Spools up front? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ROAD DOG · 01-05-2004, 12:27 AM

Has anybody used a full spool in thier front diff???
For road manners you could lock just one hub and have a three wheel drive. And when off road you could lock both hubs for 100% all the time.Mini spools are frickin cheap, thats why I was wondering

Destructo · 01-05-2004, 12:31 AM

It won't turn worth a crap on the trails, not good for the snow at all, as a matter of fact dangerous. If your going to put any traction device up front lockers are ok if your not driving in snow and such, best it a selectable locker. spooled and welded diffs I feel should not be used for vehicle to be driven on the street often.

1969 GMC · 01-05-2004, 02:29 AM

its never good for a front axle to have only one wheel locked, and to drive it like that.

since you most likely have a dana 44 front, just get a used power lock, they are cheap even with the rebuild and diff fluid.

6869704X4 · 01-05-2004, 01:14 PM

More chance of a broken axle with a locked diff. D44s are not too strong. I put a posi in mine so it would have some give to it.

wildwood · 01-05-2004, 09:26 PM

I know guys that are doing it just like you said. Keeping only one hub locked at a time. You can never use it on road. Off road you keep only one wheel locked til you get to a situation where you need full lock. It works great. You'll need a D60 like Chevy guy said. The problems Are: you have to get out of your truck way too often, you break stuff, no 4x4 on road, and you cannot turn worth sh*t when both fronts are locked. The benifit: Absolutly kick ass traction in mud and on rock. I've seen this settup in action and it definately works if you don't mind trading off all the other stuff.

In my opinion if you still have D44, you should fork out the $200 (introductory price) and get the Aussie locker. It's supposed to be the most front freindly locker out there. Check this link:

https://offroadlockers.com/index.html

JEsterly · 01-06-2004, 03:46 PM

ok this is a stupid question, but forgive me because im new to having to lock hubs.. Ive always had wranglers.. but now when I want to take my burb 4x4, and say I want to lock only one hub..does it make a diff which one?

JEsterly · 01-06-2004, 03:53 PM

See now thats kinda what i figured, but reading this post made me think about the "3 wheel" drive

I havent been able to go 4wheeling with it yet, too much body work to finish first.

ROAD DOG · 01-06-2004, 08:41 PM

I just started this post becuase I have some buddies that swear by it. They say they've burnt out clutches before snapping axels.

6869704X4 · 01-06-2004, 08:42 PM

What happens when you unlock one hub with a locker in the diff is all the torque is transmitted to the locked side. Possible breakage there. Some wheelers with locked front ends will sometimes unlock one hub to get around a tight corner. Most likely they take it easier on the skinny pedal when they do.

JEsterly · 01-07-2004, 09:37 AM

Ok but If I dont have a locker in the front, its safe?

wildwood · 01-07-2004, 12:54 PM

If you don't have a locker or spool in front and you lock only one side, the axle on the free side will spin freely providing no added traction. You would basically still be in 2WD.

1969 GMC · 01-07-2004, 07:54 PM

it is confusing, but unless you are sitting on perfectly level ground, then a 2wd truck ISN'T 2wd, and a 4wd truck isn't 4wd. a 2wd truck is actually 1wd, and a 4wd is actually a 2wd. This is because an open diff will transfer power to the wheel that spins easiest. If you are offroading and pop a wheel in the air, then it will spin and the other won't.

BUT, if you are running a posi, locker, or spool, then it changes things because it forces both axleshafts to spin. So a 2wd with a posi is a true 2wd. a 4wd with a locker in the rearend and a posi in the frontend is a true 4wd. a 4wd with a locker in the rearend and an open diff up front is 3wd. kinda weird, isn't it?

to add on to what wildwood said, if you put a 4wd truck into 4wd and only locked one front hub, then the axleshafts will still be turning inside the axlehousing. if the front diff is open, then only the unlocked side will spin. If you have a locker in the rear and a posi up front and did this, you would effectively have a 3wd.

TexSparks · 01-07-2004, 09:34 PM

Put a Detroit Locker in the front and forget about it. Oh yeah, stay off the streets in 4wd.

01-05-2004, 12:27 AM	#1
ROAD DOG Top of the foodchain Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 3.5 miles from Mile Hi Stadium Posts: 127	Spools up front? Has anybody used a full spool in thier front diff??? For road manners you could lock just one hub and have a three wheel drive. And when off road you could lock both hubs for 100% all the time.Mini spools are frickin cheap, thats why I was wondering __________________ 1970 K-10 4x4 1975 Jeep CJ-5 4x4 1990 Jeep XJ 4x4 Smell the Magic!

