Spool or mini spool
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 82
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From: Louisiana
Spool or mini spool
I need a little info on spools and mini spools. Can I get away with a mini spool in a 9" 31 spline behind a 460 (350 hp & 460 ft/lb), C6 auto and NP208 for mud racing?
Also I see new spools and mini spools on E-Bay for very cheep the spools are $85.00 and the mini spools are $15.00, sounds to cheep, are they any good? How hard is it to do myself and reset the R&P after the install? I can have it done for $100.00 at a shop.
Thanks for any help.
Also I see new spools and mini spools on E-Bay for very cheep the spools are $85.00 and the mini spools are $15.00, sounds to cheep, are they any good? How hard is it to do myself and reset the R&P after the install? I can have it done for $100.00 at a shop.
Thanks for any help.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 789
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From: Cheney, Wa
Spool or mini spool
there was a huge thread on this last week,
anyway to sum it up, if you're only mud racing no street driving at all, go with the full spool, it saves rotating mass which will help acceleration, and its stronger. However it is considerably harder to set up(you'll end up paying the shop a ton for it.)
mini spools are cheaper, and easier to put in, but don't give you that little bit of performance the full spool would.
by the way, i would scrap the 208 before you start beefing up axles.
anyway to sum it up, if you're only mud racing no street driving at all, go with the full spool, it saves rotating mass which will help acceleration, and its stronger. However it is considerably harder to set up(you'll end up paying the shop a ton for it.)
mini spools are cheaper, and easier to put in, but don't give you that little bit of performance the full spool would.
by the way, i would scrap the 208 before you start beefing up axles.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
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From: Boise, ID
Spool or mini spool
Originally posted by superswamper
mini spools are cheaper, and easier to put in, but don't give you that little bit of performance the full spool would.
mini spools are cheaper, and easier to put in, but don't give you that little bit of performance the full spool would.
One of the reasons the minis are so cheap nowadays is the fact that NHRA has made them illegal. Years ago, I ran a mini in my drag car (tight budget). I ended up grenading the 9". I sheared an axle, split both carrier bearings, split a main cap, trashed the carrier, and trashed the drop out all at the same time. Believe me, it's no fun looking at the guardrail through the windshield at the 60' mark. The only things salvaged were the gears, mini-spool, and cross pin.
My point is, I don't think the minis are as bad (weak) as they are made out to be, but I'll never buy one again. Go with the full spool, you'll never think about it again.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Spool or mini spool
I can see where the light-weight full spool would give you a little advantage just because of the weight. They only weigh about 5-10 lbs. if I'm not mistaken. The carrier with the mini-spool weighs a hack of a lot more. You also have the security of single solid piece of steel.
I, myself, have a mini-spool in my 78 f150 460 4x4. I only use it for mud and the occasional trip to work or the store, but it's been good to me so far. I wouldn't say the mini-spools are weak, but a carrier & mini-spool assembly is definately weaker that an full spool.
As for setup, if you're not replacing the pinion, I would think the setup on both would be the same. You just have to set the backlash.
I did my own mini-spool install and it was the first time I ever saw the inside of a dif. My track-lock carrier had broken so I got a 31 spline open carrier from a boneyard for $50. I slapped the mini-spool in, set the backlash, and hit the mud.
Check out the excellent 2001 tech article on this site for the exact process of rebuilding the 9". It's what I used to do mine.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
I, myself, have a mini-spool in my 78 f150 460 4x4. I only use it for mud and the occasional trip to work or the store, but it's been good to me so far. I wouldn't say the mini-spools are weak, but a carrier & mini-spool assembly is definately weaker that an full spool.
As for setup, if you're not replacing the pinion, I would think the setup on both would be the same. You just have to set the backlash.
I did my own mini-spool install and it was the first time I ever saw the inside of a dif. My track-lock carrier had broken so I got a 31 spline open carrier from a boneyard for $50. I slapped the mini-spool in, set the backlash, and hit the mud.
Check out the excellent 2001 tech article on this site for the exact process of rebuilding the 9". It's what I used to do mine.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: Golden ,CO USA
Spool or mini spool
you cant go wrong with either. i installed my mini spool last march and it was the best money i have spent on my truck since i have had it as far as off road mods go. it helped get my truck a full pull at the local mud bogs with VERY bald super swamper tsl on my truck. in a pit that boggers were domminating that day ity suprised the heck out of everyone at the bog that day. just make sure that if you go with the mini spool that you get the heavy duty cross pin to go with it. dont want to be broke in a hole some where. it really isnt that hard to install one. for me, just like kjkozack, the first time i had ever seen the insides of a ford 9 inch rear axle was when i installed my mini spool. and i am glad i installed it when i did becausse i found a huge crack on the inner pinion bearing suport that probably would have broke on me the next time i took the truck out to play in tha mud.
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