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Opinions... Spool vs. Locker (infrequent “daily” driver)

B.N.Z.MTNS

B.N.Z.MTNS

Elevation 8,500’
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Posts
534
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187
Location
Western Slope, CO (Elevation 8,500’)
As I still peruse Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for 1 tons to shove under the burb, I have seen some 14BFF units advertised with a spool. I have run lockers and obviously open axles before, but I have not run a daily driver with a spool.
I know there’s plenty of discussions comparing their traits and differences in regards to off road use, but I cannot find much in regards to pros and cons when daily driving. Should I even consider a spooled unit or would I be better off to buy an open axle and put a Detroit in?

As always, I’m looking for the most budget friendly way to get stronger axles and a lower gear ratio under this tank. I’ve been looking at axles that somebody has already done some work on rather than buying open units with high gears where I would have to redo everything.

Thanks in advance
 
I don't think a spool on the street will be nice on your tires. If you where daily on dirt roads prob not a big deal. If you have any intention of traveling and camping in your burb i wouldn't go spool.
you should be able to find a g80 gov lock easy in a 14bff. they better than the 10 bolt size. Shouldn't break the bank either.
 
I do not like spools on street driven vehicles, period. They can steer the vehicle on ice/snow pack and loop your ass in the ditch. Happened to my sister in her Jeep 2x
Where you are at, wouldn't advise it

Wonderful thing on a 14FF, the detroit goes in the carrier and may be the least expensive option. The newer ones with the "soft lock" are supposed to be a lot better than the older slam handle style
 
Wes Harden said:
I don't think a spool on the street will be nice on your tires. If you where daily on dirt roads prob not a big deal. If you have any intention of traveling and camping in your burb i wouldn't go spool.
you should be able to find a g80 gov lock easy in a 14bff. they better than the 10 bolt size. Shouldn't break the bank either.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do have about 6 - 10 Miles of dirt road depending on which way I want to get to the highway, but then after that I will probably be barking tires everywhere I went.

Bent77 said:
I do not like spools on street driven vehicles, period. They can steer the vehicle on ice/snow pack and loop your ass in the ditch. Happened to my sister in her Jeep 2x
Where you are at, wouldn't advise it

Wonderful thing on a 14FF, the detroit goes in the carrier and may be the least expensive option. The newer ones with the "soft lock" are supposed to be a lot better than the older slam handle style
Click to expand...

I haven’t heard of the newer Detroits with a “soft lock”. Does that mean they don’t pop and bang when you’re backing out of a parking spot?
 
Bent77 said:
@B.N.Z.MTNS do you have a FF axle now, and shopping for a locked and regeared one?
Click to expand...

No full floater now.
I doubt I’ll ever harm my current axle, but if I’m going to invest anything in gears or a locker, I’d rather invest it in a full floater unit.

I’ve mainly been looking around for CUCV axles or a set of one tons that somebody has already got some lower gears in the locker in.
 
B.N.Z.MTNS said:
No full floater now.
I doubt I’ll ever harm my current axle, but if I’m going to invest anything in gears or a locker, I’d rather invest it in a full floater unit.

I’ve mainly been looking around for CUCV axles or a set of one tons that somebody has already got some lower gears in the locker in.
Click to expand...
Yes the old Detroit’s hit hard. Probably changed those 10-15 years back. A used FF with a Detroit could be your best bet if the gears are right. Lots of those CUCV sets get separated because guys only want the 60
 
I’ve daily driven 2 trucks with a 14 bolt and a Detroit, one was a swb K10 and the other a crew cab. Neither truck was unpleasant to drive, the crew cab was unnoticeable and the K10 was noticeable but fine to drive. In fact, it was most noticeable in the K10 when it was a 4spd, with an auto it wasn’t bad but it chirpped tires a lot.

That said, I have a spool in my Blazer. The Blazer is a dedicated wheeler but I do drive it on the street occasionally and the spool always seems to have a “bound up” feelimg the the Detroit never did.
 
nvrenuf said:
...the spool always seems to have a “bound up” feeling the the Detroit never did.
Click to expand...

Thats what I’m worried about. I love living out in the middle of nowhere at elevation... but when the roads are snow packed and icy for 4 - 5 months out of the year... it could be a bit sketchy heading to town.
So far I have only used my winch to get others off the side of the road... I don’t want to start using it for myself too much.
 
I won’t change my Blazer because it’s a wheeler but, after having driven one, I would never weld or install a spool in anything that could be a daily driver.
 
Bent77 said:
Yucky part is, you want a selectable. But your wallet won’t agree
Click to expand...

That’s the toughest part for me. We are self employed with two separate businesses... that’s why it took so long for me to get a square body after selling my K5 seven years ago.
Now that I have it... the rona has ruined income stream for many folks.
We had a few unexpected expenses with our horse business and I can’t put the effort into the burb that I would like.

I told myself that I wasn’t going to use this as rough since it’s going to be more of a family friendly “reliable” rig. But I also don’t want to be the newbie at BB20 with a broken rig because I didn’t prepare.

I’m probably overthinking it...
or I just want cool stuff :dunno:
 
Probably yes and yes on the last part

8 lug wheels already?
 
Be patient and see if a FF shows up for decent price with the gears and maybe a locker. One of the GJ guys will probably find one
 
Bent77 said:
@500$k5 @oatsk5 @6872xtc @Capt Ron

FF to fit a Burb, 4.10 and hopefully Detroit
Click to expand...

I’ve actually chatted with every one of these guys in the last few months and was actually at Patrick’s shop today talking about BB20 prep.
I was selling everything I could to by the CUCV that CaptRon had. I sold my dirt bike about a week after he found a buyer already.

This is definitely the right group to network with....
CK5ers are all solid people.
 
B.N.Z.MTNS said:
I told myself that I wasn’t going to use this as rough since it’s going to be more of a family friendly “reliable” rig. But I also don’t want to be the newbie at BB20 with a broken rig because I didn’t prepare.

I’m probably overthinking it...
or I just want cool stuff :dunno:
Click to expand...

I'd say overthinking it. Dont get me wrong better suspension and lockers help but getting familiar with your rig and listening to spotters will get you through harder trails than you think.
 
I definitely would go selectable if you had the money, Detroit next, but not a spool where we live. And running around in the mountains like you apparently are, heck no! Snow would be spooky with a spool, I bet.
Now if you found an axle that had a spool, but was a good price, then it's just a carrier swap. But I doubt that a 4:10 axle would be the most likely to have a spool.
I will try to ask around.
 
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