Mini spool or Locker?
 

I am looking to upgrade the open diff in my 71 GMC. I want to beable to drive this truck through anything but still beable to drive it on the roads, but I don't want to spend a bunch of money either. Is there anyone out there running a mini spool and driving their vehicle daily on the street? Or should I just save up and buy a locker? If I go with a locker what brand/style would you recommend?

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

Sounds to me like you need to go do some serious junk yard looking. A good find would be a 14 bolt from a 1 ton single wheel like a chevy military truck. They had 4.56's with the Eaton Gov-lock. There were lots of civy units too.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

Is the gov lock similar to what is in my 2007 chevy duramax?

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

You really don't want to run a spool on the street they are just a complete pain. They are purely racing stuff....

If you want max traction a Detriot Locker is the way to go, but they can be clunk on the street too. It's managable especially with an automatic, but you will know that it's back there.
Forget Gov-locks, they are NOT a locking device. It is simply a "variable pressure" clutch-type Posi-traction differential. The small ones are complete junk, the bigger 14 bolt units are stronger, but there are limits to them too.

There is no "cheap way" that will take any kind of abuse.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

Detroit Locker.Just drift your sharp turns and go light till straight when starting off making a turn.The CUCVs used lockers,not the Gov-Loc.The Gov-Loc in a 14-bolt is a good unit for what it`s designed for...on road use.They are a ball-ramp design and it takes wheel speed to engage.The trick is just enough to engage but not so hard you break something banging it in at higher wheel speed.This is no good to off road where you get up against stuff and need both wheels "now".I have one in my 3/4t Suburban with 35s.I like to do all I can in 2wd before relying on 4wd and it really helps.When in mud and it stops moving,I just spin the wheel at about 1500 rpm,then it bites and I get to churnin`my way out.It doesn`t disengage when you stop the wheel.You can rock it or whatever technique it takes.But,if you want both wheels full time so you can walk through it all,the locker is king.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

I've got a mini spool in my '67 2wd, and it's terrible on the street. It chirps the tires when you go around corners and it's harder to steer and park. It's also hard on tires, so I'm going to take it out and put my spiders back in it I think, since i can't afford a locker, but I think there's some lockers out there that are quiet on the street and stuff, Powertrax makes one I think.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

I would say no to a spool unless its srictly offroad truck or a truck your gonna race at the strip.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

I have 4:10 and locker in a DD for the past 6yrs and have had no trouble and what is nice is the locker works in forward or reverse.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

What about the Tru track (gear style) for the rear?

I have heard of people running detroit locker in the rear and a tru track in the front. Seems to be a popular combo.

But I am also budget limited (cheap)...... and looking for a less expensive way.

Re: Mini spool or Locker?
 

I ran a Tru-Trac in a Dana 44 front years ago. It was great, but I have never even driven something with one in the rear.....clueless
But you aren't likely to save any money that way. Most any aftermarket differential is going to cost $450-$600