Off Roading Forums banner

Mini spools?

676 views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Jeeper99xj 
#1 ·
Anybody ever run one? I was talking to a buddy today and he was saying that a spool or welding has it's pluses compared to a locker since they are very perdictable compared to lockers which you nver know when they are and arn't going to lock up. I'm a little wearry about either a spool or locker in the winter though. I like the idea of being able to buy a mini spool in my 8.8 for $90 and then if i don't like it i can just pull it out. I can't imagine it taking more than 2 hours to take one in and out of a c-clip alxe. I pulled my axle shafts out of my old d35 and one of the spiders fell out so i had to put it back in. I could probably do that at school on the hoist in an hour if i busted my butt. So what's the general concenious? I don't drive my jeep much any more, i'm trying just to drive to school and back every day and steel the parents rides the rest of the time. So go for it or save my money for a lunch box locker?

BarrelRoll
 
#2 ·
I personally wouldn't run a spool if you do any amount of street driving. It wears the hell out of the tires and is real harsh on the driveline. More predictable than a locker? That's a toss-up. I've never had a question of whether or not my Lock-Right is working, nor have I seen a Detroit not work (unless it was broken!)

Two hours to swap it out? Do you know that the spool takes the place of your carrier, and therefore would require that you swap the ring gear over (or have a spare open carrier set up), then recheck the gear pattern?


Yes, you may be able to buy a spool for $90 or weld it for the cost of wire and argon, but I'd save for a lunchbox locker.
 
#3 ·
I put a mini-spool in my 9" and I love it. It always pushes you into the corners, and the back wheels squeal going around corners because there is no differentiation. It squeals less with the Swampers than when I was running all-terrains. It took me about an hour to put in the mini-spool in the 9". I got it from Summit for around $50. Granted, I don't drive my Jeep all the time, but I have no problems with the road manners.

Ken
 
#4 ·
mini spools replace the spiders not the entire carrier so it's just like putting a lock right in. I don't want to weld my spiders because i can't un weld them if i can't stand them.

BarrelRoll
 
#5 ·
That's exactly the reason I went with the mini-spool. My idea is that in the future I'll upgrade to 35 spline axles and a full spool, but I wanted to see how the CJ would handle with the spool first. For the money it was a great mod. Off-road traction is unbelievable.

Ken
 
#6 ·
I always thought mini spools were just smaller, lighter versions of regular spools. In that case, I'd just be concerned about road manners. I like my Lock-Right because it's not as harsh as a welded or spooled diff. Yes, it clicks and bangs but I'm not scrubbing tires on the street and tearing up my driveway (my landlord would kick my arse!!!)
 
#7 ·
Andy.......I'm feeling a little pride at your comment. A year ago it took you two weeks to do a front bearing or something. Now you understand what a mini spool is and have no problems tackling the problem. (2 hrs would be 1 and 1/2 hrs to the plus side)
Give you mom a high five for putting up with you
and tell her to smack you for Dave.
The worse thing is you know she will.

Good job dude............you're getting there.
BTW..........Todd called me on the 2way nextel today and asked if I knew anyone who wanted to buy his jeep. (for real)
 
#8 ·
Thanks dave, mom slaped me. As for my speed it's getting better, i replaced the auto teachers pinion bearing in under 50 min. Mom and i both want to know why tod wants to sell his jeep? How bout you open up the jeep room on pal talk?
 
#10 ·
I have been running a spool for years and can say that I doen't ware tires out any faster then anyone else. I like the cost and simplness of a spool so much that that is the way I will go in my wifes Jeep someday. As with any locker it will take a little getting use to at first in the snow but as far as handling bad. No just differnt at first. Now putting one in the front is another story I would not recomend that to anyone! Let us know what you do and how it works.
 
#11 ·
I'm really convinced, i'm selling my duster and windjammer tommrow and when i got home i'll call up summit and have a mini spool on it's way.

Goddogs Where are you in WI? I'm about 45 min. south of the IL WI border pretty close to the lake.

BarrelRoll
 
#13 ·
i'm going to drive my friend's bronco on 3/4 ton axles w/ a welded rear tomrow and see if i like it and if i do i'm ordering one up with the money i got from selling top pieces.

BarrelRoll
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top