at their worst on a front drive axle too. Spools belong on a drag strip and have little value elsewhere.  

I have to agree with Snoman on this one, spools and welded gears are over rated. You're better off with a selectable locker, you can turn them on or off, and work the same as a spool when locked and open differential for the trip home.  

it sound like your looking fo something cheap and simple wich would be welding your gears or spool but i too agree that they are no good for anything other than dragstrip, i would say go with a full time locker that allows some tire speed difference when turning by some sort of racheting mechinisim built into it like a detroit locker cuz all the other selactable lockers are kinda pricey  

spools aren't bad in the front on the trail or the hwy when they're used with manual locking hubs. leave one hub unlocked on the trail untill ya need em locked then get out and unlock one after the obstacle, wah lah... linclon selectable at your service.

they stink on the hwy, and wear out tires and parts in the rear. weld em if its all ya can afford or it's only a trail rig. expect problems to follow.  

The problem with spools and Lincoln lockers up front is that Ujoints are not constant velocity in turns and this together with the tires have different rolling radius in turns when steering can lead to severe bind on front axle on surfaces with good traction. Also maximum traction occurs when tires can rotate at proper speed for direct surface contact and with a spool on front axle the tires will constantly be skidding in turns loosing traction and guiding ability. On a slick surface guiding can be a real handful. Serious offroad equipment  like loader and backhoes and farm tractor do not have spools or Detroit's because there are not best solution here.  

i'd hold off on the welder! just run -whatcha- brung until you can install a selectable locker! besides, half the fun of wheelin is gettin stuck and ruining your new shoes in the mud hookin up a chain!