Spool VS Locker
- Thread starter jabrevaya
- Start date
- Location
- West Sacramento, CA
I'm bringing another one back to the top!
I'm planning a D44 rear, pretty set on 4.88s with 35" MT/Rs. Since I'd likely need a new carrier, unless I find a 44 that's already geared, I've been thinking about going with a Detroit, or a spool and putting the difference in price towards alloy axleshafts.
Is the tire wear usually like the photos Ashman put up? Can I reduce it by rotating my tires more often? Are there any downsides other than tire wear? It looks like that's about it, to me.
I'm planning a D44 rear, pretty set on 4.88s with 35" MT/Rs. Since I'd likely need a new carrier, unless I find a 44 that's already geared, I've been thinking about going with a Detroit, or a spool and putting the difference in price towards alloy axleshafts.
Is the tire wear usually like the photos Ashman put up? Can I reduce it by rotating my tires more often? Are there any downsides other than tire wear? It looks like that's about it, to me.
bbaker80
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Beaver Falls, PA
I'm running a mini spool and alloy shafts in my 44. I'm planning on going with a full spool when I regear, but for now with the 32's I'm not really concerned. Any recomendations brand wise for a full spool? I got my mini from Randy's R&P, and the service was excelent, but where would you go for a spool?
- Location
- NC Sandhills
"Can I reduce it by rotating my tires more often? Are there any downsides other than tire wear? It looks like that's about it, to me."
Sure can, but it'll still be wearing them out more evenly. I think it's more of a driving style/habit thing... I DD mine 350 miles a week with a spool for 1+ years in a 5spd MJ and 7 months in an auto XJ... If one takes LOTS of sharp, slow turns on paved roads, I'd think the rubber would wear off sooner than one who does lots of straight line or highway driving...mileage, temp & pressure has some to do with it as well, but mainly the frequency of sharp paved turns.
I dunno how a NP242 would react in full-time mode with a spool or a locker.
I'm pretty sure Jegs carrys both full & mini's for the 44. I did an (steel) full since I needed a low-gear carrier, and would have been more $ to buy a Lock-rite etc...and a new hollow open carrier. (I didn't have time to mess with hunting up used stuff) I got mine from Desert Fabrication in Apache Junction AZ, but dunno if they still are in biz.
At $200 for the spool vs $450-+ for a Detroit, your piggy bank is awful close to a set of Moser or Dutchman alloy shafts...
Sure can, but it'll still be wearing them out more evenly. I think it's more of a driving style/habit thing... I DD mine 350 miles a week with a spool for 1+ years in a 5spd MJ and 7 months in an auto XJ... If one takes LOTS of sharp, slow turns on paved roads, I'd think the rubber would wear off sooner than one who does lots of straight line or highway driving...mileage, temp & pressure has some to do with it as well, but mainly the frequency of sharp paved turns.
I dunno how a NP242 would react in full-time mode with a spool or a locker.
I'm pretty sure Jegs carrys both full & mini's for the 44. I did an (steel) full since I needed a low-gear carrier, and would have been more $ to buy a Lock-rite etc...and a new hollow open carrier. (I didn't have time to mess with hunting up used stuff) I got mine from Desert Fabrication in Apache Junction AZ, but dunno if they still are in biz.
At $200 for the spool vs $450-+ for a Detroit, your piggy bank is awful close to a set of Moser or Dutchman alloy shafts...
Safari Ary
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Virginia Beach, VA
I finally got my spool working in the XJ yesterday, drove it around the block and couldn't stand it on the street, drove it all over my yard and absolutely loved the added traction. So what did I decide to do?? I just turn the spool off when I'm on the road 
The little pshhhh sound it makes when it turns off is pretty freakin cool too. I love my ARB!
The little pshhhh sound it makes when it turns off is pretty freakin cool too. I love my ARB!
- Location
- West Sacramento, CA
I've contacted a couple PBB vendors (although I'd rather send my money to a 
vendor) and it looks like a spool would be about $150, vs $450 or so for a Detroit. $300 could be alloys, or another pair of tires to wear down on the street, or, I dunno, wheeling funds. I think I might've sold myself on a spool.
Ary, for the price of one ARB setup, I can probably replace my worn down tires 3 times.
Can you go wrong with a spool from any major company? They seem pretty simple to make.
vendor) and it looks like a spool would be about $150, vs $450 or so for a Detroit. $300 could be alloys, or another pair of tires to wear down on the street, or, I dunno, wheeling funds. I think I might've sold myself on a spool.Ary, for the price of one ARB setup, I can probably replace my worn down tires 3 times.
Can you go wrong with a spool from any major company? They seem pretty simple to make.