Topic: spool and IFS?

[wflaw45]

anyone run a spool in the front of their IFS rigs? any worries about breakin half-shafts orany other damage? how bad does steering get?

thanks
-W.F.

[Rocksurfer]

I wouldn't run a spool, try a Detroit EZ-Locker that's what I ran in mine. Only broke one inner shaft the entire time I had it.

[BLACKDOG]

x2 on the spool.  I've got a lockright, and it does ok.  You'll kill your half shafts with a spool, and you'll kill your turn radius as well

[wflaw45 [OP]]

what about in the rear? how would the tire wear be on the street?

[wflaw45 [OP]]

im running 31's BTW

[unclejpl4x4]

no spool u fool

[jimbo74]

a spool in the rear will increase tire wear.. it all depends on how crazy a driver you are though, and if you can handle possible squirrely handling

[Rocksurfer]

I ran a welded rear in one of my trucks and it was my daughters dd for a while and it was fine.

[jimbo74]

I ran a welded rear in one of my trucks and it was my daughters dd for a while and it was fine.

yeah like i said it depends on whos driving. there are a lot of people if you search on spools that say no, never run it on the street, then a lot of people that say i DD mine..... it has a lot to do with preference and skill....

[Rocksurfer]

My daughter will appreciate the comments on her skills, but I'd let my 13 yr old drive more offroad than her she's nutz!

[wflaw45 [OP]]

im trying to get the best bang for the buck (broke ass teenager) and dont mind squirly situations, we barely get snow down here anyways and thats the main thing a hear is a NO-NO with a spool

[Rocksurfer]

It all depends on your driving style and mindset. If you drive it like you stole it you will have issues with a spool or welded diff, you could even twist the axles and even the housing if you are a throttle jockey. If you drive it like you can't afford to fix it if you break it you'll be fine.

[wflaw45 [OP]]

i drive it gentle until it needs an extra little push. would i still have to worry about twisting axles with only 31's?

[Rocksurfer]

It is easier to spin the tire that's going to bind in a turn with 31's, it would be a slow process even with larger tires but it always seems to get you in the worst possible situation. I/my daughter put a lot of miles on my truck with a welded diff and never had an issue, again it is how you drive it. Coast around corners just like if you had a Detroit and the tires will slightly scuff around the corner, stab the gas around the corner and that's where you'd put a load on the axles even though they will chirp. Think about it and you'll get it, coast around and the tire will naturally slide, but stab the gas and chirp, chirp, chirp happens which is loading and unloading the stress on the axle.

[~tc~]

I wouldn't spool it just because of the turning radius issues. I run ARB's (spools when locked) and I can't hardly turn when they're locked. The Toyota powersteering system isn't built for that kind of stress either - I am on my 3rd power steering pump.

As for the breakage question, I am of the firm belief that a front locker will PREVENT more damage than it causes. The ONLY situation where a locker will hurt you is if the tire is wedged. You can unlock the hub in that situation and be OK. All the other instances you experience off road, the most common being a tire off the ground, a locker will help prevent the shock loading that occurs when the tire comes slamming down because with an open diff, that tire is spinning 2x as fast. A locker will allow you to crawl obstacles that you would have to carry momentum through (ie - go faster) with open diffs.