D44 spool

[Jafar]

Was just pondering the idea of spooling the rear D44 in my Not so daily driver TJ. I've been lookin around the internet, just wondering what popele on here have to say about them. How likely am i to bust a shaft? or is chromoly a necessary upgrade? I used to have a heavy foot but i've learned my lesson and toned it down a bit.  It's a second vechile, still like to take a spin around the city here and there...How would it affect flat towing cause that's how i get to the trails. ARB or detroit would be the way to go but i was just curious....

[Vinman]

I have no experience with a spool bit in my opinion, a spool should be easier on the shafts than an auto locker like the Detroit, a lot less shocking on the shafts since they are "locked" together all the time.

Vince

[hps4evr]

spools wear your tires more. they are very predictable. and full spools seem to be very durable. its a chunk of steel, i doubt it would break in a TJ. on the street though they will be difficult to handle in tight turning situations, parking lots or parallel parking. but since its just a toy then i say go for it

[cLAY]

I've been running a spool in the rear for about 10years. Works well for me but does increase wear on tires. For a trail only rig I would go this route over an automatic locker. I also believe that breakage is less likely with a spool due to the torque always being split equally between both rear wheels. No chance of shock loading.

I should mention though that I run a full floating axle in the rear(D60) which is a pretty HD diff and due to its full floating design if I do break an axle I can just keep on driving and deal with it at home.

In 10years that diff has been thru 3 wheeling rigs, I first swapped it into my '73 Dodge 1/2ton with a built 360 and 35" tires, then my old XJ, 4.0 and 36s and now my ZJ w/5.2L and 37s and has never given me a single problem.

[FiEND]

i dont have sway bars and in the tj if i engage my rear locker and take a on or off-ramp... it's like death on wheels.  the body roll is incredible.  im running some pretty grippy MT's also.

tough to compare a leaf spring xj to a coiled tj in that sense - also the wheel base may make a difference.

if i had front and rear sway bars i think it would be doable though.

[Eagle Jeeper]

why not just weld it.  It would be cheaper. 

[hps4evr]

welding is an option. but why weld it when a brand new full spool costs less then 300$.  weld is even cheaper but if the welds break there is a good chance it will take everything with it.

[cLAY]

I cheaped out on mine and welded it. I welded it pretty good 10years ago and a few years ago I noticed some cracks so I rewelded REALLY good. However I have heard of welded carriers just breaking, not the welds but the case itself....

[Immortal]

that doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

[Jafar]

awesome, thanks for all the info, ya i keep reading that a spool is considerably strong and easier on the shafst when dispersing torque...so where would the weak point be, on the pinion?  ya, thoguht about welding it...but i'd have to pay someone to to do it for me, and a spool is pretty cheap anyway so....
anyway, think im gonna go for it...spooly..
what's the difference between and 'install kit' and 'overhaul kit' for gears...i'm about to order from northridge.

[Mikes off road]

I have a mini spool that I ran for about two years in my XJ. I am letting it go for $40. Nice thing is it just replaces the spider gears might give you a cheap chance to see if you like it.

[Bnine]

Overhaul kit has all the bearings and the pinion hardware, and the shims for adjusting the gear set.

Install kit should just be side bearings and a few shims.

Dave will explain it, or Stan, whichever Northridge you are dealing with.

[cLAY]

awesome, thanks for all the info, ya i keep reading that a spool is considerably strong and easier on the shafst when dispersing torque...so where would the weak point be, on the pinion? 

No the weak point will still probably be the shafts..... If you've got a wheel in the air and come down on it hard while spinning you can still snap it.