Running a 14 bolt. Don't like how the Detroit throws you on the highway when it locks and unlocks. I'd prefer not to weld the spider gears -Does anyone make a spool for the 14 bolt? If so -where from. If not -where's the cheapest place to find the Detroit?
thanks in advance

Unless I was really wasted and dreaming I think there is someone building a spool for the 14 ff but why spend the money? weld it up!

I met a guy in Madisonville, TN once that told me he melts lead fishing weight into his spider gears, he said it work and if you want to remove the "weld" you just melt it out with a torch, never tried it myself. ColoradoK5.com has section on welding the spider gears. You don't actually have to weld them to the carrier, just put a couple of spot welds between several of the teeth, just enought to keep the gears from turn, that way it doesn't ruin your carrier.

Drivetrain Direct has a mini spool that fits in your open carrier the same way the detroit does. I heard that Cone Industries is coming out with a mini spool as well. Cone has a spool listed on their site, but it is for a 46 spline axle:eek: . Camo's speed.:D

Thanks -that's just what I needed to know.
46 spline axles?!?!?! Hmmmm...

Originally posted by Oxblood
I met a guy in Madisonville, TN once that told me he melts lead fishing weight into his spider gears, he said it work and if you want to remove the "weld" you just melt it out with a torch, never tried it myself. ColoradoK5.com has section on welding the spider gears. You don't actually have to weld them to the carrier, just put a couple of spot welds between several of the teeth, just enought to keep the gears from turn, that way it doesn't ruin your carrier.

That is one of the wildest things I have heard in a long time. Before I relied on that setup I would have to consult my machinists handbook. As I recall lead is inherently soft which says to me that it probably won't hold up to the stresses put out by the gears in the differential.

Originally posted by Oxblood
ColoradoK5.com has section on welding the spider gears. You don't actually have to weld them to the carrier, just put a couple of spot welds between several of the teeth, just enought to keep the gears from turn, that way it doesn't ruin your carrier.
Welding the spiders as per the write-up on ColoradoK5 isn't the best plan. I had mine welded like that for a little under 2 years, then I recently pulled the carrier to clean and inspect the spiders out of curiosity. The side gears had been cutting into the welds over time creating more and more play until the side gear teeth began to crack and chip. Yes the carrier is still OK, but another month or two and it may have grenaded.:eek:

If you're gonna weld it up weld it solid to the cross...or bite the bullet and weld it all to the carrier.

I have a Detroit now and even with a 4 speed I find it has really decent road manners. I haven't had "Locker induced lane change" yet.:)

It is way more manueverable in tight places too. About the only quirk is when I have to shift gears midway through a turn...it doesn't bang or anything but the amount of steering input needed changes a little.

I'd take the Detroit over the spool...but my truck sees DD duty.

Rene

Mine is my daily driver too. My problem with the Detroit is that I have a built 514ci motor and a heavy right foot :D . Thanks for the info on the welded spider gears -I was thinking that the little bit of play that's left -just gives the gears a "running start" at breaking the weld.
I'm going to go with a spool. Thanks for all your help.

Originally posted by tRusty

Welding the spiders as per the write-up on ColoradoK5 isn't the best plan. I had mine welded like that for a little under 2 years, then I recently pulled the carrier to clean and inspect the spiders out of curiosity. The side gears had been cutting into the welds over time creating more and more play until the side gear teeth began to crack and chip. Yes the carrier is still OK, but another month or two and it may have grenaded.:eek:



Yep, i noticed the play in mine after a month or so..I welded the holy crap outta the whole thing since then and it seems to be holding up..

I'd recommend not welding to the carrier though...if you grenade the insides, you can just swap in a mini spool, detroit, or another set of welded gears..if you weld the whole thing together, then you have to replace the carrier which means more work setting up the gears, finding another carrier, etc...

Originally posted by tRusty
Welding the spiders as per the write-up on ColoradoK5 isn't the best plan. I had mine welded like that for a little under 2 years, then I recently pulled the carrier to clean and inspect the spiders out of curiosity. The side gears had been cutting into the welds over time creating more and more play until the side gear teeth began to crack and chip.

Originally posted by Scout Dude


Yep, i noticed the play in mine after a month or so..I welded the holy crap outta the whole thing since then and it seems to be holding up..



This is good input. I was wondering how long it was going to take before someone was going to check on their set up and get back with a report. I welded mine up the same way but it has yet to get put back in the Blaz. I think I will pull it back apart and weld on it a little more.

Rodzzilla...do you have a link to the Cone Industries site? I called Drivetrain Direct and according to the guy on the phone -the spool isn't in production yet.
Those 46 spline axles have me thinking :D
Need more info.
Thanks

Cone (http://www.coneindustries.com/offroad.htm)

Check out Camo's post in the General section on a busted one. It give a good ref. to the size of the 46 spline axle. Also check w/ PIG on the board. He hasPolyperformance (http://www.polyperformance.com) . He is the one that told me about another mini-spool coming out.

Let me know what you end up with.:D

Originally posted by rodzzilla
Cone (http://www.coneindustries.com/offroad.htm)

Check out Camo's post in the General section on a busted one. It give a good ref. to the size of the 46 spline axle. Also check w/ PIG on the board. He hasPolyperformance (http://www.polyperformance.com) . He is the one that told me about another mini-spool coming out.

Let me know what you end up with.:D

It turns out that Sandy Cone was gonna make the spools for DTD but they were kinda dickin him around. He is still gonna make them and we will have them available when they are done. I am not sure if DTD will have them though. I don't have an ETA but I would guess 2-3 months.