installing a mini spool
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Glendale USA
installing a mini spool
I am going to install a mini spool in the front of my 82 F150 4x4 with a TTB how hard is it going to be to install and will it kill the Dana 44 front axle??
I am going with the mini spool cuz it is cheaper than the full spool.
Or should I just go with the full spool ??
Before everyone jumps on me for putting a spool in the front I DON'T worry about snow and ice down here in PHX AZ.
I just want the front locked up when going off-road
I am going with the mini spool cuz it is cheaper than the full spool.
Or should I just go with the full spool ??
Before everyone jumps on me for putting a spool in the front I DON'T worry about snow and ice down here in PHX AZ.
I just want the front locked up when going off-road
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Rochester USA
installing a mini spool
I would not put a spool in the front of any truck that sees any pavment. It's going to eat the tires up in short order. If your determined to lock up the front and your going to run any time at all on roads I suggest you look into a PowerTrax No-Slip or a Lock-Right. They will at least let the tires rotate at different rates on the pavement.
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From: Powell RIver Canada
installing a mini spool
How would a mini spool hold up in my 9" with 31 spline axles? I know there'd be lots of tire wear, but most of my driving is off road anyways. Would i have to be reall careful about snapping an axle? I'm really iffy about buying a spool, but at 50 bucks Canadian it's almost worth it.
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From: Rochester USA
installing a mini spool
At $50C I understand your reasonimg. But while I don't believe you'll break any axles. I think the cost of tires is going to kill you in any resonable length of time. Save your money and save up for a good Auburn Limit Slip or PowerTrax No-Slip or find a good used OEM Tracion Loc unit. I've seen them advertized for as little as $200US. Try looking in E-Bay you might be surprised what's in there. I would go that route first. To me spools large or mini are only good at the dragstrip or in the woods. Not public roads. They might even be dangerous on the street.
So Good Luck And Have Fun, I know I am.
So Good Luck And Have Fun, I know I am.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 379
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installing a mini spool
I've had a mini spool in my truck for over a year now and would very highly reccomend one to anyone interested. They are no where near the "devil devices" people make them out to be. I have noticed a slight (very slight) increase in tire wear but nothing that would ever make me consider getting rid of the spool. Mostly it rounds the outside edges a little more. The do especially well w/ aggressive mud tires as the large gaps in between tread lugs allow them to scoot sideways as you turn. All-terrains get a bit noisy on the street but are livable. I'd say go for it. I've never known anyone whos gotten a spool and not loved it. Best $50 I've ever spent.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Rochester USA
installing a mini spool
Listen to the man who has one. Most of my driving is on pavement so I'm looking into a Lock-Right for the rear of my Ranger 2X4 We get a fair amount of snow in Western New York (Buffalo, Rochester area) and I like to go into the woods when I can so I'm not off the road a very high percentage of the time. So I might be a little prejudiced about the spool idea.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Glendale USA
installing a mini spool
well my truck sees alot of sand hill climbing androck crawling along with running alot in dryed up river bottoms down here in AZ I have manual locking hubs so how would I run my tires out more if the hubs are not locked I was going to install the mini spool in the front for off-road only not street 
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Rochester USA
installing a mini spool
AH you didn't mention the locking hubs. So I made the mistake of thinking the wheels would be locked up all the time on or off road. Please excuse my ignorance we were unfortunatly speaking apples and oranges.
Have fun
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From: Tower MN, Houghton MI
installing a mini spool
some people just dont uncerstand the concept of saving money.. lol!!
I put a mini spool in ther back of my 89 f-150 about 1 1/2 years ago. and would never take it out!! Every body told me it would push me into the ditch in the winter, so i planned on removing it when the snow flew. But once winter came. i saw no downfalls at all. actualy i after having an open diff for a year before that.. i would honestly never go back. as far as tire wear i never noticed it at all, i put 7000 miles on a set of 34x9.50 swampers, never rotated, and the wear was even front to back. as far as other quirks on the road, with the swampers, you couldn't even tell the spool was there, but with stock 235's, they did chirp a little around the corners. I just put on new 35" bfg km's today, and there is a little scuffing around sharp turns.. but not anything bad. AS far as in teh front, i was un awhere that there was a minispool out there for the ttb 44?? Oh well it is my plan to lock up all four tires soon, for under 40$( 33$ for the spool, 3$ for rtv, and about 20 cents for the 7018 welding rod up front) hope this helps!
I put a mini spool in ther back of my 89 f-150 about 1 1/2 years ago. and would never take it out!! Every body told me it would push me into the ditch in the winter, so i planned on removing it when the snow flew. But once winter came. i saw no downfalls at all. actualy i after having an open diff for a year before that.. i would honestly never go back. as far as tire wear i never noticed it at all, i put 7000 miles on a set of 34x9.50 swampers, never rotated, and the wear was even front to back. as far as other quirks on the road, with the swampers, you couldn't even tell the spool was there, but with stock 235's, they did chirp a little around the corners. I just put on new 35" bfg km's today, and there is a little scuffing around sharp turns.. but not anything bad. AS far as in teh front, i was un awhere that there was a minispool out there for the ttb 44?? Oh well it is my plan to lock up all four tires soon, for under 40$( 33$ for the spool, 3$ for rtv, and about 20 cents for the 7018 welding rod up front) hope this helps!
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From: bangor maine
installing a mini spool
the only problem i hear about the mini spool is that there is a pin that breaks my friend billy put a mini spool in the rear of his truck and he really beats on it and snap the pin right out the large spool is a little more but no pin thats just my 2 cents
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