Mini spool is cheaper because it has less parts. It's also weaker than a full spool because you are relying on the strength of the OE case (much like a lockrite).



The mini spool parts are stronger than the case itself ... so guess where your weak link went



Personally not a fan of them for a DD ... but that's only an opinion. Not saying dangerous, dumb, or whatever. I just think there are better options.



Joe

 

The wrangler that I was referring to has a full spool in a trussed 9" with cromo shafts. Don't need to worry about breaking that. You are correct about the downfalls of the mini spool compared to the a full spool.

As far as svt cobra posted; If you understand the limitations of a 4x4 on the road and don't try to drive it like a mustang... Any mature experienced driver could somehow safely navigate the roads, even with a spool. 4x4s aren't sports cars. Don't drive them that way.

 

i understand the mini spools weaker then the full spool... but the mini spool fits ANY gears... the full spool has a carrier break at i think it was 3.73 or 3.92 or something like that... ive got 3.55's so if i liked it and then went to 4.88's then id have to buy another one... the mini spool would go with me... and plus were talkin a 4.0 inline six here... not a built v8...

 

when turning corners at any speed.. but say a sharp corner... and speed limit is 35... in normal rear.. all 4 tires will grip... with a locked dif.... one tire will automaticly start spining..... In other words.. you might find yourself on side of road in ditch real real quick.... or worse.. head on into somone eles...its a very bad idea...

 

I do agree with you on this. If the mini spool can take it. They are a much easier and cheaper option. And yes the mighty 4.0 would have trouble breaking many axle parts.

 

actually spools along with all lockers i prefer in the snow or rain, open rearends still lock up sometimes and kick out i would rather have a vehicle that i know will kick out and be prepared to counter steer than a vehicle that randomly does it

 

agreed... not to sound like ive had years of nascar driving experiance but the rearend kicking out to me really isnt that hard to handle... its the people that freak out and dont know what to do when it does that has the accidents... the people that do it on purpose and learn how to actually control it (drifting) are the ones that wont have any problems... i honestly feel like the people most having accidents are the ones who "freak out" when something happens thats not suppose to... or "bad drivers are good drivers when something bad happens" i just made up that quote so dont steal it... maybe ill sell it to hallmark or something one day...

 

I say run what you like- effectively a spool or a welded diff is detrimental to your differential regardless of how you play with it. Be it dd or offroad toy. I have in the past run a welded and a spooled diff on a number of vehicles , and in the end it is still a matter of what YOU are willing to tolerate!!!

 

In terms of strain on the drivetrain components, how much worse do you think a spool is than a locker? In turns, its obvious, but if you were wheeling, jammed a tire on a rock, and punched the accelerator (I know that's not smart, just setting up a situation..) which would cause breakage first? or would it be the same? please, answers from experience

 

well see when i drive my jeep on the street, its not in 4wd and therefore is Rear wheel drive. so how exactly is driving my 4x4 on the street and my rear wheel drive car different?

Not to mention, the original question was more one of opinion so why must you attack the other posters for having different opinions than you?

 

ok so i dont get flamed for "inexperience" my 93 xj has a spool in the rear been in their for over a year i drive it in town often if u cant handle getting sideways in moist enviroments, then dont install one. that being said i love having a full time lock, i have gone thru and over more things that higher lifted and better tired cherokee's could not if u are on a budget and want tru positive engagement then buy one if not buy a detroit locker

 

well um a mini spool is allways locked, so even if u are in 2wd the front tires allways turn the same so when u turn corners u will have problems

 

well aware of how a spool works.
now given all that talk of the backend kicking out due to the spool in bad conditions, it seems that the intended use was for in the rearend, not the front.
therefore a 4x4 on the road in 2wd with a locked rear end and a car really arent that far apart.
not trying to flame just sayin.

 

the guy u reply'd too said not to lock the front ... i was commenting on that sorry for the confusion and yes spool in the rear is fun

 

no problem, i agree spool in the front is a bad idea. but like i said i was referring to locking the rearend.