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rear diff spool question

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hipluther01

hipluther01

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Location
Paducah KY
RC Driving Style
  1. Bashing
  2. Racing
I'm looking to install a spool in the rear diff of my project maxx. I'm kinda curious about them. Do you basically just install a gear on it and your ready to go?
 
I'm pretty sure that's all there is to it. We put a spool in a buddies E Maxx years ago, and I remember it being a very simple install. It will make your truck handle like hell, though. Lots of extra stress on the drivetrain, too.
 
Shouldn't be much to it really. Back before actual parts were available people would just shove the diff full of silly putty or something like that. It'll make the truck harder to turn in grass and pavement but very loose on dirt. Yes, it does indeed induce more stress on the drivetrain because there is no outlet for excess energy be applied.
 
Well my lhs said they are putting in a track and it wil be dirt, so i suppose it would help then. If you put a spool in the front you prolly wouldnt have hardly any turning or would it help? I'm thinking about making my truck back into a 4WD. With all the power from the new motor I think ill need to distribute it a lil more
 
I honestly can't think of any advantage to a locked differential other than crawling. I just don't see the point. If you are going to race your truck I would strongly advice against it.
 
Lesson's right. It won't steer good at all. A spool in the front would be 10 times worse handling wise than one in the back. The only reasons to lock the diffs is crawling, drag racing(though this is questionable too) and pulling.
 
Metalhead Matt said:
Lesson's right. It won't steer good at all. A spool in the front would be 10 times worse handling wise than one in the back. The only reasons to lock the diffs is crawling, drag racing(though this is questionable too) and pulling.
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And drifting, though to a much lesser extent than crawling/drag racing. You get more bang for your drifting buck by locking the read diffs and just going heavy on the front.
 
Whether or not you'll like a spool depends on your driving skill and prferences. I run a spool in my truck and like it. Just bashing, I haven't had any problems but on loose surfaces it will test your driving for sure. I hoping for track time soon, but I like swinging the tail around so I don't expect too too many issues.
Also, you won't get stuck/hung-up on stuff as easy either.
It IS harder on the driveline, I have definately broken more dogbones with it. I found some titanium bones that should help with that though.(BTW,my truck is a Savage)

Bottom line, everyone has their own preferences, I recommend you try it and see for yourself. It's simple to swap out if you don't like it.
 
Racer 1966 said:
Bottom line, everyone has their own preferences, I recommend you try it and see for yourself. It's simple to swap out if you don't like it.
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Or instead of actually buying the part go ahead and find something you can cram in there to test it out before possibly wasting money on a part. got any playdough or something like that laying around? Actually, that might be toosoft.. dunno. never tried it.
 
The part is only like $8, I just installed one in my last week and like it so far, I haven't got to run it much since then though. It will deffinetly test skills on loose terrain.
 
you will need to upgrade you rear dogbones. i broke them so easy even on dirt when i installed my spool
 
good i broke the left plastic one and said screw it i drove on and broke the right plastic so i drove around in front wheel drive only
 
Wow, the only time you would need this is for crawling obstacles or drag racing. If you're going to put it on a track, you'll hate it. Spend more time and money dialing in suspension and leave the difs alone, other than possible putting in some fresh fluid now and then.
 

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