[martinkh]

There are so many options because there are so many uses. Spools have their purpose. But if you will EVER drive to work at dark-thirty in the morning, with black ice on the road, or if you drive in city traffic (lots of turns), or like to breeze along winding roads, or pull a trailer, a spool is a poor option that you will regret.

If you will be doing technical rock crawling, but also some street use (it isn't your only DD) you will need lockers front and rear. If it is a dedicated rock crawler, then spool the rear.

If this thing MUST have great street manners, or you will be towing, and you want the extra traction, put an eaton limited slip in. If it is safe enough on ice for GM to use them stock, then it is good enough for you. Put a locker in the front for off-road use only. With this combo, you are good for towing and serious off-roading. It will not be an ultimate rock buggy without both ends locked/spooled, but if you were a rock crawler, you would already know what you want.

I had a '77 with a welded front (lincoln locker) and open rear. Even with bald tires, I went places!! Now I have a gov-loc rear (it will be replaced with an Eaton eventually) and an open front, soon to get a Powertrax no-slip locker. I live in real mountains, with washed out logging/mining roads, off-camber snowbanks, deep ruts and the occasional mudbath where the trails cross creeks or where the snow/water accumulates on clay. With that setup, I will do as well as anyone, and if I want to drive 300 miles to get to the trails, I won't have crappy highway behavior to deal with.