what would the drawbacks be if i were to install a spool in the front of my 84? i have stock birfs and i was thinking the only drawback would be stress on the birfs and hubs on hardpack surfaces. most of the time i would leave the hubs unlocked anyways so it wouldnt effect them but i was just thinking of how i want to build my rig up for the trails. maybe i should just do a locker as it would ratchet rather than the birfs taking all the stress. an arb air locker would be bad ass but its not in my budget right now. as for the rear im deffinatly goil with a locker, ive seen the powertrax and the lock rites and heard good things about them, also the aussie sounds like a good locker. the rig will see some on road use like getting to the trails and the occasional trip to the gas station and beer runs but its mostly goimg to be a toy. not going to do any serious rock crawling mostly mudd pits and trail riding, i plan on a trail gear lift with high steer and all the goodies like longfields eventually, im just trying to get ideas before i buy tires and the lift kit so i can re gear at the same time. any input is appreciated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

well your steering will be drastically reduced especially with a spool if anything i'd go with a locker it should not be to hard on the birfields as long as you dont rod on her when the wheels are turned hard.

personally i have had no trouble withnher open in the front i have gone farther with a non locked front than those with one especially in the mud and on hills / actual trails. the only time i have been out wheeled by one was on a very serious rock crawling trail. and that was also because he had 39.5 sx swampers and i had 36 swampers.

nick

I wouldn't spool the front, a non-selectable upfront is better than a spool, but not ideal when the hubs are locked, especially on tight trails. I would just install an ARB in the rear, and run an open front, while you decide if you really need a front locker. Most of my buddies that run dual ARB's rarely ever use the front one, it is basically more of a luxury than a necessity. I have found that my rear ARB has been all I need so far in my '90.

I agree, except if there was money in the budget for an ARB, I think it should go in the front and the rear should have the cheap lunchbox, instead of the other way around.

Otherwise, just Lockrite the rear and call it good for now and then you can always Lockrite the front if you find that there's anyplace you can't aways go.

I had a Lockrite up front and I hated it. Steering was difficult and it generally more of a pain than it was worth. I definately wouldn't spool the front.

I have an ARB up front now, but the only time it gets cycled on is if I get stuck in the snow or on super slick steep muddy trails, so for most rigs, an open front is perfectly fine.

I ran a welded front in the mud toy. Just unlock the drivers side hub and it turned just fine. Kinda like a poor mans selectable, only the same one tire is spinning all the time. Lock in both before you go into the slop and you'll be glad both fronts are turning.

The lock-rite style locker is harder on the front end that a spool. I ran a E-Z lock in my front end for two rides and broke more birfs than all my riding put together. When you realy get on it and that locker is unlocked it will lock sending a jolt down the axle. I pulled out the locker and put my welded carier back in only broke one sence. That was a year ago.

It sure dose turn a lot better though. I spend less time backing up and turning than I did changing axles on the trail.

If you run a lock-rite style locker RUN THE HARDEND PIN.

I plan on a selectable in the front one day, for now I'll just keep unlocking one hub on long tight trail.

i'd look into an aussie locker. still think they are the cheapest of the lunchbox lockers, and you'll like it better than a spool with regards to the steering.

still havn't heard anything bad about em', love mine, and they have an awsome warranty
hope this helps
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My advice is have power steering and only lock in the diffs where pavement doesnt exhist. I have a detroit in the back and a lock-right in the front. I have 5.71 gears and run 37 boggers..... havent broke anything expensive yet. But then I baby my truck and take it to car shows and stuff <--being sarcastic!!