Was checking out my new petersons(May) and saw on page 93 that DTD advertised for a new 14 bolt mini spool $209. I called em up and was told what I expected. Wont be available for 3weeks to a month. Not mad or anything just thought id share it w/ everyone incase u didn't know. If u already knew about this or someone else makes one then I am behind. I have never seen one except custom made ones that were a one off. I at first was curios about how strong it would be but then I remembered, it is a 14 bolt, and the detroit fits in the stock carrier the same way. Just thought i'd share!

Just saw outlaw99TJ's post about it. So basically mines an update:D

Hey...something finally worth reading....

Cool, thx for the update...

I have a 14 Bolt and am deciding what to do with it.... How easy is the carrier in a 14 Bolt to take out and weld or install the detroit and reinstall. What is a good manual to buy for the 14 Bolt . The hayes doesnt have re-installation for the carrier and specs that I could see.


Thanks for the update.....

http://www.off-road.com/chevy/tech/detroit/ :flipoff2:

Thanks alot for that link I think that I am going to do that myself. The adjusting nuts make that sucker pretty easy!!!

Where do you look on the housing to find the stamp or identification tab, to find out what the gear ratio is.

If I recall correctly, the tag is simply bolted on with one of the diff cover bolts. However, its pretty easy to just it and figure out the ratio, there weren't very many (the only ones I know of are 3.73, 4.10 (most common), and 4.56 (maybe a 3.42, not sure on that one, though)).

Pete

Well I noticed that there wasnt one on the cover that is what I was wondering. Mine came out of a earlier tow truck so I am hoping that it is low....4:56. But I will have to see.

Originally posted by bigjeepinYJ
Where do you look on the housing to find the stamp or identification tab, to find out what the gear ratio is.

i have looked at alot of 14bolts and i have never seen a stamped tag with the gear ratio like other axles have. it's a bummer too!

Is the gear stamped or do you just spin the yoke.

the ring gear will be stamped with the ratio...I too have never seen a diif tag on a 14 bolt???

just wounding why not just pay the extra 100 and get a Detroit locker and not wear out your tires as fast as the spool?
Is the spool going to get better than a locker?
If so how?

Originally posted by kyrel69
just wounding why not just pay the extra 100 and get a Detroit locker and not wear out your tires as fast as the spool?
Is the spool going to get better than a locker?
If so how?

The spool doesn't give the unpredictability the Detroit does. I've got a Detroit in my TJ's rear 44 right now. Won't go that route again! I was hoping the spool would be out before I installed the 14 bolt and had to end up welding it up Only thing is...... Dave said it was going to be a full spool - not the mini!! Dammit!! Oh well, like Ricktard said...... the Detroits go in the original carrier too. :D

Thanks for the update Rick! I'll call Dave (DTD prez) tomorrow. :D :D

I would have to say that the detroit would be the easiest bolt in for me. After reading that article. I dont know if I want a full spool in it. You get used to a detroit. If you are using it for mostly offroad I would just choose what you like the best.

Tire wear is not a concern for me. My 4runner is not a DD and I just like the fact that I know its always locked up. The only thing I need to finish my 14 bolt is the locking diff. I almost ordered a Detroit today and just saw this in my Petersons. I will wait now for the mini spool. Welding it was another option, but regardless of who I got to weld it up( not a welder myself) I didn't want to risk any chunking or it ever breaking. Those dang 5.13 gearsets arent cheap!!

BTW, just so I don't get blamed for this. I am not 100% for sure it is a mini spool. Both of my sources mentioned only a mini, no talk about a full spool. Reasons being, very heavy spool if steel, and a lot more costly. Plus if the Detroits arent breaking the stock carrier, I doubt a spool will either. Another reason I am almost positive its a mini is because look at the add( p93 Petersons/May, it says New 14 bolt MINI spool, and look at the pic above that what other spool would have 4 pins sticking off of it like the Detroit for the 14 bolt :question: .

What is the cheapest that people have found the Detroits for 14 Bolts? I am going to order one I know that someone has found a cheap source.....!

the only thing i could think of that may be a problem is the stock pins. the detroit used it's own pins. not that i question the strength of the stock 14bolt pins but it is the only concern i would have running the mini spool until it was tested.

I talked with Dave Rittenhouse today. The spool that DTD is advertising is a mini-spool. They have a 2nd party company working on a full spool for them right now also. This company is also balking somewhat because they have to forge the complete spool instead of a few parts to throw in the stock carrier. Dave said it should be out in a few months tho.
The mini-spool will be available in about 2 weeks.

Hope this answers some of the questions you may have.

BTW: I'm not associated with DTD - but I did get my gears there!

Is it going to cost about $200?

Originally posted by Outlaw99TJ


The spool doesn't give the unpredictability the Detroit does. I've got a Detroit in my TJ's rear 44 right now. Won't go that route again! I was hoping the spool would be out before I installed the 14 bolt and had to end up welding it up Only thing is...... Dave said it was going to be a full spool - not the mini!! Dammit!! Oh well, like Ricktard said...... the Detroits go in the original carrier too. :D

Thanks for the update Rick! I'll call Dave (DTD prez) tomorrow. :D :D up untill this weekend i had a detroit, now im running a spool............... ill let ya know how she feels compared to a detroit.... btw ive been running a detroit since 1998

Originally posted by kyrel69
Is it going to cost about $200?

The mini-spool is advertised at $209 in the mag ad for Drivetrain Direct.
If you're asking about the full-spool, I do not know.