Spartan Locker
The Spartan Locker is a newcomer to the game, and it was obviously designed by someone who has installed one or two lunchboxes in their time. The pins are bigger, there is no skinny screwdriver or right-angle pick games to play. Again, we sourced this unit from Randy's Ring and Pinion for all the reasons mentioned before, and at the time we went to print, it was the only game in town for this brand-new locker.
This is the only unit that includes a new hardened cross-pin shaft and retaining roll pin. If your cross-shaft is worn or not hardened it isn't recommended to use these lockers, and that can be a problem because the only way to figure it out is to disassemble the rear end. Then, if your existing cross-shaft doesn't meet specs, you get to put it all back together again and order another part, which wastes your time and money. Sure, you could order the new cross-pin when you order your locker, but it often isn't needed and then would be a needless expense. So we were both surprised and glad to see a cross pin in the box when we opened it.
The instructions are pretty good. They include way less information than the Aussie locker does, but there is still enough to get the job done. However, the kit came with four retaining wires to hold the alignment pins down for ease of install. The instructions talk about having to cut wire, which was a step we didn't need to do. So they lost a point there. Minor, sure, but these lockers were all so closely matched, we want to be sure to mention it.
This is the only locker that didn't require re-using the thrust washers (the washers between the side gear and the case, which keep the spinning gear from prematurely wearing the case out). We missed it in the instructions, as it wasn't too obvious, so we thought we'd mention it here. We were concerned that it would wear the case out, but the company points out that the locker is locked most of the time, so the gears don't spin much at all and wear really isn't an issue.
Once installed, it works off-road just like the others-spool-like traction even with a tire in the air. On-road it is a bit louder than the others around tight corners. We can't help but wonder if it is louder because the spring-rate seems higher than on the other lockers.
Hard Facts
Manufacturer: Yukon Gear
Model: Spartan Locker
Part number: SL D44-30
Price: $247 (including cross-pin)
Use thrust washers: No
Pros: Super easy install, comes with hardened cross pin
Cons: New, untried design, instructions could use some tweaking
Yukon Gear Mini-Spool
We decided to throw a mini-spool into the testing as a kind of baseline. A mini-spool is basically a Lincoln-locker for guys with no welder. There is no differentiation between the tires. The tires are always and constantly locked together. This means increased tire wear, but no worries about clicking or unloading on the freeway, in puddles, or anything. Also, it's cheap if you don't worry about how much quicker your tires might be wearing.
We grabbed this one from Randy's Ring and Pinion as well, and it didn't even hit triple digits in price. The install is pretty straightforward since there are only four parts to it. As such, the company didn't think that instructions were needed. But if you are new to pulling parts out of your carrier, this can make it intimidating. Basically remove the cross pin, then pull the spider gears, side washers, and thrust washers out of there. Put the side blocks in the carrier, and then slide in the cross blocks. Not that rough. The thrust washers don't matter anymore because those side blocks won't turn ever again until you break the carrier.
Once it's in there, it works like a welded differential or spool, as you might imagine. No clicking at all comes from the rear end because there is nothing moving in the carrier anymore. However, you will hear more tire scrubbing around corners. This could be a great way for you to decide if a full spool is for you without the added trouble of swapping bearings, shims, ring gear, and so on.
Hard Facts
Manufacturer: Yukon Gear & Axle
Model: Mini-spool
Part number: YP MINSD44-30
Price: $79
Use thrust washers: No
Instructions: N/A
Pros: Dirt cheap, nothing to ever go wrong
Cons: Increased tire wear, stress on stock case can't be good