Spool VS Locker

[jabrevaya]

I'm thinking of running a spool in my Dana 44 rear instead of the traditional lockers. I was just wondering if anyone else is using a spool, and how do you like it? Pros, cons any information.
Thanks,
Jack

[Grant]

What's your setup?

Why not a Lincoln locker if you are thinking spool?

Weld it and be done

[Dazz]

Spool = 100% trail rig.
Eats up tires on the street, other wise its very afforable and effective on the trails.

[Vug]

I ran a spool (welded actually) for a while and then bought a different axle with an EZ locker in it. Having drive the same truck with both setups, I prefer the spooled setup better. It was more predictable and less jerky. I will do it again.

The downside is it will wear tires out quicker.

Why are you considering it?

I can justify the downside because I don't drive it on the street much and the spool is cheaper (and reversable, where welding isn't).

[korda]

I've got a spool in my D44. Ran my D35 welded for a while just to see what would happen before I put in the 44.

I went with a spool becuase I needed to change the carrier for the gears and couldn't pay for a Detroit or ARB at the time but wanted something other than an open carrier. I did it fully knowing I might not like it and have to take out.

It's my daily driver. I've had it in for a couple months now. Makes a little noise when turning in places like a parking lot. Pushes a little on corners. Havne't noticed any severe wear on my SSRs.

I haven't driven it in the winter yet, on of the reason I went with it is becuase I thought it would be more predictable than a locker. A couple friends have actually taken out their Detroits in favor of ARBs becuase of problems winter driving.

[Loose_Nuts_Enterprises]

I've ran spools and welded rear ends for years. You won't tell much difference on the street. Other than no jerking, popping or unloading, it's much the same. Spool is way more predictable, like Vug says. Also if any of you have ever broken a rear axle shaft while on the throttle, I'll bet you had to buy a new shaft and a new detroit. I finally noticed the pattern after about four detroits in my old D44 in the Willys.

Dan

[ashmanjeepxj]

I did 3000 miles on my d35 with my old 32s welded up. I loved it..

I had to run righer tire pressure in the rear 30-32 over the normal 22-26psi.

The higher pressure makes a smaller tire patch so you get less cherpring and hopping on turns. I drive straight on the highway so it wasent bad..

here are pics of my BFG muds after 3000 miles of a welded-spool..
They started out about even tread height as the side lugs..

I now have a welded dana 70 rear, and welded dana 60 front (untested still building)...

you can see what the high pressure/spool did to the middle tire tread...

http://www.wheelingarizona.com/forums/download.php?id=566 http://www.wheelingarizona.com/forums/download.php?id=565

tires for sale (http://www.wheelingarizona.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1143)

[BUCKYXJ]

I am welding mine. As soon as I get my gears installed. I have researched this topic a lot and here is what I have found out. People who have spools love them and don't want to change. and people that have never had them say it is a bad idea.
DIG IT

[Vug]

Originally posted by BUCKYXJ
People who have spools love them and don't want to change. and people that have never had them say it is a bad idea.
DIG IT

That's the truth!

Spool it baby!

[Georgia Mike]

Amen! A year and counting on my welded 8.25" and 33" Swampers.............. :)

[BUCKYXJ]

Okay another question are you guys running full spools or mini spools? I like the mini because that will be the weak link in the rearend and it will break before the axle does. But I am thinking weld it due to cost and effectiveness.
DIG IT!

[Vug]

I haven't put the spool in my nine inch yet but I will be going with a full spool. I considered the mini but Fore Wheeler just broke his and I decided to pony up the extra $75 up front and go full right away. His breakage cost him shafts and ring gear.

If you want to weld it go ahead. It is the cheapest route and it works the same.

[TRL WGN 1]

Welded 8.8 in mine. I tried to go mini spool, but found out (the hard way) that the mini spools for 8.8's don't work on the later model axles. (mine is a 99) So, I welded it up. Works great. Wears the tires a little more. You can feel it in tight turns, but other than that it is fine. Very predictable. No problems in ice and snow. I even have a Detroit in the front, and I drove in a lot of snowy conditions last winter. The rear causes no problems (if you are use to having a locker or posi) and the front just causes you to drive a little slower. The traction is worth is in both cases.

For the money, you can't beat the traction. If tire wear is a concern, then you may want to try something different,

The "spool=100% trail rig" is BS! .

[ashmanjeepxj]

Originally posted by BUCKYXJ
I like the mini because that will be the weak link in the rearend and it will break before the axle does.

Though I havent run a mini spool I kinda agree...
A mini spool is not as strong as a full spool and puts alot of stress on the spider gear pin. look at the pin it is much smaller in diameter then ths axle shafts...

I weld the spider gears together...like a mini spool, but then I weld the spider gears to the case. this takes stress off the center pin and makes it more of a full spool. The stress will be on the pinnion or the axle shafts...

