Cheap vs. Expensive Posi

[Mitch_R_7711]

I have a 91 stock explorer, and i want it to be posi all around, but don't want to pay for the expensive lockers. Is there a difference between putting in a mini spool that costs $40 and a locker that can cost $300. If there are diffs, are they going to be noticable while on the road, and on the life of the drivetrain parts? I have lockouts, so the front could still be free when on the road. I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[sirhk100]

A spool is recommended for vehicles that travel in straight lines or almost all off road. It's basically like locking your tires together. In the dirt this is fine casue the tires will slip easily on the dirt in corners. On the street soemthing has to give way when cornering. It'll either come by means of your inside cornering tire actually spinning on the asphalt or something mechanical giving out. Lockers will lock up solid under power but will allow the tire to rotate at different speeds when not under power. You have to adjust your driving style with either. I've never driven a vehicle with a spool but my Jeep does have a locker in the rear and you can tell it's there. Off road it's amazing what it'll do. All my info on spools is hearsay though. Ohh, I've also heard spools will wear out tires much faster becasue of the spinning of tires on pavement while cornering.

 

[BoatsRcool]

what if I put a locker in the back and a spool up front, the spool wont be on, because I will have 4x4 off on the road

 

[Ray Lobato]

Mitch,
Khris is right. You don't want a spool if you want to take it out on the street. You may want to go cheap, but in the long run, you'll end up spending more money by having to replace clutches and stuff, and if you have to have this stuff done by someone else, then you are going to spend a lot more, because it's the labor that cost the most. Try the Powertrax in teh back and a good limited slip in the front.

"You'll pay for it now, or you'll pay for it later. Either way you're still gonna pay for it, and you usually pay more later."

 

[sirhk100]

I'm not sure how it'll work up front. I've never even had a locker up front. One in the rear of my Jeep gets me in enough trouble. It gets enough traction to drive itself right over backwards once awhile back.

 

[Clint]

boats u don't want a spool in the front because both tires would be locked in 4 wheel drive and it's so hard to turn with a spooled or welded front so u would have to unlock the hubs every time u need to turn on the trail because a d35 just isn't going to handle the stress

 

[Mitch_R_7711]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll just save up my money and do it right.