01-05-2004, 02:29 AM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	its never good for a front axle to have only one wheel locked, and to drive it like that. since you most likely have a dana 44 front, just get a used power lock, they are cheap even with the rebuild and diff fluid. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-05-2004, 01:14 PM	#4
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	More chance of a broken axle with a locked diff. D44s are not too strong. I put a posi in mine so it would have some give to it. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

01-05-2004, 09:26 PM	#5
wildwood Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 110	I know guys that are doing it just like you said. Keeping only one hub locked at a time. You can never use it on road. Off road you keep only one wheel locked til you get to a situation where you need full lock. It works great. You'll need a D60 like Chevy guy said. The problems Are: you have to get out of your truck way too often, you break stuff, no 4x4 on road, and you cannot turn worth sh*t when both fronts are locked. The benifit: Absolutly kick ass traction in mud and on rock. I've seen this settup in action and it definately works if you don't mind trading off all the other stuff. In my opinion if you still have D44, you should fork out the $200 (introductory price) and get the Aussie locker. It's supposed to be the most front freindly locker out there. Check this link: https://offroadlockers.com/index.html __________________ You can't get out if ya don't get in

01-06-2004, 03:46 PM	#6
JEsterly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NC Posts: 13	ok this is a stupid question, but forgive me because im new to having to lock hubs.. Ive always had wranglers.. but now when I want to take my burb 4x4, and say I want to lock only one hub..does it make a diff which one? __________________ 88 YJ 83 burb 3/4 4x4 diesel 97 grand cherokee orvis

01-05-2004, 12:31 AM	#2
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	It won't turn worth a crap on the trails, not good for the snow at all, as a matter of fact dangerous. If your going to put any traction device up front lockers are ok if your not driving in snow and such, best it a selectable locker. spooled and welded diffs I feel should not be used for vehicle to be driven on the street often.

01-06-2004, 03:53 PM	#7
JEsterly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NC Posts: 13	See now thats kinda what i figured, but reading this post made me think about the "3 wheel" drive I havent been able to go 4wheeling with it yet, too much body work to finish first. __________________ 88 YJ 83 burb 3/4 4x4 diesel 97 grand cherokee orvis

01-06-2004, 08:41 PM	#8
ROAD DOG Top of the foodchain Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 3.5 miles from Mile Hi Stadium Posts: 127	I just started this post becuase I have some buddies that swear by it. They say they've burnt out clutches before snapping axels. __________________ 1970 K-10 4x4 1975 Jeep CJ-5 4x4 1990 Jeep XJ 4x4 Smell the Magic!

01-06-2004, 08:42 PM	#9
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	What happens when you unlock one hub with a locker in the diff is all the torque is transmitted to the locked side. Possible breakage there. Some wheelers with locked front ends will sometimes unlock one hub to get around a tight corner. Most likely they take it easier on the skinny pedal when they do. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

01-07-2004, 09:37 AM	#10
JEsterly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NC Posts: 13	Ok but If I dont have a locker in the front, its safe? __________________ 88 YJ 83 burb 3/4 4x4 diesel 97 grand cherokee orvis

01-07-2004, 12:54 PM	#11
wildwood Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 110	If you don't have a locker or spool in front and you lock only one side, the axle on the free side will spin freely providing no added traction. You would basically still be in 2WD. __________________ You can't get out if ya don't get in

01-07-2004, 07:54 PM	#12
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	it is confusing, but unless you are sitting on perfectly level ground, then a 2wd truck ISN'T 2wd, and a 4wd truck isn't 4wd. a 2wd truck is actually 1wd, and a 4wd is actually a 2wd. This is because an open diff will transfer power to the wheel that spins easiest. If you are offroading and pop a wheel in the air, then it will spin and the other won't. BUT, if you are running a posi, locker, or spool, then it changes things because it forces both axleshafts to spin. So a 2wd with a posi is a true 2wd. a 4wd with a locker in the rearend and a posi in the frontend is a true 4wd. a 4wd with a locker in the rearend and an open diff up front is 3wd. kinda weird, isn't it? to add on to what wildwood said, if you put a 4wd truck into 4wd and only locked one front hub, then the axleshafts will still be turning inside the axlehousing. if the front diff is open, then only the unlocked side will spin. If you have a locker in the rear and a posi up front and did this, you would effectively have a 3wd. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-07-2004, 09:34 PM	#13
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Put a Detroit Locker in the front and forget about it. Oh yeah, stay off the streets in 4wd. __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)



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