locker vs. weld/spool

[67temp]

It there any advantage of a locrite/detroit over a spool/welded when used in the rear of a trail only rig?

[dan58]

I'd think you could do front digs a little better, but the cost of welding wins for me.

[67temp]

I don't foresee my 231 doing front digs anywhere in the near future. Since my rig isn't competing anymore I would really rather have a locker over the cutting brakes. I was just trying to see if there is any reason to a real locker.

[Happy Bear]

Like Dan said, they only time you would see an advantage was if you were driving in FWD. Since that's not an option, Weld it up!

I'd actually prefer the welded diff in that scenario for reliability

[Numijunior]

As long as its in the rear weld it up but for the front I'm not so sure I would. I just switched from a front limited slip to a welded and I hate it. My long ass 4runner will not turn for shit without unlocking a hub. I know your jeep has more steering and less wheelbase so it could be a whole different story.

[Numidian]

As long as its in the rear weld it up but for the front I'm not so sure I would. I just switched from a front limited slip to a welded and I hate it. My long ass 4runner will not turn for shit without unlocking a hub. I know your jeep has more steering and less wheelbase so it could be a whole different story.

I run/ran welded front and rear and other then the occasional 4-5pt turn where TJ's just zip around, it's not a big deal at all.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say that I HATE my welded rear. I have an e-locker in my cruiser and the diff between spool and open is HUGE. My cruiser's wheelbase is 15" longer than my mini-truck and it turns way better than the mini-truck.

[dan58]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say that I HATE my welded rear. I have an e-locker in my cruiser and the diff between spool and open is HUGE. My cruiser's wheelbase is 15" longer than my mini-truck and it turns way better than the mini-truck.

Of course a spool and open is a huge differnce. No argument there, but he isn't using an Elocker or ARB. Spool or Detroit/Lockright.

[CrawfishStu]

I like lunchbox lockers because under minimal power they will still ratchet some and turn better. But......it that worth the extra cost on a $400 trail rig.....negative. Lets weld it up.

[Happy Bear]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say that I HATE my welded rear. I have an e-locker in my cruiser and the diff between spool and open is HUGE. My cruiser's wheelbase is 15" longer than my mini-truck and it turns way better than the mini-truck.
woah woah woah, if he was considering a selectable locker vs spooled the selectable would have huge advantages. But when the options are a lockrite or welded in a rear of a 231'd trail rig, weld it


I like lunchbox lockers because under minimal power they will still ratchet some and turn better. But......it that worth the extra cost on a $400 trail rig.....negative. Lets weld it up.
It also won't be worth it when the locker is blown up ratcheting instead of turning your tires.

[CrawfishStu]

It also won't be worth it when the locker is blown up ratcheting instead of turning your tires.

Like my zj? :flipoff2: JT still hasn't fixed that. My wife is really sad she won't get to wheel in comfort on Sunday.

[Happy Bear]

Like my zj? :flipoff2: JT still hasn't fixed that. My wife is really sad she won't get to wheel in comfort on Sunday.
lol, didn't know that happened.

Lockrites are pretty reliable and don't break all that often really. I figured someone would ask if lock rites really break often, the answer is no but a spool is undoubtedly more reliable

[CrawfishStu]

Mine may not even be really broken. The cross pin is for sure.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

My biggest complaint with the spool/welded is when making turns on flat ground. It just pushes like crazy. In that situation I could imagine(never had an automatic locker) that a bump of the throttle and then coasting would let the rear ratchet sufficiently to prevent it from pushing as bad. No?

[Happy Bear]

I could imagine(never had an automatic locker) that a bump of the throttle and then coasting would let the rear ratchet sufficiently to prevent it from pushing as bad. No?
Meh, not enough situations where you can effectively do this in a trail rig to make it worth the loss in reliability and additional cost IMO

This method does work well with a clutch, but theres not that many situations offroad where you are trying to make a tight turn and just allowing gravity/momentum to move you will get you where you want. With an auto in low range the locker will not unlock enough to be effective

[Jack]

I have a lock rite, so I am obliged to say that is the only solution you should run.

Rippy just put a spool in his front and Shane had one for a year.

[CrawfishStu]

I would actually go aussie before lockrite.

JT already has a lockrite in the front. He is talking about the rear 44 in the zeBroken.

[Ripster]

I would actually go aussie before lockrite.

JT already has a lockrite in the front. He is talking about the rear 44 in the zeBroken.

I ran a spool in a XJ 44 in the rear of my old YJ and loved it. I believe it spent it's later life in the rear of one of the Gayron brothers' vehicles.

[Appalachian Offroad]

I have seen a lot of LRs break.

[Heavychevy]

I was gonna say weld it but then I realized you're interest in my lock right.

I'll get you the part number but, I have the same lock right in my other D44 it's been abused and the pins have egged out the holes. A $17 rebuild kit won't help that one.

I'll sell it to you if it fits but, if I was you I wouldn't buy it.:cheers:

[Heavychevy]

2410-LR p/n

[laxfromdundalk]

what he didnt mention is that the carrier currently in the 44 is a L/S so he is thinking replace the carrier make sure it will set up ok and then install the lokrite or just weld it

sounds like a lot of work

[CrawfishStu]

I'd weld it. He welded the one on his buggy.

[CoveJeepsPA]

I ran a spool in the front of my YJ w/ a dana 44 and stock steering and hated it. Every turn was a a 5-8 pt turn and quick turning or needing to turn the wheel while stopped on the rocks wasn't happening. I swapped it out for a LR and was loving life. When I went to 60s I ran a spool in the front w/ hydro assist. The hydro more than compensated for the spool.

[Kack]

I ran a welded rear for 2 years then switchhed over to a full spool (got a deal) I never really noticed a big difference. Sure it puses a little bit but a little bit of throttle and it goes right through. Don't really notice it on the road except when making u turns or slow stuff in parking lots. I love it. Knowing that both tires ARE going to spin is a big help

[CrawfishStu]

how much are mini spools?

[Happy Bear]

how much are mini spools?
I wouldn't run a mini spool, just weld it. Me and Pearson installed a mini spool in his front 44 years ago and took it to a comp and were doing test and tune the day before and within 30 minutes the mini spool exploded.

[CrawfishStu]

nice. Scratch the mini spool.

[Jack]

I don't think Pearson and a Dana 44 is a realistic judge of a technology.

[Ripster]

I don't think Pearson and a Dana 44 is a realistic judge of a technology.

Or durability.......

[frosty]

I think the point was to not waste any time or money on a mini spool.

I'd just weld it unless you already have a locker or spool for it.

[matt-chris]

I wouldn't run a mini spool, just weld it. Me and Pearson installed a mini spool in his front 44 years ago and took it to a comp and were doing test and tune the day before and within 30 minutes the mini spool exploded.


Ahhh, that was a fun night :) And it may have been more like 12 minutes