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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!