Anyone have front spool?

[Hossexplorer]

Has anyone out there put a spool in the front of a first gen? If so, any problems? If I only use the 4x4 on slippery/muddy conditions the spool shouldnt cause problems, right?? Thanks

 

[Four0Sport]

it was my understanding that a spool was for off road applications only.. and would bind up harshly if driven on pavement. i might be wrong.

 

[HahnsB2]

I would not recommend it, it stresses the shafts and joints a lot more than a locker because they can't unload, not to mention good luck steering it.

 

[4x4junkie]

I have the ARB locker (locked is same as a spool).

I would NOT want this thing locked full-time. It affects your steering pretty much no matter what terrain you're on.

Get an Aussie or Lockright locker for it.

 

[Hossexplorer]

But, wont the stress be gone and binding wont happen when the transfer case is in 2wd and the hubs are not locked in?

 

[carlson1038]

You are right, the stress would be gone and your steering would be normal. However, you would never be able to lock the hubs in snowy or muddy street driving. You would end up off the road. Also, you would get very tired of getting out and locking/ unlocking the hubs every few minuts driving off road. For not much more cost, one of the lunch box lockers mentioned above would be a better choice and easier to install.

 

[IZwack]

But, wont the stress be gone and binding wont happen when the transfer case is in 2wd and the hubs are not locked in?

You are right, the stress would be gone and your steering would be normal.

Wouldnt the binding still be there?

See when you make a turn, one front wheel travels further than the other. So it doesnt matter if the vehicle is in 2wd, or even if there is a front drivesaft on the vehicle, there will still be binding because both wheels will be forced to rotate at the same rate if there was a spool -- which will then force the vehicle to understeer (or not steer at all). In addition, your [power] steering system is going to get a workout from fighitng this bind.

 

[4x4junkie]

No bind if the hubs are not locked.

 

[IZwack]

No bind if the hubs are not locked.

Doesnt that only apply to the manual hubs?
My guess is that the automatic hubs would probably lock during a turn with a spool.

 

[4x4junkie]

They shouldn't if the driveshaft isn't spinning (t-case in 2WD).
I would think if he's looking for more traction in the diff, he's long gotten rid of the weak auto hubs.

 

[IZwack]

I would think if he's looking for more traction in the diff, he's long gotten rid of the weak auto hubs.

Ahhh.. well if he has manuals, then it probably doesnt matter if the t-case is in 4wd or 2wd, there will be no binding as long as the hubs are in the unlocked position.

 

[Hossexplorer]

I looked up the aussie lockers and I think ill go that way instead of a spool. They are inexpensive and probably save me the hassle and problems of a spool later. thanks everybody!

 

[91exploreron37]

Not to mention you wont have to re setup your gears.

 

[HahnsB2]

The auto hubs would grenade so fast with a spool/locker up front your head would spin. If you haven't done so already at least get the standard warn hubs but the warn jeep hubs are stronger.