mini spools
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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mini spools
Hello, does anyone have any experiences with using the 8.8 with a mini spool? Good, Bad, Ugly? How did it hold up, how did it drive, dirt, mud, street ect. I've been toying with the idea of getting one, but I'm kind of torn between it and a powertraxx lock rite by Richmond. A buddie has on in his 5.9 Cummins Ram. He tows heavy loads with it and no problems in two years.
I will be running 35's when funds get replenished from Christmas.
Thanks
Joe
I will be running 35's when funds get replenished from Christmas.
Thanks
Joe
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 41
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From: NW IL
You do not want a mini spool if you are driving it on the street. There is no give with one so when turning a corner something must give. So best case it will chew up tires and the worst case you will break an axle. Not cool. Leave the mini spool for straight line racing. Spend the extra money and buy a locker. You will be much happier in the long run.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2009
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it can be done, i have done the Lincoln locker in a ranger with an 8.8 and a couple toyota's all were heavily wheeled with 35"+ tires and held up, downside is tire wear, tight turns tires will hop an squeal, gets a little squirlly in the rain if you are not careful and believe it or not it will make your truck sit lopsided half the time, when you pull into a parking lot or some thing it will load one axle and push the truck to one side and sit cockeyed lol, kinda hard to explain but it does it trust me .
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
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I wouldn't do it in the rear of a truck , some of the 4x4 guys run them in the front for mudding . I ran a spool in a mustang , its great untill you try to do any low speed turning , parking lots ect , then its a pain in the butt & hard on the tires & everthing else . I use the eaton true trac & like it...Lew
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,226
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From: Rusty, Maine
Really not a good idea to have a spool or locker if you plan on hualing a trailer with a lot of weight on it. Because the spool has no slip and the locker has no slip under load.
My .02 Ayone else?
My .02 Ayone else?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Spool is a real bad idea on a street driven vehicle, double so with big tires and tripple if you carry any weight. I have seen the Powertrax locker work well in a Ranger and not at all in a 3/4 ton truck, I don't think it's strong enough for a heavy vehicle with big tires.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2009
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if this will be a DD with some weekend wheeling, i would honestly suggest putting a good limited slip in the rear and put a lock rite(or better locker) in front, that will give you plenty of traction to get into trouble off road trust me and will drive nice on road, or if you got the money you can always look into an ARB or an OX locker for the rear but they are pricey.
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Posting Guru
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i really dont think having a posi or mini spool is a good idea in a swb towing truck... espesially in a small diff.. that could possible end up in some broke axles or busted ring and pinion...
if it was in a lwb truck it would be good
ur turning radius would be that of a school bus.... not really parking lot friendly.... i been there in a quad cab ram....
if it was in a lwb truck it would be good
ur turning radius would be that of a school bus.... not really parking lot friendly.... i been there in a quad cab ram....
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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It's an extended cab with a long box, it already has the turning radius of a bus. I don't do a lot of highway, mostly dirt roads and muddy trails. I agree with the powertraxx in the front, I have manual lockouts. But I'm kind of weary of limited slip units. I think I'll just bide my time and look for a dana 60 and get a detroit.
Thanks for all the good advise
Thanks for all the good advise
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,952
Likes: 589
From: Greater Austin, Texas
I just put an Aussie Locker (works the same as the Lock-Rite) in my 8.8 and it even chirps the tires if you have to turn tight and power it, like making a left turn at a light after being stopped. But at least I can adjust my driving style to compensate, in many situations I just have to remember to keep the power off until the truck is facing straight, sometimes you can't, tho. A spool would be considerably worse I would think with no opportunity to mitigate the locking as with the Aussie/Lock-Rite.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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Thats the same way my buddy's cummins ram is. The tires kind of bark on sharp corners if you power through it. I kind of like that too ! I'll have to read up on the Aussie locker. I have all been a bit worried about the 8.8 holding up to abuse, I'm planning on getting 35's and change to at least a 410 gearing.
Joe
Joe
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,952
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Does your truck have an auto or manual trans? I am not very happy with mine with the manual trans, I am getting a lot of backlash thru the drivetrain on decel. The tech guy warned me this could be a problem and that these units work better with auto trans. Was thinking about taking mine out and selling it, if you have an auto trans perhaps you might want to save some bucks on one? Either that or I could put it in my Bronco I guess.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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I have the automatic E40D. I did some reading on the Aussie locker too, looks like thats the way I'm going to go for now. I'll just be in "hunt" mode for an upgrade from the 8.8. But I like the price of the Aussie! I can do the front and back with that price. I was reading a reveiw on it(Aussie), and I think b/f starting, I'll order a new cross shaft and the spider gear side washers. It looks like some cheap insurance and they are wear items anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 759
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From: mohave valley, arizona
id go with a loc-right, easy to install yourself and a true locker, i have one in my jeep. a spool is a cheap piece of junk. all youll do is hop around corners and every time you back up youll hop.