to spool or not to spool?

[hillbillytoy]

I've got a 1987 truck 22-RE 5spd manual 4X4 what I want to know is what the pros and cons are of putting a spool in the rear instead of say a detroit locker

[rockcrawlintoy]

more tire wear and a little more strees on stuff

Drew

[Project/FEAROFRUNNER]

I've heard that the Detroit's will break if you happen to break an axel due to the backlash that occurs. Not sure what a spool would due in that case, they look really simple. rockcrawlintoy is right though about tire's getting chewed up with the spool they'll bark just like an ATV on the road when your turning. Detroit's will give a little when turning but they bark em too when on the gas. I'm a fan of Detroit's a buddies got one in his rig and he's never had one problem with it, until he snaps an axel then well see happens. How big of tires are you running?

[rockcrawlintoy]

how many people do u know that have broken a toy rear end. its really a non issue. but yes there is a chance of breaking the detroit if the axle breaks

[Sean]

I have read that the spool for the toy axle isnt the strongest set up. Cant offhand remember why. If you are looking at going with a spool why not just save the money and weld it instead.

[hillbillytoy]

I'm running 33x13.50-15's on 15x10 steel wheels

How do I about welding the rear?

[bowshtr]

I welded the living piss out of my Dana 70 rear in my toyota. No problems yet...

The only thing about a spooled rear taht sucks is slow speed tight manuvering. You will also notice in tight curves on the road where the rear kinda of wants to push the vehicle out of the curve. Also wet days are mighty fun.

I know several ppl with welded toy rears and havent had any major issues yet.

When you weld the rear i hear there are several ways to go about doing so. I guess to each their own in this subject. I dont know if there is an exact way to do it, but i just filled the spider gears with weld from my small mig welder then burned some high amps and several sticks to weld the spiders actually together. Just make sure you get good penetration otherwise it will blow up. Like i said before i havnt had issues yet with my welded gears and with 5.89 gears 38.5's i really put them to the test a few times and everything looks great.

Good luck

[rocktoy]

sean said:

I have read that the spool for the toy axle isnt the strongest set up. Cant offhand remember why. If you are looking at going with a spool why not just save the money and weld it instead.

Deflection under load is why they say they are kinda weak. 99% of the people ou thtere wont have a problem though. You need to be really bound up to have deflection be a problem.

FYI I've broken 4 3rds, 1 full detroit but no problems with my spooled v6 carrier running 4.88s. BTW I run beadlocked 37PBR's and have a ruthless right foot.

The only thing that has held up as well is my Aussie locker in front. I broke the pins once but its been through a ton of stock and ringed birfs and a set of 30splines and well as a few hubs.

[rockcrawlintoy]

if u use a decent spool deflection is a non issue

Drew

[87skeeter]

i welded front and rear and have had no problem with it.do have a little bark in rear.off roading is unspoke of!

[speedy]

An auto locker like a Detroit or an Aussie changes the behavior of the truck on the road quite a bit going around corners. I don't think I would want an axle that didn't unlock at all if I drove it much on the road. Although if you are hard core and don't care what it behaves like on the road or in tight manuevers, spooling is a cheaper and probably a stronger option eliminating several moving parts.