ok i put this on the cj forum because ill be working on a cj.
OK #1: What is the difrence between a full spool and a mini-spool? i see that they look diffrent but mechanicly i have no clue. i know how a spool works but not the mini.
#2 if i put a spool in the front and unlock the hubs the steering should be ok right? i mean it should turn ok
a full spool replaces your carrier completely, and your ring gear gets bolted on to the "full spool" how the spool works is that its a solid piece of metal that is round shaped and splined at the ends for your shafts, this basically connects both your axles completely at ALL times, with no to of "give". where as the mini spool you reuse your carrier and out come the spider gears and in go your mini spool, and now you have a locked up frontend. I am pretty sure it acts the same as the "full-spool" with no give not too sure though.
#2 ya you would have no problems steering as long as your hubs were in the un'locked position. I hope I explained it as best as possible if not someone here will help out better.
"drive it like you stole it!"
1979 Jeep CJ-5 mild built 360AMC. 4-inch lift. lengthened shock towers, revolver shackles, rancho shocks. 4.27 gears wide track dana 30 w/ lock rite and 44 rear lincoln locked. full cage, T-18 trans, dana 20 . 35" X-terrain pro-comp tires. warn hubs. heavy duty steering knuckles, heavy duty tie rod and drag link. made my own rear bumper and...
Posts: 251 | Location: Rialto, California | Registered: July 21, 2003
360 is right. Both types of spools lock the axles together full spool connects to the ring gear and the mini replaces the spiders. I'm not 100% sure but I believe the full spool is stronger than the mini.You are right asyou can unlock one side to turn however if your like me you needed to unlock the other side. I'd look into a locker. if $ is a problem then go with a lunchbox locker. I run a full spool in the rear and a detroit in the front. And all the guys with selectable lockers (ie arb, ox, etc) will say that is the only way to go. good luck with it.
86' CJ7, 258,T18,D44's 4.56 f/r, Detroit front, Warn shafts, CTM joints, rear spool, 4wheel disc, SOA w/ wagoneer springs, custom shackle reversal, 38"tsl, Allied Beadlocks,8274-50 Warn, Custom 6 point cage, custom bumpers, and still building.
Posts: 464 | Location: Ackworth, Ia | Registered: December 07, 2002
right now its about using my money wisely, ive only got about 2k to work with and the lift, tires and rims will take a big hunk out of that. I'm gonna fab things like bumpers, fenders, and roll cages, but things like that i want to be STRONG and cost effictive.
Jason have you thought about welding the rear spider gears. Then you can spend the $ saved and buy a locker for the front. The reason I'm against spooling the front is the ability to turn you want the front to unlock so you can turn. As you pointed out you can always unlock a hub. However after a few times of having to jump in and out to unlock when your in deeeep mud you'll wish you'd bought the locker. Since we're talking about this part of your vehicle What gears are you running and what size tires are you going with.
86' CJ7, 258,T18,D44's 4.56 f/r, Detroit front, Warn shafts, CTM joints, rear spool, 4wheel disc, SOA w/ wagoneer springs, custom shackle reversal, 38"tsl, Allied Beadlocks,8274-50 Warn, Custom 6 point cage, custom bumpers, and still building.
Posts: 464 | Location: Ackworth, Ia | Registered: December 07, 2002
well thats still up for grabs, i want to run 42's but the owner of the hunting club im in doesnt like ruts on "his" roads. In this club there are huge deer, but if it rains at all you cant get in ANY of the roads. anyways, i may have to go smaller like 38.5 or 39.5 unless somone can back me up when i say the jeep is light enough, and with a light foot, it wont rut up the roads.
Anyways, i was planning on running either 4.56 or 4.88 gears i havent gone through and done the calulations but im gonna have a big engine on it and i want to minimize the chance for breakage. what do you think?
ohhh, speaking of breakage, ive got a dana 60 rear, but a d44 front. is that a strong enough front for a ford 400ci?
im trying to make these decisions before i get into the project, i cant even find a junk cj that doesnt run. its really annoying. anyways please help, i know all the technical stuff but none of the experince, at least not with a big tired cj
The full spool is usually stronger because it replaces the carrier. The Dana 60 carrier is strong as is. I would weld up the spiders in the rear. Detroit in the front. 5.13:1 gears are good for 38 to 42. If you do a nasty job welding up the rear and it breaks by a detroit on full spool cus your replacing the carrier anyway. If you don't like the welded rear then get the detroit later.
