Kinda dumb question

4x4K5

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Sep 30, 2009
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NC STATE
Ok so I am getting parts together for my k5, and I have a question or two.
First, I want to run spools front and rear, but I want to know exactly what kind of impact it will have on turning. I have automatic hubs, and if it is not in 4wd will it still be hard to turn with the mini spool up front?

And, will running spools in both ends make it unsafe on the road?

Thanks in advance guys....
 
That's not a dumb question, but I do have a dumb newb question.

What is a spool and open? Is this referring to lockers?
 
a spool is when the axle shafts inside the axle are locked at all times they never unlock.
a locker will lock and unlock as you turn.
a open applies power to the wheel with the least resistance.
 
4x4K5 said:
Ok so I am getting parts together for my k5, and I have a question or two.
First, I want to run spools front and rear, but I want to know exactly what kind of impact it will have on turning. I have automatic hubs, and if it is not in 4wd will it still be hard to turn with the mini spool up front?
And, will running spools in both ends make it unsafe on the road?
Thanks in advance guys....
Click to expand...

running a spool up front will kill the turning radius when in 4 wheel drive.
 
spool up front and rear has the same affect as welded front and rear, which lots of people do. If your driving it alot on the road your tires will wear faster. Otherwise its a good cheap way out. To warn you in if you dont have a twinstick, or hydro steering then have fun trying to turn.
 
rockkrawler4x4 said:
a spool is when the axle shafts inside the axle are locked at all times they never unlock.
a locker will lock and unlock as you turn.
a open applies power to the wheel with the least resistance.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, that's a huge help. Thanks OP for posing this question because it in turn answered a question of my own. I was worried about putting a locker in the front because I thought it would cause issues while trying to turn. I didn't realize that the locker will unlock during turning. Thanks for the help rockkrawler!
 
Thanks for the help.

Can i still turn the front end in 2wd? or will it have the same effects in both 2 and 4wd? because I have auto hubs.
I know what the rear end will do since I had it spooled in my K30, it is just the front that I am questionable about spoolin.
 
you will still have the same effect unless u get lockin hubs then it wont matter in 2wd. Do u still have the stock axles in ur k5? if so id exchange the 10bolts
 
I have a welded front(same concept) and I hate it. It hard to steer without full hydro or really good hydro assist and It will kill your tires on the road.
 
I had a mini spool in front of my burb. It did not want to turn when in 4 wheel. I had manual hubs so I don't know how auto hubs will act. Stock power steering wimps out with over 35" tires.
 
I am seriously thinking about trying it. The hubs are the only thing I am worried about.
 
rockkrawler4x4 said:
a spool is when the axle shafts inside the axle are locked at all times they never unlock.
a locker will lock and unlock as you turn.
a open applies power to the wheel with the least resistance.
Click to expand...
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actually 2 types of lockers, you got auto lockers (limited slip or lunch box) and manual lockers (like arb, ox, e-locker)
.
open carrier: no resistance (most diffs are open from factory) no cost
.
spool: hard to turn but cheap (welded or bought after market) not that safe in a jeep when spooled front and back when on-road.
.
limited slip: minimal to no resistance (some diffs are like this from factory, but better ones are bought from after market) mid cost, but not as good as other lockers off road
.
lunch box locker: mid resistance, cheap (sometimes noticed on road with some increased tire wear) but not usually good if left in diff for a long time and they're noisy
.
manual locker: is like open carrier on road, when locked is like spool, highest cost, best for dd (with the flip of a switch, push of a button, or pull of a cable, your ready to go wheelin) costs more for the locker than others and you will usually need other parts to engage the locker and is harder to install. Which means more $$$
.
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this by all means is not all the info. so do some friggin research. :flipoff2: different manufacturers offer different designs and have different functions for each type of locker. the one that is right for you is the one you can afford and the one that you can live with in a dd. good luck.
 
DEAD HORSE

I'm thinking welding about my front. I know that the steering will suck when in 4wd. Everyone says to unlock onw hub and you will be ok. What about with the hubs locked, and in 2wd?
 
strange1 said:
I'm thinking about my front. I know that the steering will suck when in 4wd. Everyone says to unlock onw hub and you will be ok. What about with the hubs locked, and in 2wd?
Click to expand...
I'd think that hubs locked in 2wd would be hard to turn. The wheels are effectively locked together so the outside one can't turn faster than the inside one. Same principle as in 4wd except you don't have power going to the wheels.
 
thats what i think.
 
id just run a posi rear or something and leave the front open as long as u have 10 bolts. I wasnt a believer in how weak they were at first, but its shocking how bad 10 bolts actually are, even with 33s and 35s. you might be saving money by getting spools but you might be buying axles very shortly after. also if your frame by the steering box doesnt have any sort of brace on it you might want to go ahead and do that. its easier to prevent it before it happens than once its already broke. both problems are almost unavoidable if you plan on doing anything other than parking lot driving. just my 2cents!
 
andybritt2002 said:
id just run a posi rear or something and leave the front open as long as u have 10 bolts. I wasnt a believer in how weak they were at first, but its shocking how bad 10 bolts actually are, even with 33s and 35s. you might be saving money by getting spools but you might be buying axles very shortly after. also if your frame by the steering box doesnt have any sort of brace on it you might want to go ahead and do that. its easier to prevent it before it happens than once its already broke. both problems are almost unavoidable if you plan on doing anything other than parking lot driving. just my 2cents!
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I dont see how the steering box mount is supposidly weak. I have never had problems with it on any of my bowties, and my other 2 were both manual steering with big ass tires and lift. I could hear it strain when I tried to turn the wheel sitting still, but that was it.
 
mudder said:
.
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lunch box locker: mid resistance, cheap (sometimes noticed on road with some increased tire wear) but not usually good if left in diff for a long time and they're noisy
QUOTE]
Not entirely sure if I agree with this information. ( I do agree with noisy)
Let's Refer to this diagram
awww.supermotors.net_getfile_778795_fullsize_fo9dia.jpg

Where you see the #1 that is the carrier.
This part can be replaced by a full spool or a full locker. An example of this would be a detriot locker. The ring gear bolts directly to this part.
Where you see the #2 that is the spider gears or side gears.
This is where the differential action takes place. Each axle shaft comes into these gears and this is how power is transferred to the wheel. This part can be replaced by a mini-spool or a 'lunch-box' locker.
These parts offer an advantage of not having to reset the gears when they are installed.
A mini-locker and full carrier locker are going to have the same effect on traction. How well the lock and un-lock is mostly determined by the manufacturer.
A full locker offers the advantage of being bigger and stronger than a mini-locker.
The same goes for a full spool and a mini-spool. A full spool replaces the entire carrier while a mini-spool only replaces the side gear(spider gears).
Personally, I would go with a rear spool first. This is the cheapest and easiest way to gain a lot of traction. I would not go with a front spool at first. Put in a rear spool and see how you like it. Then later upgrade to a front locker/or spool.
Click to expand...
 
Don't spool the front. Your turning radius won't just be slightly worse, it will SUCK!! The fact that you will have to FIGHT the steering wheel and make multi-point turns will quickly persuade you to take it back out.
 
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