I need help! I am going to bite the bullet and get an 09 F-150 but can't decide between two that I narrowed down at a local dealership. They are identical XLT's with all same accessories, one silver the other blue flame. Here is the the only difference: Silver has 3.31 non limited slip axle and the blue flame has 3.55 limited slip option. I tow a 1,500 pound trailer with ATV once in a blue moon. Will I get better mileage with the 3.31's, but will it search for power alot? I live in ND, so would the 3.55 limited slip be an advantage in the snow/ice? The salesman said that the non limited slip should be ok with the advanced track that the truck has. I'm not sure if he is correct. That is why I need all or your expertise. Thanks and much appreciated!
One thing to point out: Do the limited slip axles work on Fords as inteded? I keep reading posts where people are complaining about the LS. My 07 F250 don't work that great either. Believe me, I tried them out on many occasions. Or am I just trying to convince myself to get the 3.31's?
Ford LS clutch disks wear out fast. I would also assume that both trucks are 4wd? In ND I would hope so. I have had two late model 2wd trucks and took a real beating on trade in last may to get a 4wd. Not going back to 2wd anytime soon, and I am in MD's eastern shore which gets almost no snow. I like to drive on the beach though.
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2008 Ford F-150 XL CC, 4.6, 4x4, 6.5 bed, 3.73 LS
2008 Kia Sedona LX
Ford Truck I have owned:
1995 F-150 XLT RC, 5.0, 4x4 8ft bed, Auto, 3.55 LS
2004 F-150 XL SC, 4.2, 4x2 6.5 bed, Auto, 3.55 Open
2006 F-250 XLT CC, 5.4, 4x2, 6.5 bed, Auto, 3.73 LS
In a year, I tow maybe 5 times max at 1500 lbs. It is the traction that I am most concerned about. Will the non-limited slip 3.31's suck in the snow and ice, which I drive on 6 months out of the year? Or will the advance trac kick in and get me going without having to put in 4WD everytime I get in some snow or icy situations? Is the advance track like traction control?
keep in mind that a higher gear rear end will give you worse mpg in city driving conditions. 3.55 is a great gear. it's not that bad for mpg, you can still tow something with it, and it shouldn't "gear hunt" in highway conditions as much...
If your gonna get one of these two trucks, I would opt for the 3.55 LS truck. As stated before, great overall gear. I currently own a LS truck and it still works fine after 21 years. I've also owned reg axle trucks and engaged the front axle when I needed more traction.
Tim
__________________ SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
Rights of Passage: CPO Initiation, Submarine Qualified (SS), Golden Shellback, Blue Nose, Order of the Ditch
Get the limited slip....granted it doesn't work as well as i'd like it to (read be a full locker) but its for sure better than an open diff in the snow.....you'll wish you had gotten the ls if you don't....
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2007 Lariat screw - White Sand Tri Coat - chrome package - Black leather captains chairs - sunroof - audiophile - 20" Mark LT wheels - Color Matched Door handles -
2005 XLT scab -
1995 xlt scab - 13 inches of lift - SAS
Needed: 2004-2008 OEM cat back for F-150 supercrew
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