[bigugly78CJ5]

hey all quick question, what the hell is a strange spool, and is worth a damn in off road conditions?...and on road?

[Jim B]

Strange Engineering Spool.

It is a cheap way of locking your differentials. Think of a locker, full time, all the time. Used a lot for racing.


I'ts a spool that is Strange!

[1BDYJ]

A spool is just a carrier with splined sides...no spider gears or side gears like a Lock-Rite. It is a "carrier" that the ring gear bolts to and the axle shafts slip into. They are real good off-road....positive lock---all the time!! On road they are real tuff to get used to, especially in the rain or wet pavement, the rear end wants to push the vehicle straight while your trying to turn. ever drive a 4 wheeler with a straight rea axle and try to turn?....same difference. Did you ever hear a truck or car go around a turn and the tires go chirp, chirp, chirp....Thats because with a spool both tires turn at the same speed all the time. No differential action. In a turn the inside tire turns at a different speed than the outside tire and most "lockers" will release one side gear when turning, thus not allowing the one tire to chirp while turning.
Hope I was of some help and not too confusing in my explanation.

[281 QuadCam]

strange, my r/p box would have me believe, is a division of US gear. Strange is top quality
everyone ive ever heard of with a spool has loved it and would never go back to anythign else... if your willing to learn to love it onroad... however what is more jarring? clicking, tapping, booming, chirping, and loud banging mixed with the rear locking and unlocking with a mind of its own sometimes....... or simply knowing around every turn what to expect, no quirks, no variables, no clicking, or ratcheting, just straight up locked...
you can eventually get used to a spool, an auto locker can always suprise you.

[Rollbar]

So lets take a poll.

How many have the spool?

How many have the locker?

Lets hear from these people & get some more insite cause I need one! but which one.
Rob knows, he seen me trying to get up that hill w/out a locker.

Thanks,
RollBar

[Jim B]

Guys, we had a discussion a while back on Lockers....

Locker Thread

Spooling is not bad especially if the rig is an off road only. I think you will hate it if you drive it on the street and if you plan to do rocks out West with better traction on the trails. The Locker thread has an explanation I wrote with regards to this issue.

I've heard of people spool the rear, go wheeling, come back home, take it appart and remove the spool. Don't know if I could personally do this. :tdown:

[Rollbar]

Ya, I forgot Jim we did cover this a while back.

I just thought thing may have changed.

Aussie locker!

Have A Good Day!
RollBar

[281 QuadCam]

ive heard nothing but great things about the aussie locker... however ive never seen one in florida, i have no first hand experience with it. if its still going for its introductory price of 199 at offroadlockers.com, its the best deal going on any locker right now... in fact less than most spools cost. I would have done it... but they didnt have one out for the 9" when i was putting it together. good luck

[Jim B]

Hey guys,

Does anyone have any specs, pictures or info (type of locker) on the workings of the Aussie locker they can post on here?

I've never seen or heard of anyone using it yet.

[281 QuadCam]

these dudes HERE are the biggest supplier of it so far... the 199 special only runs till october i believe... here is their FAQ which might answer some questions. looks just like a lock rite to me, with some design tweaks and tunes, stronger metalergy, and a high strength cross shaft standard.
installation should be as easy as a lockrite, an afternoon deal.
if your going lunchbox - this is the hottest thing going from what i hear.

Theres also some good writeups on the PBB, search for "aussie locker" PBB search