Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

??spools, lockers, & mini spools??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2005 | 09:34 PM
  #1  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Question ??spools, lockers, & mini spools??

Hi everyone, I'm going to be doing some gear work soon, and I also want to put so type of lockers, but money is tight, so wanting to know what I can get away with.

1st off what does a mini spool do?
2nd does anyone know of some lockers that are cheap but opperate good and last, and with out to much noise, opinions please.

I want to put a locker in the rear(ford 9") and my rig will be used off road mostly, but will see the road to get to local mud holes, so could I get away with a spool or mini spool if that will work and just get some tire chirp? Or is it best on your equiment to never go on the road with a spool?

Basically same thing up front(d44), I will put a LS if I can't find any good CHEAP lockers to stuff in it.

Thanks for any comments,
Matt
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2005 | 09:22 AM
  #2  
Kemicalburns's Avatar
Kemicalburns
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
dont spool the front you will hate it and its very hard on the front end. for the rear your probably ok with a spool but it may cause some undo damage if your on the skinny peddle alot. most lockers will let go while turning which helps. a detroit in the rear would be best.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2005 | 05:36 PM
  #3  
big inch's Avatar
big inch
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Jackson, TN
I have run a full spool and a mini spool on the road for short trips for years with no problems in 9" rear ends. Usually, you won't even notice them unless you are in a sharp, slow turn.


I would recommend a locker for the front, unless you upgrade the axles, then you could use a spool. There are several "cheap" lockers out there that seem to do ok in most rigs.
Daniel H.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2005 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Thanks for the info so far guys. What's the diff. between a mini spool and a spool.
I was going to go with a Detroit in the rear, but a spool would cost a couple hundred dollars less.

I wouldn't put a spool up front, I was wanting to know of some cheap lockers out there and how ya'll think they perform.

Thanks for any comments,
Matt
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
poffutt's Avatar
poffutt
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I have air lockers in the front and rear. I made the mistake of locking them while I was on the pavement. Let me tell you. You can not turn at all when the front is locked. Thank god I was in a parking lot and could drive straight far enough to get them unlocked. On the beach when I lock them it is even a little dificult to turn and is really hard on the steering mechanics. I like having the lockers they are great in mud, hill climbing, icey roads and snow.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 11:17 PM
  #6  
big inch's Avatar
big inch
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Jackson, TN
Matt, the mini spool just replaces the spider gears inside the factory differential. The spool (or full spool) replaces the entire differential. Both, of course, completely lock the axles together allowing for no difference in speed between the wheels when turning.

The full spool is nearly impossible to break, but the mini spool can break the differential cross pin if too much pressure is put on it. Both will also put a lot of pressure on the axles when one tire has grip and the other doesn't.

Daniel H.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 11:50 PM
  #7  
79biggerbronco's Avatar
79biggerbronco
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I ran a mini spool for a week, first wheelin' trip out I layed a little torque to it and snapped the hardened cross pin, then on the way out in frt. drive only , hit a "bump" and mangled the spiders in the frt. Then to my embarrasment, had to be towed out of the bush by a Chevy. If you insist on using a spool , use a full spool, If you drive at all on the street use a detroit in the rear, & a selectable locker, or ltd. slip in the frt. I drive my Bronc yr round as my daily driver, and belive me a locker is no good in the snow and ice. It will push you strait, even when the wheels are cranked, this winter I'm putting a ltd. slip in. Plus it will ease the wear on my tires. I do however run a tightly shimmed ltd. slip yr. round in the frt.with no real probs. I run 35's with 4:10's and offroad my truck is hard to stop, it's only flaw is it's weight.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 06:16 AM
  #8  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Thanks for the info guys, I remember reading about mini spools, but just couldn't remember exactally what they did. Now a mini spool is out of the question, just a spool, ?maybe?. I know a detroit would be the best thing to put, but I'll have to see how much cash I have when it comes time to do it, I think I'll just use the extra cash so I won't regret it.

Thanks again,
Matt
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 08:37 AM
  #9  
Kemicalburns's Avatar
Kemicalburns
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
look on ebay for a detroit, you can usually pick them up pretty cheap and in good condition.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 09:25 AM
  #10  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Thanks I never even thought of that. Do you think they sell brand new or just used, and IF used, it shouldn't have probllems huh?(do they stand up to almost anything?)

Thanks,
Matt
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 09:37 AM
  #11  
Kemicalburns's Avatar
Kemicalburns
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
they sell new,used and stuff that needs rebuilt. just ask questions if necessary and dont buy from someone with 0 or a bunch of negative feedback. a paypal acount also helps for various reasons
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 11:05 PM
  #12  
justshootme84's Avatar
justshootme84
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
MBBFord, check out JBG for the Trak-Lok for the frontend, It's a limited slip like the factory unit in the rear but goes for about $200. I'm thinking of installing one of those up front and a full spool in the 9" rear. I don't think a minspool will hold up to much abuse, like posted. Ebay has alot of stuff to browse thru, but is a good source, too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2005 | 08:39 AM
  #13  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I went on ebay and saw a lot of spools, mini spools, and lockers. I won't be going with a mini spool, because it wouldn't be able to handle 36s and some hard wheeling. Unless I find a locker for my d44 for less than $200, I'll go with a LS.

Thanks for all the info guys it was a lot of help,
Matt
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:10 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE