Front spool??

[edones06]

Im thanking of a spool for my d 44. im running one in the rear already. I no most ppl run lockers in the front but with the rear spool I already have to power thu the corners. So the locker would be locked up most of the time anyways. I like the durability and simplicity of a full spool. But any body thank its a bad ideal? Im already runnin chrome molys and will be installing hydro assist in the next week or so

 

[broncnaz]

Welcome
Very bad idea if you plan on making turns. Its ok for straight line stuff but spools well never unlock at least with a locker it can unlock.. Fully spooled you'll be breaking stuff. hydro assist will make it even worse. While it can be done I dont think I know anyone that does it unless they running in the mud or sand drags and even then

 

[broncosbybart]

A 44 and a spool don't mix. Not sure what your budget is but a selectable locker is best. If you can't swing that then do a Detroit or a lunchbox locker. Your axle shafts will thank you for it.

As said, a rig with a locker is a lot easier to maneuver and make turns with.

 

[treihesse]

If you want to run a front spool you will need a selectable locker in the rear to disengage the bind up. That said a hydro setup is really a good ideal as well as a dana 60 or other high strength axle. I've seen guys going to a selectable in the rear and a spool or Detroit up front and it works good because you get rid of the plowing effect with the rear pushing the front tires thru turns. The biggest reason it's a bitch to turn is the front and rear lockers are fighting each other

 

[edones06]

I understand that a locker would unlock in the turns. but with my rear spool I power thu the turns anyways. So wouldn't the locker stay locked up? I just dont see spending 800 bucks for a locker that's gonna act just like a 200$ spool. But sum times I have a hard time finding the forest thu all the trees. LOL I was just making shore I wasn't missing the point. but for just crusing the trails when I don't need the front locked cant I just run one hub unlocked? I don't have a problem getting out and locking it when I need it. thanks for the help guys

 

[Broncobowsher]

Spooled front = driving in straight lines. It's amazing to see a fully locked rig with the tires turned to full lock going in a straight line. Front spool is a bad idea for anything outside of straight line racing. I understand your thought that you can just power through and spin tires, but that just doesn't happen that way.

 

[DJs74]

I agree with the others on no spool for the front axle. It would be awfully hard on your front components to have both axles locked together permanently. I have considerable years of sand/mud racing experience and spools are a popular choice but that's on a trailered racer and I've seen guys pop a front axle u-joint just maneuvering around in the pits. To be honest, I'm not even a big fan of a spooled rear for street use from a handling standpoint- nothing worse than taking a hard left or right turn on a wet road and the spool tries to push your vehicle straight ahead. In a nutshell and IMO, I think spools are best utilized for strictly off road / competition applications and if used on the street... Proceed with caution

Of course, this is just my opinion

DJs74

 

[broncosbybart]

For $800 you're really close to a selectable locker. $200 is close to a lunchbox locker. They do engage under power when one side is turning slower than the other but they are worlds better than a spool. I had a trail rig with a spooled rear, lunchbox front, and hydro assist. It worked well.

 

[dao1980]

I wouldn't spool a front 44 with a V8 sitting over it.

As others have said, turning while in 4x4 on tight trails will be hindered greatly.
Even with a twin stick to release the front end at the transfer case, it won't be very cooperative.
And of course, that 44 wouldn't like to be constantly bound up with a V8 sitting above it calling out marching orders.

 

[aqua_wonder]

After grenading a trutrac I installed a full spool in a 79 F150 D44. I usually locked one hub with the other unlocked. With the transfer case in 4H the truck pulled in the direction of the locked hub. It was a struggle driving in the snow on the street in 4H. Never had any real issues offroad with steering or binding.

 

[malonejy]

You need to go find someone with a selectable locker up front and spool/selectable in the rear and try and drive it with both locked up. If you were closer, you could drive mine. It won't be fun (at least the turning part).

 

[edones06]

Well with that being said, whats yalls thoughts on the Yukon grizzly locker? im all ready running there axles and am very pleased with them. im thanking thay were a little cheaper than a Detroit

 

[broncosbybart]

They are less than a Detroit. Haven't run one but have heard they work well.

 

[xcntrk]

You need to go find someone with a selectable locker up front and spool/selectable in the rear and try and drive it with both locked up. If you were closer, you could drive mine. It won't be fun (at least the turning part).

I second this point. I have a selectable electric locker in the front. When it's off full open diff, when it's on 100% lock-up (same as spool). There is zero turning when it's engaged. I can't even get my power steering pump to turn the wheels, traction and binding over-power my PS pump

 

[Broncobowsher]

Well with that being said, whats yalls thoughts on the Yukon grizzly locker? im all ready running there axles and am very pleased with them. im thanking thay were a little cheaper than a Detroit

I don't recall anything bad about them. I ran a lock-rite in my front for years (and a few U-joints). It was suppose to be temporary until I got a selectable. Never got the selectable. The Detroit version has a few reports of damage when a U-joint lets loose under load, but have only heard that about the Detroit locker for a Dana 44 specifically.

 

[GRN_MEANIE]

Full spooled is fine if your hubs are unlocked. It'll work with hubs locked if you have good hydro assist. Now that I know the difference I wouldn't run it without full hydro. Grizzly lockers are awesome. When I had a 44 it had a Detroit, Detroit blew up and I bought a Grizzly. It locked faster and harder. Everything says it has beefier innards. Detroit hasn't upgraded anything since they came out. If you're keeping the 44 then selectable is worth the investment.