locker or spool

[chevystudz7105]

just wondering  whats the up's and down's of say a detroit locker vs a full or mini spool for a 14 bolt ff.  i need to get something for my 14 bolt ff before i put it in the truck that way im locked front and rear and not just front, and im not sure what i should go with.  before when i looked on ebay i could pick up a brand new mini spool for 100 + shipping but that guy is no longer posting those on ebay.  i can still find them for around 150 tho.  im kind of still leaning towards one of these cuz they are a simple install.    but whats everyones thought.

[Hammerlane]

30' of welding wire.. bout $10
buddy with a welder - 6 pack

different lockers will let you lock/unlock depending on what you get -  good for trail rigs,crawlers,DD  allows you to adjust to the situation at hand.
can't unlock a spool, you have a distinct weight advantage though. -  set it and forget it - bogger.

depends on what you intend on doing with the rig..  DD, rock crawler, bogger, trail rig etc..

[Bowtie972]

Like Hammerlane said Depends on what your gonna do with it.......

If your gonna street drive alot a locker might be the better choice, a little harder on the pocketbook though,  a spool is tough and affordable, but not too street friendly.  Either one is pretty much the same to install.  I have used both and they worked equally as well.  You could weld it, I have welded many in my Figure 8 cars, depends on what you want to spend pretty much.  

Just a note if your gonna weld it, I was taught to preheat the carrier with a torch, weld it, and then wrap it with pipe insulation,
for a slow cool down.   Do not cool off with water! I have been doing  it this way for years with zero trouble.

[millser]

weld it get another axle cut the 8 bolt flang of so if you want to drive on street bolt that one on if you want to bog it bolt the axle back in 5 minet job

[slymer]

I run a spool in my samurai and I drive it on the street. But it only weighs 2200# so tire wear is not too bad.

[7387chevynut]

I am looking at installing a mini spool in my 79 GMC's 12 bolt rear, and my truck would be a street/trail rig.

For your 14 bolt your going to be looking at 350+ for Detroit,

150/200 for a Mini Spool or Full Spool.

Key question is this going to be a daily driver vehicle you want to put this in??

Like Slymer said....he's spooled his rig, and drives it on the street................I would look on the INTERNET..........and see what other guys say about running a SPOOL on the street.........the handling characteristics arent all that bad.........and remember some Muscle car guys run spools in their cars on the street.

If you keep your tires properly aired up.....tire wear......and tire Screeching (from turning corners) should be minimal.

Welding a Differential is a one way street.........once its done....theres no undoing it. Unless you swap out the whole carrier assembly..........and pray the weld holds up & dont break.

At least with a locker or Spool..........you can take it back out if you dont like it.

[chevystudz7105]

sorry i forgot to mention this is going in the muddin truck.  it does get drove on the street some but not alot. 

[MR NASTY]

pretty good idea millser never thought of that

[Hammerlane]

Just a note if your gonna weld it, I was taught to preheat the carrier with a torch, weld it, and then wrap it with pipe insulation,
for a slow cool down.   Do not cool off with water! I have been doing  it this way for years with zero trouble.

^^ Pay attention to this if you weld yours^^    it does/will make a substantial difference.
most carriers are cast, and the gears are tempered, the heat from welding will make them brittle.. cooling slowly is the key to a strong assembly.

[chevystudz7105]

i wont weld the rearend. 

[millser]

wilded my 89 10 +years ago and neaver had a probium with it all was had 44s on it

[Chevy Racer]

welded my front after stripping the spiders out.  Preheated, 9018 stick and a lot of juice held everything I can thorw at it so far.  and I throw everything I got every time lol.

[BIG DOG]

welded  my bogger  and i drive on street           just make a little wider turns or easy turns            my truck has been 3/4 parades   sounds like your minds made up  get r done       i'll give ya 20 bucks for your old carrier and spiders.

[chevystudz7105]

its going to be a lil before i get anything for this axle cuz i dont have the money right now.  ifi  end up going with a spool ill get ahold of you about the carrier and spiders  but im not for sure if im gunna geto ne of those or just a mini spool or what.

[BIG DOG]

no biggy   i was just gonna put it on the shelve     kinda thing   

[Ranger Dave]

locker in front and spool in back,  on or  off road

[chevystudz7105]

my front axle is all set i got a detroit tru trac for that  now i just need to get something for the rear axle, but money is a lil tight at the moment. 

[Hammerlane]

i wont weld the rearend. 

Curious as to why..

[chevystudz7105]

ive seen to many rearends blow right out after welding then i have seen hold together.  id rather spend a lil more money right now and get something that i know will work just fine.  just a personal preference i guess

[Hammerlane]