Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

spool, mini spool, or welded

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
spool, mini spool, or welded

this will be for a 31 spline 9" rear running stock ford axles in a short WB truck with a LIGHT flatbed.

It wont be a daily driver, cargo hauler or a trailer towing rig. I'll be running tires in the 235/85/16 (32x8.5 or 9.5) range.

3rd member will be torn apart for a gear change anyways so what cheap way will work best? spool, mini spool or weld it up?
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 12:23 PM
  #2  
DaveBowman's Avatar
DaveBowman
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
The best cheap way would be to put the mini spool in it. You could also get the full spool since your putting gears in it anyways and it might not cost very much more, if any. The cheapest way (not best) is to weld the gears, and if done right it will have the strength of the full spool. Most people I have seen don't know how to do it right though.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 12:27 PM
  #3  
RawPower's Avatar
RawPower
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 0
From: Rep. of Texas
Id go with either a full or mini spool so that you can later swap it out for whatever you have right now, should you not like the spool... If you weld it you will spend more later on a new LS unit or open
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 12:37 PM
  #4  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
I know of two methods for welding the 1st is running a bead inside the cogs of the spiders and reasembling it, its reversable and relies on the pins. the 2nd is to weld the everliving snot out of everything including welding the spiders to the carrier. haven't done either though.

Ebay has some cheap spools though
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 01:15 PM
  #5  
Flareside94's Avatar
Flareside94
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Open Ebay auction 8030751300.

Right there. Less then 40 dollars and you have full traction. You're probably not going to break the 9" carrier. You'll probably flex and break the 3rd member before you break the carrier. The key is to get a new crosspin when you do the minispool. That crosspin carried the load, and you don't want to reuse a cheap factory peice that's seen 20 years+ of use.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 01:42 PM
  #6  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Originally Posted by Flareside94
The key is to get a new crosspin when you do the minispool. That crosspin carried the load, and you don't want to reuse a cheap factory peice that's seen 20 years+ of use.
good point thanks.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 02:01 PM
  #7  
1962_Fords_rule's Avatar
1962_Fords_rule
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Id
I have a mini spool in my 28 spline 9'' that is very similar (if not the same) to yours. I bought a new cross pin when i bough the mini spool, and havent had any breakage problems. I have had this installed for a couple months now, and it rocks off road. There is a little more than usual tire wear (i'm 18, i drive the **** out of it anways), and it can push you through tight corners when you'r really on it. Other than that, i think you'll love it for what you will use it for.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 02:22 PM
  #8  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Originally Posted by 1962_Fords_rule
i drive the **** out of it anways
so do I
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Brett Foote
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 03:04 PM
  #9  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
For as cheap as spools are for the 9" I'd buy one and save the carrier.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 03:35 PM
  #10  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
thanks, a full spool in the rear is looking like a good idea.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 09:25 AM
  #11  
77460f150's Avatar
77460f150
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 736
Likes: 3
From: South East, Michigan
I have a full spool in the rear of my 77 "mean green" and love it. It's been in there for 3 years now and the only problem I have ever had is, I broke a stock 31 spline axle shaft doing a hole shot on dry pavement, the axle broke as the truck started to get traction, I let off of the gas and "SNAP" went the axle. -Ed
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 09:37 AM
  #12  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
3 years would make me happy
and a 77 with a bed is a lot heavier than a 82 without a bed.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 11:10 AM
  #13  
KubotaOrange76's Avatar
KubotaOrange76
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,135
Likes: 2,629
From: GA
dont trash the carrier and waste the time welding it when you can get a mini spool for less than 50 bucks!!

i would wait till your gear change and just throw a full spool in there...then youl never have to worry about it
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 11:21 AM
  #14  
TallGuy_Az's Avatar
TallGuy_Az
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Safford, Arizona
I've had the mini spool in mine now for 2 years or more, no problems yet. Bought it for about $25, and the new pin was $6 or so. So yeah, you can't beat that!
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2006 | 06:42 PM
  #15  
oldhalftons's Avatar
oldhalftons
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
one more mini spool question. does it make a difference if the carrier is a 4 pinion carrier.

its a 4 pinion open carrier. no idea whats its from.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:13 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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