acually i have to questions. one, what happened to the search feature? two, wouldn't it be easier to just spool ur fron axle? instead of messing with limited slips and lockers and open? wanted to ask this for awhile now, thanx.

 

hi well you going to have a trouble turning because both fronts are going to be grabbing... spooling front wont turn

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Jan-03 AT 09:11 PM (EST)]I have a mini spool in the front end of my 74 Bronco. I NEVER keep the hubs locked on the street. It would be suicidal. The only off road situation I would say that it is ok would be in sand dunes, that is where I play with my truck. If you are on a surface that gives you any traction like dirt, gravel, etc., the truck won't turn.

PS: removing it is on my to do list since it is such a pain.

 

If your driving it on the street its definetly not a good idea, both front wheels spin in the snow means your going wereever your truck wants to go your just along for the ride.

 

I've heard it suggested that, with a locker or spool in the front, the way around soem of the problems suggested above is to lock only one wheel: effectively 3x4 instead of 4x4. But with an open differential you arguably only have 3x4 anyway because the differential will spin the wheel with the least traction anyway. With a locker, however, you can choose to send power to the wheel with the most traction, and let the other wheel go with the flow. I don't have experience with this, yet, though. Maybe someone who has can comment on how well it works.

 

I think a spool is not versital enough for most people but it can work in the right condtion, just be carefull it can make your front axel go KABOOM .

I think the new Electrac by Tractech is the hot ticket for the front axel. This thing is a conbination of their Trutrac and an elctricly selectable locker, you get the best of both worlds. Add a Detroit locker to the rear axel and you have an unbeatable combination. The onlt down side is the cost. you could put somthing togther for half the cost that will work almost as well.

 

I use a spool in the front of my mudtruck. If your tires are not spinning you will find it nearly impossible to turn. It works fine for me,as all the mudding I do is in a straight line. I pull to the line with only one locked and have a pit crew lock the other when I line up.

If you use your truck for anything else but mudbogging I would get a trac loc or some selectable type locker.

 

you all dont drive on the street with ur hubs locked do u? would it matter if they were unlocked(alowing both wheels to spin independent) until u got to the "pit"? also, weres the search thingy that used to be at the top of the forums?

 

I think it depends where you live. If you live in a state where it snows and ices, leaving your hubs locked in is normal. Where you need normal 4x4 most is going downhill on a slippery surface, be it ice or mud. Or to make a curving downhill turn on a slippery road.

You could drive on most iced surfaces with a spooled front and rear end as long as you went slow enough. The word "enough". Most people are not willing to drive or be behind someone going 5 mph Though sometimes being on a snowy surface or road where the shoulders are iced, having any type of locker can send you right off into the drift with minimal throttle. In *some* situations a spinning wheel with no traction is a benefit. It tends to be less squirrely (is that a word?)
and you get into trouble slower, especially off-camber.

Off-road in muck, going straight up a mossy or muddy slope, crossing a slit filled creek, a truck with spooled axles will just haul and leave everyone else behind.

I use to do mostly ice and snow driving, including off-road, so for me, excellent (studded) tires were far more important than a locker. Because even if you have a locker, if you are on ice you are stuck if you have no traction.

 

I welded my front carrier upo nice and tight, effectively making it a spool.

I can turn on the rocks I go crawling on in 4wd with both hubs locked in. and I am spinnning 38.5x14.50's.

if you cannot turn, you have a weak ps system.

I would never drive on pavement with the front locked in. nor would I do this in a snowy climate.

 

I've got an open front diff, but, I unlocked my front hubs this morning for the first time since October....
I'm in snow/really dang cold territory(was -40 w/windchill last night), and, I've had to use 4-hi to drive down main street some days.....
Evan
86 F250 HD XLT Lariat Explorer 4x4 ex. Extended Cab: 8800LB GVWR 460/Edelbrock 1411
T19/BW 1345/3.55 geared Full Floater 10.25/Dana 50 TTB
265/75R16's on Whitespokes

I'm just your average 18 year old... LOL

 

 

i wouldnt think of doing that. If you realy need that much traction jump on a selectiable locker.