[jabrevaya]

Guys,
Thanks for all of the info. You have been a huge help! It's sounds like the spool is the way to go. Because a few of you asked, here is the skinny on my XJ. 87 Limited, D44R, D30F, NP242, AW-4, 4.0L. Right now it's at the welder getting floors. It was one of those deals you can't pass up..$500. Anyway, I plan on a 6" Tomken Ultra Flex, Spool in the D44, and ARB in the front, 4.56 gears. Also, I will be replacing the drive shafts with CV shafts. I cut the skins, so I should be able to get the Procomp 35X12.5XR15 Xterrains I bought under it. They'll be monted on Eaton 15X8 steelies. I did a few of the basic mods to the 4.0L, you know larger TB and spacer, K&N. I got front and rear bumpers from Truckfarm, and seats from Mastercraft. That should be enough for now. Thanks again.
Jack

[BUCKYXJ]

sounds like your on the right track. That is almost what I called my new XJ project

[woody]

44 with full spool, 4.56:1 and 33" here

Ran it for awhile in my MJ and now in the XJ...haven't broke a stock shaft (yet) and I aint tender.

It adds a bit more tire wear and it's hard to be discreet on the pavement making sharp turns, but it's (better than) excellent off road

[xj92]

The last time I had a detroit in the rear I noticed that sometimes the rear would slide to the side while off-road a lot easier than normal, which is why I've been saving up for an ARB this time around. Do you guys notice anything like that? Is that just a side-effect of having a locker that you get used to, or is my experience unique?

[no xj]

when you have power two both rear wheels it is easier to have it slide to the side. I have run a spool for over a year now and wouldn't have it any other way.A spool may not be a good choice in a DD but it works great on tough trials and you don't have to worry about it not working when you need it.

[xj92]

Does anybody make a spool or mini-spool for the Chrysler 8.25 axle? Since reading this thread I've been thinking it might be worth it to try it out since it's so cheap. A mini-spool just replaces the spider gears and you don't have to know how to setup gears to do that, right? I checked ringpinion.com, reiderracing.com, and 4wheelparts.com but haven't found anything for the 8.25 yet.

[azxjman]

As far as I know you can not get a spool for the 8.25 diff I would either weld it or put a powertrax in there.

[Phil]

I'm bringing another one back to the top!
I'm planning a D44 rear, pretty set on 4.88s with 35" MT/Rs. Since I'd likely need a new carrier, unless I find a 44 that's already geared, I've been thinking about going with a Detroit, or a spool and putting the difference in price towards alloy axleshafts.
Is the tire wear usually like the photos Ashman put up? Can I reduce it by rotating my tires more often? Are there any downsides other than tire wear? It looks like that's about it, to me.

[magoo117]

I have full spool in my nine.It's my DD and I wouldn't change it.I use BFG A-T's on the street and Swampers on the trail.I keep the air pressure at 25# on the street with the A-T's and they are wearing even and very well.

[bbaker80]

I'm running a mini spool and alloy shafts in my 44. I'm planning on going with a full spool when I regear, but for now with the 32's I'm not really concerned. Any recomendations brand wise for a full spool? I got my mini from Randy's R&P, and the service was excelent, but where would you go for a spool?

[woody]

"Can I reduce it by rotating my tires more often? Are there any downsides other than tire wear? It looks like that's about it, to me."

Sure can, but it'll still be wearing them out more evenly. I think it's more of a driving style/habit thing... I DD mine 350 miles a week with a spool for 1+ years in a 5spd MJ and 7 months in an auto XJ... If one takes LOTS of sharp, slow turns on paved roads, I'd think the rubber would wear off sooner than one who does lots of straight line or highway driving...mileage, temp & pressure has some to do with it as well, but mainly the frequency of sharp paved turns.

I dunno how a NP242 would react in full-time mode with a spool or a locker.

I'm pretty sure Jegs carrys both full & mini's for the 44. I did an (steel) full since I needed a low-gear carrier, and would have been more $ to buy a Lock-rite etc...and a new hollow open carrier. (I didn't have time to mess with hunting up used stuff) I got mine from Desert Fabrication in Apache Junction AZ, but dunno if they still are in biz.

At $200 for the spool vs $450-+ for a Detroit, your piggy bank is awful close to a set of Moser or Dutchman alloy shafts...

[Safari Ary]

I finally got my spool working in the XJ yesterday, drove it around the block and couldn't stand it on the street, drove it all over my yard and absolutely loved the added traction. So what did I decide to do?? I just turn the spool off when I'm on the road :D ;) The little pshhhh sound it makes when it turns off is pretty freakin cool too. I love my ARB! :D

[magoo117]

ARB=cha ching...Honestly I couldnt justify spending all that money on an ARB.I've seen them brake,I've never seen a spool brake.

[Phil]

I've contacted a couple PBB vendors (although I'd rather send my money to a NAXJA vendor) and it looks like a spool would be about $150, vs $450 or so for a Detroit. $300 could be alloys, or another pair of tires to wear down on the street, or, I dunno, wheeling funds. I think I might've sold myself on a spool.

Ary, for the price of one ARB setup, I can probably replace my worn down tires 3 times.

Can you go wrong with a spool from any major company? They seem pretty simple to make.

[magoo117]

I bought mine off of E-Bay,it was something like $150- delivered.I forget what name brand it was,it was a circle track company.