Not much to a spool, any manufacturer should be pretty equal. Call Doctor Diff he has great prices and smart guy.

Honestly for 33s I would just build the stock Dana 30 and get a 8.8 Ford but the 44/9 combo is definitely a better setup if you want to go bigger or not worry about breaking.

 

Ok. That's useful. Thanks for the help.

 

I have ran 9" Fords in race cars for many years and with them have had very good luck with "Strange" spools and axles along with "Moser" both. These were in drag race cars over 1000hp and dirt track in the 750-800hp range.


For a 33-35" tire I run a Chy 8.25 29 spline/D30 on my XJ using Detroit Lockers in both.

 

Based on what you both have said, it sounds like for my needs I'll be okay running my stock Dana 30 with Detroit lockers front and back. I wanted to avoid using lockers and wanted to opt for spools but it seems like more than what I need if I'm only running 33x12.5's and want to avoid a full axle replacement. My only concern is durability.

 

Thank you. Forgive me if this a dumb question but how do I know whether I have a Dana 30 or 35 and what drive ratio?

When I look online Detroit lockers are specific to either Dana 30 or 35, and are specifically compatible to specific drive ratios.

 

Your front axle is a Dana 30 high pinion. Your rear is a Dana 35 only of you have ABS brakes. If you don't have ABS brakes then you have a Chrysler 8.25 rear axle which is a good unit and has the larger shafts and 29 spline axles vs the older 1996 and older cherokees having the 27 spline

 

Judging by this photo, mine is the 8.25....

 

When I go online to search for Detroit lockers, I notice they say they're feared for 3.54 and lower, or 3.73 and higher. From what I understand the ratio in my jeep is 3.55. Am I missing something, or will a 3.54 and lower setup work with my axles? Or should go with 3.73 and higher?

 

Your going. To want to regear your axles to 4:56 or 4:88 so you'll want the 3.73 and higher

 

Just curious, how do you plan on wheelin this rig that makes you question the strength of a Detroit locker? There are many, many other pieces that are going to explode before the locker even bats and eye. It sounds like you have a lot of research to do before you dive right into this.

 

I'll be replacing my driveshafts and any other necessary parts. I began this thread initially because I was curious about spools.

 

I've heard that a few times. I'm adding a performance package that will increase my torque by around 30 or 40% as well. I'm replacing my driveshafts with a heavier duty unit and a SYE.

 

And as you can see, I've began researching everything before even beginning the project.

 

Eventually, I doubt there will be any OEM parts on the vehicle, but that's going to take me about a year to complete. My goal is to have everything upgraded.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. This was extremely helpful and informative.