[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Jan-02 AT 01:31 PM (EST)]Okay in the past I have seen a couple posts about installing a spool in the front and have seen alot of pro's and con's. Everyone always brings it down to driving in snow and ice. Now I live in Phoenix AZ ice and snow ARE NOT a factor. My truck goes off-road quite regularly and I am debating the spool in the front of my F150 with the TTB Dana 44 will the spool tear the Dana apart? My off-roading is mainly climbing rocky hills and running in soft gravel and sand in the river bottoms. What do you guys think since I don't have snow and ice as an issue would a spool be a good idea or bad?? And if you do have a spooled front end what would happen if you drive with the hubs locked but the transfer case in 2whl high until you need the 4 whl drive now this would be in a off-road situation not on the street. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. In the past I have seen people climbing a hill or trying to get out of a rely tight spot and the locker has failed to lockup and help them.

 

It sounds like you've read the threads, and yes, they are the worst on snow and ice. Spools are your best option off-road, but even the off-road mags warn against using spools up front on street driven vehicles. You can do it, but you will have negative cornering characteristics and greatly increase the chance of breakage.

 

I would avoid a spool. I would DEFINATELY recommend an air locker. Perfect set-up you can lock when you want and save your gears when you don't. Yes it is a little more $$, but gears aren't cheap either. Spools are full time locked.Not a great option for turning. Road driving would really suck. I would seiously think about how much you wheel and how much you drive on road. Unless this is a dedicated rig for wheelin' I would say avoid the spool. Thats my recommendation. Hope this helps some.

cpnhgnjnky

 

Huh...i am surprised that you haven't been attacked by the Dana 60 cult yet! haha...You can do a D-44 locked up....AND it works GREAT (off road). Some things you have to worry about. One, If you have auto hubs or no hubs....forget it. Manuals are only the ones that work here....but you said that you do have em. you cant ride with em locked on road do to the fact that the wheels will not differentiate. On dirt this is OK...but on pavement........better be in good favor with your neighbor, cuz you will end up in his front yard when you try to turn! I am going out on a limb here but i would say that is quadruples your radius on pavement with the hubs locked. BUT on dirt...its LOTS better....still not as good as open but very manageable. Dont think you can just lock one either.....it will cause a drag soo bad that it will yank your steering way over like your aligment is way off....till you unlock it. See its still turning the axle, gears, other axle, drive shaft, and T-case = crap load of drag! TWO, the steering will feel heavy....it will want to self center real bad! SO make sure you have a good PS pump and gearbox. Might want to put a cooler on it. Three, the knuckle joints will blow...just a matter of time....and it might take the outer shaft with it. SO have some spare parts on hand. If you hear it going...stop and fix it. There is a place that makes Dana 60 knuckle joints that are machined down for a Dana 44.....SUPER STRONG joints....i dont see why you couldn't run high strength axles and those and minimize your problems. I will look up the link and post it later whan i have more time. On my friends Bronco, we welded the spiders. We love what it has done and it far out weighs the cons with the GOBBS of traction you get. Just have to learn how to drive it and keep a smart head aboutst ya! All the info is from my experience with the Bronco....since i am the one that always ends up working on it.....I plan on running a Spooled D-44 on my rig when i get it done. Talk to Randy's Ring and Pinion....got mine for like $180 +free ship....but think that was a Christmas thing.....check em out. Anyway....Go for it and good luck!
Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

'86 Ford F-150 4x4 w/ a spooled mono Dana 44/a spooled 9" running 38" TSL. 300ci, Clifford Intake and Headders, .05" Milled Head with SBC valves, port work
500 CFM Edelbrock, Clif. 290* cam with Rhoads lifters, .040" TRW Pist w/ Moly rings.
Future plans: A draw through Twin(or big single) Turbo setup (to help with the upper end)

 

Dan
thanks for the input. Everytime I saw the spooled front end question it seemed that everyone thinks you live in snow and ice. I live in the middle of the desert and do alot of off-roading and after I have seen lockers fail at the worst moment and arb's fail because things weren't in line. Saw a detroit snap a friend of mines axle cause he was in a bind and gave her some gas to lock the front well it did alright snapped that axle like it was a toothpick. Needless to say it was not pretty but it was another episode of the Ford pulling out the Chevy. I believe I am going with the spool and please post that link on the strengthened axle I will want some of those.

 

i think the carrier is gone in my front end and i was going to weld the spider gears while i had it appart and was in there. i was just getting ready to post something asking if it was a good idea. by the sound of things it will really help my truck in the mud. next after this is to get a spool for my 9" in the rear.

'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE

 

As promised here is the link to the D-60/D-44 cross knuckle joint. It is www.highangledriveline.com Mail these people and let them know you are intrested so they will make lots of these things! Check em out! ALSO....here is a link to a place that makes bomb proof axle shafts as well...... www.wagonermachine.com Havent checked that one yet but the artical says that there is lots of good stuff on there. Im out.

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

'86 Ford F-150 4x4 w/ a spooled mono Dana 44/a spooled 9" running 38" TSL. 300ci, Clifford Intake and Headders, .05" Milled Head with SBC valves, port work
500 CFM Edelbrock, Clif. 290* cam with Rhoads lifters, .040" TRW Pist w/ Moly rings.
Future plans: A draw through Twin(or big single) Turbo setup (to help with the upper end)

 

A locker cannot fail to lock up unless it's broken, or a Powertrax installed not to specification. If it doesn't lock both wheels together completely you are looking at a limited slip differential, which is more streetable and easier on parts than a locker but still way better than an open differential. A spool in the front with the hubs locked and the transfer case disengaged will make your truck turn like crap, but it won't hurt the truck anymore than running in 4wd with the spool in the front. What some people do is lock one hub so that you don't get the steering problems, and then when you need it you can call on the one engaged front tire to help pull you through. I feel that if it's for off-road use only, go ahead and do it.

 

I agree, but you cant just lock one hub in and drive it on road. It will still make it drive funny (see above). Not as bad as full lock but its still not safe.....in my book. Just wait till you get off road and lock the hubs in. If that is too much of a hastle....you shouldn't drive a 4x4. LOCK IT UP THOUGH! If you want to go anywhere (with in reason)

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

'86 Ford F-150 4x4 w/ a spooled mono Dana 44/a spooled 9" running 38" TSL. 300ci, Clifford Intake and Headders, .05" Milled Head with SBC valves, port work
500 CFM Edelbrock, Clif. 290* cam with Rhoads lifters, .040" TRW Pist w/ Moly rings.
Future plans: A draw through Twin(or big single) Turbo setup (to help with the upper end

 

I wouldn't do it either, but alot of people do. Since he won't be driving with the transfer case engaged on-road. the only handling problem will be a pull toawards the side with the locked hub due to the drag of turning the ring and pinion and driveshaft. My problem is that the front axle is weak enough already, why would you want to only use half of it? If you have good traction on the one front wheel and little for the back axle, the axle shaft and/or outboard universal is gonna snap. Just something to think about, not endorsing it.

 

you know.....it helps to read these in the afternoon rather late at night! haha...you catch more that way! I misread your post and agree totaly with you. Man..i need more Mt. Dew!

Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

'86 Ford F-150 4x4 w/ a spooled mono Dana 44/a spooled 9" running 38" TSL. 300ci, Clifford Intake and Headders, .05" Milled Head with SBC valves, port work
500 CFM Edelbrock, Clif. 290* cam with Rhoads lifters, .040" TRW Pist w/ Moly rings.
Future plans: A draw through Twin(or big single) Turbo setup (to help with the upper end)

 

Mmm, Mountain Dew nectar of the gods! Haha, good stuff dude.