Topic: spool in the front

[YODAWILL]

Spool or posi in the front what do you guy think

[Tice]

Depends. I've run spools front and rear for a long time now. But with a bigger tire and no hydro assist it will be harder to turn.  But don't waste money on a posi, get an Aussie locker or lock-rite type. Just my

[Rocksurfer]

Spool up front would scare the crap out of me, I'd be constantly worried about my birf's, I have Downey/Auburn's front and rear currently. I have learned through the years that a limited slip front does not work as good when backed up by a rear locker, you can't stab the brakes to engage it without killing the motor. so what I'd do if I were to go full locked would be a spool in the rear and a Aussie in front or Detroit in front. 

[Hyena]

Power steering is a must.  Hydrolic assist is probly the way to go though.  Hard to turn on rocks and damn near impossible to turn going down rock slabs.  Get 30 Longfield's spline birfields for sure.  If you have the money go with either an ARB or an Electric locker.  the only way i would run a detriot in the front again would be 30 spline birfs, 4.10 factory gears, and heat treated hub parts.

[YODAWILL [OP]]

Can't I just run with the hubs not locked then just lock them when I need it.

[IronClad]

if you wana keep jumpin in and out of the truck yeah..

[YODAWILL [OP]]

Well if I keep my pass side locked it would be like running open right then just lock
the driver side when I need to have posi.

[Ramrod]

no thats just stupid and doesn't work very well.  don't run a locker or spool  or whatever in the front untill you get stronger birfields but you dont need those unless you put that in there.  I would say just weld up the gears and don't be a puss.  You can turn it, if you don't wanna do that than get an aussie locker

[Rocksurfer]

Well if I keep my pass side locked it would be like running open right then just lock
the driver side when I need to have posi.

I busted an axle on my 4Runner once, we turned the hub off on that side and my truck would not stay on the trail. Any hills climbs at all and the front would jump off to that side. I think you'd be wearing yourself out getting in and out of your truck locking and unlocking the hub.

[YODAWILL [OP]]

So should I weld the front or the rear.

[KYOTA]

my bud littleroot runs spools front and rear on 15.5 wide SXs and has done so for oh probably 5-6 years. Old school Longs for 90% of that time no problem and now 30 spliners. oh and yeah he gets it

[Sibeta223]

The spool isnt really a good idea, and having to get out and lock your hubs will suck. You only get out and lock them after you are stuck and are in the work possible position.  Been there done that. Waited till i was burried in 3 feet of snow before i decided to lock my hubs. I had to dig down to my hubs and then the suckers were frozen.  Just get a loc rite, you will be much happier in the long run.

[AlphaRedRooster]

Not to sound like a broken record but don't spool or weld it until you get stronger birfs.  Even then I would select a locker like an ez-locker, aussie or the equivalent over a spool or welded locker.  These aren't that expensive, I sold a 4.10 4cyl with an ez-locker for $200 shipped that worked great.

[Hottrod81]

It sounds like you want something selectable if you worried about unlocking a hub to not have both tires turning in the front.  An ARB or E-Locker will serve you well.

[notajeep]

Maybe I am just different...... But I trashed 2 lockrights in the fron and decided to put in the full spool.  This was before I had power steering. I was difficult to turn when in 4wd and on a hard packed surface.  then upgraded to power steering and life was good. I had 35" mt's, and was still running the stock birfs. For 2 years i had this setup with no problems.  Yes It was at times still difficult to turn on the slickrock, but usually a little stab of the gas, a wheel would slip and I could turn, sometimes I just backed up to get the right line if I couldn't turn sharp enough. Then I went to 36" Iroks......... 3 broken birfields in 2 months, and only 1 hard wheeling trip.  So I ordered the UM-06 chromo birfields from Marlin and have had ZERO problems.  2 months ago I added hydro assist and moved to Moab.  I now wheel ALOT on the slickrock, can turn with 1 finger in 4wd and the marlin parts are holding up fine.
I like my spool in the front. It is simple, strong, and easy to install. Now if i could just stop breaking hub studs.
That is all.
Dan