steering with a spool

[mighty midjet]

i'm thinking about a spool or a lincoln locker in the front axle. but i'm not sure how it would steer once i engage the hubs. what do you guys think? bigok

[LostSoul]

It is doable, just better make sure your arms are in good shape LOL. I know a few guys that do it, but if I were you, I would leave one hub open until it is needed.

[hillbilly]

:agree:

[jbzukin]

if you are in mud it is not bad, but only wants to go straight.
if you are on hard pack or rock it can be a real pain.
we had a trail truck that was welded front and back and we were breaking birfs on the hardpack.
a buddy with a toyota has his welded as well and he breaks axles and birfields.
leaving one hub open is a good option but remember all the power that goes to the front axle will be going through that one shaft.

[elotsip]

I think it sucks. I had my front welded and in the mud or sand it was okay but otherwise I hated it. Plus I broke two birf's while backing up and turning with the welded front. I got tired of having to hop out and unlock a hub every time I needed to make a turn.

[WVhillbilly]

A Lock Rite is under $200

[mighty midjet]

no weldy then thanks guys

[LostSoul]

Honestly if you can get a Lock Rite they are nice, but I would weld it until you can get a selectable unit depending on your wheeling style. Just hit the Gym until you are big enough not to worry LOL! Last season I tore my Tri Cept in my left arm from one Arming my Manual Steering in the Zuk, but it was my own fault for trying to do something I should not have.

[purevil71]

I'm welded F/R with Toy axles, and Toy PS as well. The power steering helps out quite a bit, but the turning radius still sucks. You can pretty much forget tight turns if you run a spool or welded front. I have to do 15 point turns still, I can just do them with one finger....lol

When I had the sami axles, I had a locker in the front and it wasn't as bad, but it was still hard. I'm more worried about off road performance than on road anyway, so I put up with it. I guess I've been lucky as well, cuz I wheel the snot out of my rig and have never broken an axle either.

[Nor Cal Wheelin]

I have a couple trucks welded front and rear. I tolerate the rear on the street and love it off road. I have never noticed the front end on the street, because I unlock my hubs. The rear sucks realy bad until around 45 miles and hour or on the freeway.. Then I dont notice it at all. Parking lots at the market are priceless though... I love it when there are people all over, I will crank the steering to the lock and turn corners.... It produces a horrible scrathing sounds.... How ever, when off road.... I need the extra traction more then I need to be able to turn real tight...Most of the time. And like stated, When I need to turn real tight, I will unlock one or both hubs. I have a big dodge ram charger that is welded with flanges... That gets interesting... Anyways, like anything else, if you do this mod to your vehicle, you will in time become use to it and learn to work with it or around it. I will continue doing this to my trucks, I feel its an awsome modification for off road. I hate mine in the mud and sand how ever... That may just be personal preferance.... Good luck.

[zukinut]

Right now 2 people in my group have spools in their rigs. I hate waiting on them to turn and i hate even more to hear them bitch about how hard it is to turn. So im guessin its a bad thing to have a spool up front.

Will

[mattwehrly]

I like a spool in the rearof a vehicle except at slow speed trying to turn on pavement. They are way easier to live with, with a automatic. I DO NOT like them with the sami axles. they twist splines and break axles. They are just not strong enough. Do every one on the trail with you a favor and don't run them in the front. It gets real annoying to have to stop and wait for a guy to jump in and out of his vehicle to unlock a hub so he can turn. Save up for a lockrite. Welded front is HACK. Don't be a cheap a**.

[LostSoul]

I have heard a lot of Bitching about waiting for people to get out and Unlock a Hub, I have to say you guys must wheel with a bunch of Snails, it takes about 20 seconds to jump out flip a hub and jump back in, Hell I have that much time just waiting for the Jeeps to get out of my way.

[hillbilly]

I have heard a lot of Bitching about waiting for people to get out and Unlock a Hub, I have to say you guys must wheel with a bunch of Snails, it takes about 20 seconds to jump out flip a hub and jump back in, Hell I have that much time just waiting for the Jeeps to get out of my way.

Damn heeps anyway!:funny:

[LostSoul]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! Thought you would like that!

[mattwehrly]

you must not wheel seat belted in. Come wheel our rocks, you would be tired from crawling in and out. Bottom line is your a cheap *ss B*sterd. if you can't save up $200 for a lockrite.