Over the weekend, I was at an antique tractor and steam show and had my first opportunity to drive my 99 2wd, V10, F350 Superduty in some muddy conditions. It was alomst as pitiful as my old '67 F250 2wd. The truck has an open differential, so I want to do something to help it out. I contacted www.differentials.com after reading some good posts about them. I told them that I was thinking about a Powertrax No-Slip because of cost and ease of installation. I don't abuse the truck or go off roading, so I didn't feel the need to go with a complete carrier replacement. They did not recommmend using a locker in my truck. They said that drivability would suffer and that it was too hard on the driveline considering I tow and use a truck camper. He suggested that I go with the OEM Limited Slip or a locker like an ARB that can be turned on and off. I have read a few posts that say the OEM Limited Slips don't really work that well and I don't think I really want to drop a $1000 in a locker and compressor. Now I am not sure what to think, but I really feel like I need to do something to keep from getting stuck in 2 inches of mud. I would appreciate any input.

 

I have no comment on most of your post, because I don't know. I do know, that I have the stock limited slip and it works fine. In fact, 100% better than I expected. Of course, our driving situations may be different but I have very little trouble in mud.

 

350,
Don't even think twice.....do it!! I have installed many, many different types of limited-slips, posi's and lockers in all types of vehicles, and my personal SD has a Detroit, and in these long wheelbase trucks, you don't even notice them, until you need them. 4WD trucks are marginal at best in serious 'wheeling with a factory limited slip..... 2wd trucks need all the traction you can get.
have a great day!!

Tim

 

The factory ls rear diff works fine and i've had one in every Ford truck that I've owned.

Now the problem is if its not setup from the factory correctly ,which there has been alot of them !

The clutch packs internal need to be setup with the proper shims and tension.

Even if you had a locker in a 2wd truck ,you still would get stuck ,because of the no weight over the rear axle!

I have nothing against the after market products
other than their to expensive

The person who could answer your ?

Is Jetjock ,he runs them and loves them!
He has a post down aways that shows they work!
But again he has a 4x4
Just My $.02

Rich

 

I have had to shift mine into 4x4 just to keep the spinning down due to the LS. I'm going to look into the POWER TRAX line or a Detroit.

 

Hey.. listen i have powertrax locker in front.. the performance is awsome when you need it to get you through the mud! BUT.. i have mine in the front axle(I run an Auburn Posi in back and love it!).. anyway as for the powertrax up front .. i cant even run on pavement with the hubs locked(not in 4x4) without the Extremely rough operation of the unit shaking and jerking the truck.and the unlocking noise is very loud....It is the most basic of lockers, meant for off road, no frills to help on pavement ride.. If you must go with a rear locker look at Detroits soft locker.. it was built with street manors in mind!... I tow 90% of the time my truck is driving, for that reason and after much reasearch.. i went with the Auburn rear and it is Outstanding.