Dana 44 Mini Spool on the street.

I just put the Dana 44 with the new mini spool in (see spool or mini spool for discussion of pros and cons from forum members). Drove the XJ around town for a few hours. Mini spool is noticable but not a problem. I tend to take turns wider to minimize axle shaft wind up now, there is a bit of tire scuffing. Most noticable is that you have to treat the steering wheel like a tool, put it back where it belongs (straight ahead) after finishing a turn. It wont return to center under its own due to axle shaft wind up. Parallel parking is not a big deal and the XJ doesnt lean to one side or the other any noticable amount after parking. Cant wait for rain to see what nightmares await.

The install required pulling the differential out so the ring gear could be removed in order to slide out the spider gear cross shaft. Checked gear patterns after reassembly. As expected nothing changed. Only annoying part was the need to shorten the RHS (passenger) axle shaft on the spline end 3/16ths of an inch. Shaft bottomed on the block that locks the two sides together. Lots of cooling water and an air driven grinder shortened it in just a few minutes.

Easy job and for my XJ it was a great mod now that the saftey, recovery and sway bar disconnects are in.


John

Is there any tech?


I know a couple of people have gone from a spool to another kind of locker because of excesive tire wear. But if that doesnt bother you, then good for you.

bump for this.....keep me informed, im about to do mine

I've been runnin a Lincoln Locker in both axles for years, no problems on the street. Wouldn't have it any other way. Makes a good poor-jeeper's spool.

how is it in the rain and snow?

Not a single problem as long as you drive it like a jeep with a spool. Never noticed the rear spool in the rain, and you're reminded it's there in the snow with a little tap of the throttle, all in good fun.

I have to run the front unlocked on one side in the snow or it'll want to go straight when you turn.

yeah, thats what im planning on doing, so its ok around corners off the throttle in the snow?

As long as you remember that you have a spool its fine. I had one on mine for awhile and ya it ate tires a little but it was cheap and never broke. Even in the snow and ice it never bothered me just never down shift hard in a wet turn unless you want a fun ride.

drove daily driver welded rear for about a year. nothing but good to say. im planning on welding my 8.8 im putting in now.

BUCKYXJ said:

drove daily driver welded rear for about a year. nothing but good to say. im planning on welding my 8.8 im putting in now.

Click to expand...

the stock 8.8 carriers are known to be rather weak... FYI...