It also depends on your driving style.  That is why I like the ARB, it's on or off.  And if it's off for some reason I can still drive away all normal like. 

As for the spool, that is what I run in my SJ-410 trail rig but for a DD I wouldn't recommend it.  It will constantly put strain on your rear axles when driving on pavement and sooner or later they will die from axle fatigue.  Also, if you put large enough tires on you get a lot of movement from the rear end loading up and popping loose on pavement, so you probably shouldn't run 37" tires with the stock rear axle. 

Although my sami isn't quite a daily driver, it IS a 3-4 day a week (40 miles total) driver.  I really prefer the spool over the lock-rite in the rear of mine.  I feel that a Samurai is light enough to allow for that inside tire movement without placing excessive strain on the axles.  My experience with the lock-rite in the rear is that it almost always locks up on the pavement during a corner anyway (except when coasting).  Although the spool NEVER ratchets (obviously), I really don't feel that it adds any significant strain on the drivetrain components over the lock-rite. 
And...I have NEVER broken a rear axle with a spool in the Samurai...I HAVE broken 2 rear shafts on separate occasions with a lock-rite.  I've logged tens of thousands of street and off road miles with both under 2 different Samurais over about 10 years.  I've never experienced a problem with excessive tire wear, worn out splines, twisted shafts, etc.  Of course, if a person is planning on putting 100,000 street miles on their rig a spool probably isn't the best choice. 

And, I'll agree that a selectable locker is really the way to go; I'm running an Auburn Ected in the rear of my wife's XJ now (she didn't like the characteristics of the lock rite either).  More $$ yes, but for a rig that sees a lot of street miles, it really is the best way to go.

Not saying anybody else is wrong, just adding my .02.  My experience leads me to prefer the lock rite in the front, and a spool in the rear of a Samurai.  Other rigs/situations may require different components. 

yea but im not locking the front on a DD that has no power steering. i am running 33's now. i wouldnt be able to turn the dang thing. i would like to get ARB's front and rear, it would just take me forever to save for those. thank you for the advise built4thrashing, i may have to try that if i dont decide to just save the money for ARB's.

yea but im not locking the front on a DD that has no power steering. i am running 33's now. i wouldnt be able to turn the dang thing.

I understand your rig is a DD; but with the hubs unlocked, it doesn't matter what is in the front differential on the street...spool, lock-rite, ARB, whatever.  It has no effect on steering, until the hubs are locked in.  The lock-rite works well in the front, because it does allow some free movement before locking up, reducing the steering effort. 

My advice allows you to progressively upgrade as time goes on without needing to buy unnecessary parts, or try to sell stuff you can't use in your upgrade process.  I realize you aren't planning on locking it up now, just trying to help you plan for the future!

Not saying anybody else is wrong, just adding my .02.  My experience leads me to prefer the lock rite in the front, and a spool in the rear of a Samurai.  Other rigs/situations may require different components. 

That is what the board is for, sharing opinions so people can make a choice. 

well i am new to owning my samurai and a 4x4 for that matter. (only 18). i never even thought about unlocking the hubs with it locked in the front. thank you for the advice and the knowledge bc doing it that way would save me alot of money and allow me to lock the rear up for now. thank you so much. and drone637 your very right. and others knowledge is very helpful to people like myself who are new to the offroading world.

well i am new to owning my samurai and a 4x4 for that matter. (only 18). i never even thought about unlocking the hubs with it locked in the front. thank you for the advice and the knowledge bc doing it that way would save me alot of money and allow me to lock the rear up for now. thank you so much. and drone637 your very right. and others knowledge is very helpful to people like myself who are new to the offroading world.

Well, you're doing the right thing by researching first!

Spool or lock rite, something that locks the diff is just about the best thing you can do to add off road capability.  Too many people spend their $$ on lift, tires, wheels, etc. and ignore the locker  A stock Sami with one locker will go places that you never imagined possible, and it will out wheel something with a huge lift and big tires on 95% of the terrain out there. 

I think selectable lockers are the king; in fact, I just ordered 3 ARB's for the rockwells in my Deuce.  But at close to $3000, that isn't for everybody...the Samurai is what I would consider a budget wheeler.  At $100, the spool is cheap!  I would consider a $200 lock-rite or Spartan locker a good deal as well.  Either one will likely work out well for you.

Despite the fact that I prefer a spool in the rear axle, I'm still advising you go with a lock rite (or spartan) locker; as described in my upgrade process in my earlier post, it allows you to choose to buy another lock-rite or change over to a spool later on when you decide to lock up the front axle and this process evens out the cost of upgrading both axles.  This way you get to experience both setups in your own rig.  I will be doing this EXACT upgrade on a friend's samurai next month (he has a lock rite in his rear axle; I will be moving it up front with some new axleshafts, and installing a spool in the rear axle). 

well i plan on doing exactly what you suggested. it seems like a good idea and your right im on a budget, i have my wheels, tires and lift already, but im not ignoring the lockers. its one of the next things on my list.

what is the difference between a spool and a mini spool

thats a good question ^^^^ i dont know the difference maybe someone can chime in that knows

also, im running 33's, what would be the best transfer case gears to go with to get the best offroad performance but still be able to go fast enough to drive on the road. i do drive it a good bit on the road.

what is the difference between a spool and a mini spool

A spool (or full spool) replaces the entire ring gear carrier.  The ring gear is unbolted from the stock carrier assembly, and bolts to the new spool. 

A mini-spool simply replaces the spider gears inside of the stock carrier.  The crosspins that the spider gears used to rotate on pass through the mini spool, locking it to the carrier. 

They both accomplish the same thing; full lockup of the axleshafts.  Depending on application, a full spool may be stronger.  In a Samurai or Toyota axle, the stock carrier is quite strong and handles the mini-spool just fine. 

thank u .. im going to put the spool in the rear and later lock the front

same here, rocky road has one for $99. and from what i read and hear rocky road akes good stuff. i'll also be buying my Lockrite Locker from them too. another $199

My advice is to buy from Trail Tough, I have seen some shady stuff come from Rocky road.

My advice is to buy from Trail Tough ...

TrailTough will not steer you wrong. I live about 1000 miles away and plan trips past their place to get work done there. Research your suppliers before committing your funds. You'll soon learn who the "Good, Bad and ugly" are.