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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: mbruce on May 21, 2011, 10:04:26 AM

Title: Mini spool on DD
Post by: mbruce on May 21, 2011, 10:04:26 AM
Why is it mini spools or spools for the rear isn't good for a DD...I was under the impression that today's AWD like on the Subaru have all 4 turning at all times...unless I'm not understanding today's AWD technology

Thanks!
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: fordem on May 21, 2011, 10:52:39 AM
I suspect you're misunderstanding the technology - today's AWD technology will have three differentials - fromt, rear & centre - and are really "one wheel drive" - go ahead, jack up any one wheel, and see if it will move.

The front & rear diffs will, in most cases, be an open differential, the center differential will vary with the vehicle - some are open, some are selectable and some are electronically controlled and do not engage until there is some slip of the drive wheels.

Any how you twist & turn it - in the default "on-road" mode, when in a turn the inner wheels are allowed to rotate at a different speed to the outer wheels (inner & outer relative to the turn) as are the front & rear wheels - with your mini spool, you prevent the differential action required for the inner/outer wheels to rotate at different speeds and will end up with a number of issues such as increased tire wear, larger turning circle and to some extent a loss of stability depending on the road surface.

For the sake of "correctness" - some AWDs will not have a center differential at all, but will have a "viscous" coupling that allows the slip required for the front & rear wheels to rotate at different sppeds.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: mbruce on May 21, 2011, 10:58:42 AM
That's makes much better sense.  I've googled the topic and read various sites but then Subaru has an interactive program that shows what their AWD does and it really is misleading if you don't have anyone's knowledge to fall back on.

Thanks for your input and help!

Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: LostZuk on May 29, 2011, 08:42:17 AM
I have run spooled rear and to be honest with you as long as you get it out in a parking lot and get used to it before taking off out on the roads you will be fine. The biggest thing to remember is if you get snow at all and you are locked, that thing will come around faster then a ticked off woman.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: wildgoody on May 29, 2011, 09:32:39 AM
True, but even a loc-rite will do that, in fact it will come around in the snow/ice if you just think about it  :o

Wild
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: LostZuk on May 29, 2011, 04:44:52 PM
True, but even a loc-rite will do that, in fact it will come around in the snow/ice if you just think about it  :o

Wild

LMAO Good point, my buddy convinced his mother that a little Tracker was a great idea for a winter vehicle. First snow fall and highway speed and she was facing the wrong way on the highway. That was the end of that.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: Capt on May 29, 2011, 09:18:04 PM
In a previous post, I had mentioned that "Locked Front Axle" with a "Open Rear" is the Idea of Choice here in "Snow Country"

A "Locked Rear" will create a "Whole Lot of Push"...... and the rest is a whole lot of Jesus SOMETHINGS !!!

Dat Displaced Yooper, CAPT
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: asuna basher on May 29, 2011, 10:57:11 PM
hummm this thread has got me thinking about putting a mini spool in the front of my tracker and leaving the back open has anyone ran this combo before primary use is a hunting vehicle but does see some snow  and does see some road driving  any input thx
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: wildgoody on May 29, 2011, 11:13:49 PM
It's going to be near imposable to steer 
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: mbruce on May 30, 2011, 03:53:11 AM
Better hit up the "shake weight" and do some forearm curls and some grip exercises...
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: LostZuk on May 30, 2011, 08:27:32 AM
A locked front still needs to be driven with respect in the snow and ice as it will shoot straight through and intended turn as opposed to tracking like an open diff would. Ask me how I know  ;D? All I can say is thank God for 38's and lots of gearing.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: wildgoody on May 30, 2011, 10:40:38 AM
Even a loc-right up front wants to plow in the dirt, unless you have a twin stick
so you can stop driving the front axle, and that is even more difficult to steer
than an open front.

I don't think I would go with any spool in the front, for snow use I would first
go ARB, then Limited Slip, then locker and last, and I would not do it, spool

I know the mini spools are attractive because of low cost but for that savings
you might pay a much bigger price in damage to your rig

My $.02
Wild
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: Jluck on May 30, 2011, 11:47:14 AM
spools are fine for the front if you never need to steer your vehicle.  ::) (sarcasm). spools and welded fronts even in a "off road only" rig make for a terrible wheeling/driving experience. it will quickly take the fun out of the experience. save the money and get a selectable locker or maybe a winch. ;) 
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: Capt on May 31, 2011, 08:01:39 AM
Sorry,

Running on the frozen Lakes, and the like, a True LOCKED front is OK,
Yes in rocks, hard terrain, it will need a little MANLINESS to turn,

Also, A limited Slip would be a better choice, as mentioned

      But then also, I usually don't throw it into 4X4 until the roads turn to
                           Real S#*T and I greatly reduce my ground speed to boot!
We still get them..... 2 ft ..."Flurries" here.

CAPT
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: Jluck on May 31, 2011, 08:22:19 AM
sorry for what?

every body has a opinion right?

 what is true locked? a mechanical locker? that's a world apart from a spool or welded. like I said if your wheeling consists of straight line only stuff (hard to call it wheeling) a welded/spool could work. the ones I have had/drove sucked ass. when under throttle the steering wheel tries to straighten its self back out. (not all that fun IMO) and damn hard to manage your rig when it has a mind of its own on where it wants to go.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: Bigzook on May 31, 2011, 04:30:36 PM
On a side note, If you ever want to know how much tire wear/resistance a spool causes, try pushing a samurai on 33" tires and a rear spool on the asphalt around a corner.
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: mbruce on May 31, 2011, 06:34:11 PM
maybe that should be on world's strongest man...
Title: Re: Mini spool on DD
Post by: asuna basher on June 01, 2011, 10:23:37 PM
well i gotta say i just love the internet where else could you put out a question and get so many answers but they all say the same thing, don't do it i think i well take the advice of those who have "been there" and save my money for a winch and not kill my little rig thx for everyones input