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Author Topic: Mini spool up front?  (Read 8973 times)

Offline Pushrod

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Mini spool up front?
« on: January 23, 2008, 02:59:17 am »
Anybody have any good or bad experiences with a mini spool up front?
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Junkie 77 Stepside AKA "The Sanford Machine"
81 Malibu 350 and a 4 speed

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2008, 07:21:06 am »
Are you crazy? lol You won't be able to steer!
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Offline FlatBlack77

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2008, 08:11:50 am »
Quote from: VileZambonie on January 23, 2008, 07:21:06 am
Are you crazy? lol You won't be able to steer!

Exactly my thoughts...nothing wrong with being crazy though :P
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Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2008, 08:32:58 am »
Pushrod, By design, it can't work. The inside tire travels a shorter distance than the outside one while you are making a turn. With a spool, both wheels would be traveling the same distance, thus you won't be able steer.  Lorne
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Offline xtremjeepn

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2008, 09:16:48 am »
You will be able to steer just fine........after at least one of the u-joints fail ;D   A spool in the front is VERY VERY hard on u-joints and really makes it hard to steer on or off road.

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Offline Monzter

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2008, 01:29:46 am »
I welded up the front diff in my 76 GMC after blowing out the side & spider gears. I could not steer it, even in loose sand. If I started from a stop with the wheels turned it would straighten out the steering instantly. I've seen guys run spools & welded front diffs with Dana 60s & hydro steering, but the stock power steering, especially if it's got a Dana 44 wont cut it. I'd get either a posi unit, Detroit, Loc-Rite or a selectable locker like an ARB, Eaton E-Locker or OX Track for the front.
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Offline KojaK 79k10

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2008, 03:03:54 pm »
Quote from: Monzter on January 24, 2008, 01:29:46 am
I welded up the front diff in my 76 GMC after blowing out the side & spider gears. I could not steer it, even in loose sand. If I started from a stop with the wheels turned it would straighten out the steering instantly. I've seen guys run spools & welded front diffs with Dana 60s & hydro steering, but the stock power steering, especially if it's got a Dana 44 wont cut it. I'd get either a posi unit, Detroit, Loc-Rite or a selectable locker like an ARB, Eaton E-Locker or OX Track for the front.

I have done the same in a D44 it did somewhat ok off road but no where near driveable on the street. i broke tons of u joints. for the money in u joints i could have bought a nice Detroit locker. i would get a Detroit locker or even better some type of selectable locker and just save the headache.
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Offline jonkmbll89

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2008, 06:21:13 pm »
Quote from: xtremjeepn on January 23, 2008, 09:16:48 am
You will be able to steer just fine........after at least one of the u-joints fail ;D   A spool in the front is VERY VERY hard on u-joints and really makes it hard to steer on or off road.



One of my buddies had lockers in the front of his jeep. He left the hubs unlocked so he could steer and when he needed 4 wheel drive he would lock the hubs up.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2008, 06:38:54 pm »
Why do you want to do this anyway? Do you have an LSD or Locker in the rear already?
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Pushrod

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2008, 09:11:22 pm »
My brother in law has a 77 4wd he like to go muddin in. He was askin if there was any cheaper way of makin the front end of his truck spin both of em at the same time. I looked into it and found some mini spools. I know how a mini spool can affect a 2wd vehicle on the street but I don't know much for the front end of a 4wd machine other than routine stuff.

I know he wouldn't lock the hubs on the street. Usually leaves it in 2wd till he gets stuck or the path makes him worry.
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Junkie 77 Stepside AKA "The Sanford Machine"
81 Malibu 350 and a 4 speed

Offline Monzter

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Re: Mini spool up front?
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2008, 01:34:04 am »
Cheapest right way to get both tires spinnin' would be to install a Loc-Rite locker.
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